Comments on: Plastic Challenge: Rebecca M, Week 2

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:06:56 +0000

Hi Anne. I just checked into the Stahlbush biodegradable bag. Sadly, it’s petroleum-based plastic. I just wrote about it today:

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2011/03/stahlbush-biodegradable-frozen-fruits-and-vegetables-bag-its-plastic/

By: EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca)

EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 05:26:21 +0000

Ha! When you said the “Asian answer” I was picturing sticking a chop stick in my ear! I’ll check out j-list.com.

I just got a half yard of burlap and have great plans to make some home made scrubbies. I’ll let everybody know how it turns out.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:41:59 +0000

As to ear cleaners, why not check out the Asian answer? In Japan (and other Asian countries I think) they use a small bamboo…tool to clean out their ears. You see them everywhere if you visit. I bought my boyfriend one off j-list.com they work great! Just don’t stick them in too far…I think there is even an ear cleaning fetish.
NEways, I have some natural dish scrubbers from Target. 3M or whatever. Made from agave bits I think. Whole Foods & other places sell loofah type dish & veggie scrubbers.

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:59:29 +0000

Hi Rebecca. I found those Swisspers cotton swabs at a local pharmacy in my area, but the cardboard box came wrapped in plastic!

The copper scrubbers don’t give me a “fingers on chalkboard” feeling, but your mileage may vary.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:04:28 +0000

Rebecca, Please report back on the cotton swabs – I’ve been looking for that too. Regarding frozen veggies, the Stahlbush brand has a biodegradable bag.

By: EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca)

EcoCatLady (AKA Rebecca) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:17:16 +0000

Hi Beth,

Well, I think I’ve found plastic free cotton swabs: http://www.iherb.com/Swisspers-Organic-Essentials-Organic-Cotton-Swabs-180-Count/14991. I guess I won’t know for sure until I buy some. I’m also gonna check out a little local eco-shop and see if they carry anything.

The copper scrubbers seem like they’re worth a try. I fear the “fingernails on chalkboard” sound that they might make though… have you noticed anything like that? I was actually thinking that I might try to get some burlap and make something by hand. I’ll let you know.

OK… so your scorched pot story made ME laugh out loud! I can’t believe you actually opened up the computer to find the smell! When I told my boyfriend about the Diva Cup (he’s NEVER gonna let me live it down BTW) his response was “didn’t I buy you a timer last time you did something like this?” Oh yeah… he did…

You know, I think that I just chaffe against the regimentation of having to time things, or ANY regimentation for that matter. I spent my entire youth being a hyper-achiever and leading a life of every-minute-scheduled-misery. So the whole of adult life has been spent rebelling against all of that. Boy, that flaming Diva cup sure showed “them” didn’t it? :~) (I’m still not sure who “they” are, but I’m bound and determined get back at “them” whoever they are!)

Anyhow, vintage thread on eBay is an EXCELLENT idea! I may have to go bid on some right now! And I’m considering writing a letter to the plumbing company who sent me all of the plastic crap. I’m not good at that sort of thing, but I’m gonna give it a go.

At the moment I’m watching the national figure skating championship (which I’m totally loving BTW) but I am appauled by all of the plastic water bottles! Maybe I’ll write them a letter too!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 09:46:31 +0000

Rebecca,

First: OMG YOU FOUND COTTON SWABS IN A PLASTIC-FREE BOX???!!!??? Please share. I have been looking for something like that forever.

Okay now… I’m so sad for your Diva Cup and squirter, but your post made me laugh out loud. I can’t put anything on the stove without setting the timer because I WILL forget about it. That’s not even a question anymore.

Here’s my own burned plastic story: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2009/03/sweet-smell-of-burning-plastic/

For scrubbing, I use baking soda and copper scrubbers that come in a cardboard box. Zero plastic.

http://www.choreboyscrubbers.com/Products/Ultimate%20Scrubbers%20Pure%20Copper.aspx

As for the tape and bubble wrap envelopes, you could use it OR you could donate it to someone else who would be using that stuff anyway. Just a thought. I gave away some plastic supplies like that on Freecycle.

Oh, and marketing crap: I have another great story for you. Actually 2 great stories. This one is about Comcast:

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2007/08/success-my-letter-to-comcast/

And this one about Valley Yellow Pages:

http://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/02/dear-valley-yellow-pages-sorry-i-was-mean/

The point is to speak up.

As for thread, it used to come on wooden spools, but I haven’t seen those in a long time. You can still get old thread from eBay and places like that on wooden spools:

http://collectibles.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=thread+spools+wood&_sacat=14083&_odkw=thread+spools&_osacat=14083&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

I’m going to order some thread on wooden spools tonight, in fact, I think.