Name: Billie Ryder

Week: 1

Personal Info:

A single gal with 2 cats. I am allergic to dairy and wheat which sometimes means I select food wrapped in plastic.

I thought that working two jobs would mean that I would be too much on the run to worry about the plastic but I think it mostly means I don’t have time for consumer consumption.

Total items: 9

Total weight: 2.5 oz

Items: Recyclable
Absolutely none.

Items: Nonrecyclable
2 take-out Styrofoam containers
carrot bag
Soy milk container and tab
plastic security ring from ice cream
candy wrapper
bulk food baggie
cracker bag

What items can I replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
I could easily replace the bag of carrots.

Bulk food baggie could have been easily replaced. I made an impetuous purchase and didn’t bring enough containers with me to deal with said purchase.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
The soy milk container is new because I used to buy milk in glass jar. Since discovering that dairy is no longer an option, I have added these containers to the outgoing garbage. *sigh*

The candy wrapper is also new because most candy has wheat in it so I can’t just head to the bulk bin for a sugar fix. *sigh* This candy is wheat and dairy free and absolutely yummy. If I can continue to source it, I will continue to buy it.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
The Styrofoam containers are a bit of an anomaly. I normally avoid these containers at all costs but I had someone come over to do some electrical work (for free) and this was my payment. It is one of the few places I can eat that is wheat and dairy free that my friend likes.

I could get rid of the crackers once I research trying to make wheat free bread in my bread maker. It is on my list of things to do.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I will make absolutely sure that no impetuous bulk food purchases will be made. No container – no purchase.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Wow! I really thought that my plastic consumption had gone way up and am rather surprised that only 9 items made it onto the list.