Plastic Challenge: Danielle, Week 22
Location:, North Carolina, United States
Name: Danielle
Week: 22
Personal Info:
We are collecting our plastic trash for all of 2011. Read about our family on my Week 1 post.
Danielle’s personal blog: http://itstartswithme-danielle.blogspot.com
Total items: 13
Total weight: 5.6 oz
Items: Recyclable
1 bucket (#2)
1 container from chevre (#5)
Items: Nonrecyclable
1 pretzel bag
2 gardein packages
1 smart dog package
2 milk jug caps
3 milk cap rings
1 tube cap (from tomato paste)
1 wrapping (from ketchup in glass)
What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
I’ve been buying tomato paste in a glass jar. The tube that I had was hidden away in my fridge!
Chevre: Since September, I’ve been taking my own containers to the farmers market for goat cheese… the following week he brings them back for me filled with whatever I requested. He wishes more people would bring their own containers! Oh… The reason I have this container is that we were out of town so I missed the farmers market the week before. (Yes, I caved.)
Bucket: I’ve had this bucket for probably 10 years! We pick loads of strawberries and I bought it from the strawberry farm. It finally broke when I was going to wash some berries and the handle broke out when the plastic cracked. Oh well. I won’t be purchasing any new buckets. Last time we went strawberry picking, I used a box (similar to what a flat of strawberries comes in).
What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
We hadn’t had pretzels in a long time. I’m wondering if I can make pretzels.
What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
Skipping the pretzels. They were a treat 😉
What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
When my bucket broke and my strawberries tumbled out all over my kitchen floor, I immediately thought of Captain Charles Moore and him saying, “Refuse that plastic junk. I mean, it’s just going to break and make you pissed off anyway.” He’s right you know.