Name: Danielle

Week: 8

Personal Info:

We are collecting our plastic trash for all of 2011. Read about our family on my Week 1 post.

Total items: 15

Total weight: ? oops! forgot to weigh.

Items: Recyclable
The only plastic with a “number” is:

ketchup bottle #1

#1 is the most easily recyclable… or at least that’s what “they” want us to believe…

http://theflotsamdiaries.blogspot.com/2011/01/recycling-myth_28.html

Items: Nonrecyclable
2 tempeh packages
3 Ramen Noodle packages + 3 spice packets
2 rings from milk jug caps
1 cap from apple cider
1 pull tab (from Mirin)
1 tag from Green Onions
1 Gift Card

What items can I replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Ramen: We were all sick this past week and when my kids are sick all they ask for is Ramen. (I don’t get it). I can make my kids fresh soup even though they will still ask for these packaged noodles.

I’ve looked for ketchup in glass bottles… but can’t find any. My plan–this summer– is to make ketchup and bottle it.

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

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
Tempeh.

The gift card: We got when our kids had their picture taken with Santa. I could’ve said no thank you… but then I would’ve missed out on the $10. (wish they would’ve given a code on the back of the photo instead of the card.)

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
The biggest thing that I keep coming back to is: planning ahead. I should’ve made ketchup last summer. By the way, I wrote Annie’s about wanting ketchup in glass bottles and how Organic in plastic doesn’t make sense 🙂

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
Ramen. (Even if we get sick.)

Apple Cider. (the bottle is glass, but the cap is plastic)

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
This is my 5th week of the year and I’m not exactly jumping for joy over the amount of plastic we’ve been using…

This week things were bought specifically because we were sick (some will show up in later weeks) and I didn’t plan on being sick… I keep thinking that I need to have some sort of “plan” for the next time I get sick (but that could be in a year)… I’m trying to figure out how to plan for that…

Question:
If anyone has any ways that they cope with avoiding plastic while being sick (and not wanting to do anything)… I’d really love the tips.