lids, printer cartridge packaging

Location:Standish, Maine, United States

Name: Sarah M. Braik

Week: 2

Personal Info:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
plastic lid on paper coffee cup–it was in a Starbucks in Boston and when they asked if I was sure I did not want a lid I announced rather loudly that I was giving up plastic. Quite a few people looked interested but I guess I missed a teaching opportunity here. Plastic wrap on 4 oz. cheese I bought from a larger block.

Total items collected: 35

Total weight: not known

Items: Recyclable
1 honey jar #1
1 pc. saran wrap from an ancient and very moldy piece of ginger in the fridge
2 vitamin bottles #1
1 package from frozen kelp
9 plastic thingummies that enable me to seal envelopes without licking them
1 plastic stamp sheet
1 toothpaste tube
1 mustard jar #1
3 lids from feta/yogurt jars
4 produce stickers
8 assorted lids
2 security doodads from new glass bottle of vitamins
1 plastic packaging from printer toner cartridge

Items: Nonrecyclable
none are recyclable except the 4 # 1 jars, which are recycled in my town.

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
vitamin jars–new ones are all glass
mustard–after I finish my stash I am making my own
honey jar–bought 3 pound jar of honey that I will reuse
saran wrap–haven’t used it since 3 months ago when I wrapped the ginger
envelopes with plastic strips
toothpaste tube–I still have one more in my stash and then I’ll switch to tooth powder
produce stickers–I actually looked through the organic oranges for ones without stickers–found 3

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
none of the above

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
some of the lids and security packaging, although I will inquire of Balfour Farms if they can use recyclable plastic or metal lids.
I don’t think I could bring myself to give up eating kelp daily, and don’t see how they could package it differently.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Cleaning may not be quite as easy.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I suspect the paper cup of coffee from Starbucks may have had plastic in it–will be sure to bring my ceramic coffee cup with me when I may want coffee while out.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Every week I am more astonished at the places I find plastic! I thought I would have less plastic week 2 but that was not the case. It will take me a while to use up all the plastic packaging I already have–and I thought I was mindful before that! I am also concerned about glass jars that I don’t have a reuse for–am trying to severely limit all throw away items.

I can’t think of any at the moment.

Location:Loveland, Colorado, United States

Name: Melissa

Week: 1

Personal Info:

34. Work from home (much easier to avoid plastic)

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)

3 grocery sacks
Coffee lid

Total items collected: 34

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
Seaweed snack trays (?) the number on the bottom is in Chinese?!
Arrowhead water bottle #1
(4)Gallon water jugs #2
1 plastic produce/meat bag
2 chicken liver containers & lids (dog food) #5
1 take out sauce cup & lid #5
3 sample cups (they have no number but are the same stuff as the takeout cup)
1 clamshell from blackberries
1 bottle fish oil pills #2
1 boba tea cup #5
Our city takes plastics 1-7 for recycling, and the grocery stores accept plastic bags, including ziplock.

Items: Nonrecyclable
3 outer wraps of seaweed snacks
Saran Wrap from take out crystal rolls
Plastic sleeve from high end greeting card
2 plastic grinders from pepper mills
1 safety wrapper from pepper grinder
2 straws
2 fortune cookie wrappers
1 bread tie
Seal from goat milk carton (temporarily repurposed as cat toy)
Bread bag
Window from paper artisan bread bag
Bulk spice ziplock bag (will reuse)
Wrapper from 30lb case of turkey necks (dog food)

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
The produce/meat bag. The bulk spice bag.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Straws! (I just need to get in the habit of specifying that I don’t need one) I know there are glass ones, but I see no need for straws, period.
Bread. I’m not supposed to be eating it anyway.

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
For me, the water jugs. I live in the boonies and our water is horrid. It’s not just the taste, it literally makes me ill. I tried doing jug refills at the grocery store but the water is so over filtered, there are no minerals or anything in it and i got sick, i need the minerals. No one delivers water to my house (I checked, wanting the five gallon jugs). I kick myself every time I buy water, but I haven’t been able to find an alternative.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Make my own crystal rolls instead of getting them take-out. Get my dogs organ meat from the butcher in my own container or buy them in bulk.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
Straws. Bread wrappers. And I’ll make an effort on the organ meat.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Eventually we will run out of petroleum and we will be forced to stop using plastic!

How can I cut down my individual consumable items such as string cheese? Also since I work crazy hours (it’s D.C.) what convenience foods are available that have no plastic?

Location:WASHINGTON, District of Columbia, United States

Name: Dara C

Week: 1

Personal Info:

I’m a 20 something girl living in Washington, D.C. I’m originally from a small town in Tennessee so I love traveling and exploring my new city. I currently live with 2 other girls in DC in a small apartment. Recently I attended the DC Environmental Film Festival and that spurred by interest in being more eco friendly.

Dara C’s personal blog: http://ecolifecrisis.blogspot.com/

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
Lids
Straws
Plastic Utensils
plastic bags

Total items collected: 36

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
3 water bottles
3 Mountain Dew Bottles
1 Gallon Sweet Tea
1 Tide Detergent Bottle
1 Bottle Conditioner
2 Bottle Shampoo
1 Box pasta noodles (plastic window)
1 McDonalds Cup
1 ice pack container

Items: Nonrecyclable
4 Straws
2 Styrofoam Cups
1 Candle lighter package
1 Hair Accessory Package
1 Pore Strip Packaging
3 Granola Bar packages
1 ramen package
1 bread plastic
1 plastic package for fresh Parsley
1 plastic six-pack ring
1 bag shredded cheese
1 individual string cheese wrapper
1 oatmeal lid
1 bag Doritos
1 bag Ruffles potato chips
1 styrofoam take out container (not pictured)

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Drink items can be stored in reusable stainless steel bottles
Straws can be replaced with a glass straw
Plastic Utensils can be replaced with metal utensils
Shampoo and Conditioner can be replaced with No-Poo (currently trying it, but not loving it)

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Granola Bars (though I would want another fast snack)
String Cheese
Chips (these were leftovers from a camping trip)
Bills or other mail with plastic windows
candle lighter (I could use matches

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
trash bags (my roommates aren’t open to the idea of composting)

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
I need to change my eating and cooking habits. I work a lot of weird hours for my job and most of the time I don’t have the chance to cook and it look for convenience foods.
I should look into bringing my own to-go containers with me.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
This week I changed from using plastic utensils and paper plates at work to bringing my own dish and utensils.
I want to look into using bulk bins more, though this will take extra planning since I’ve never made items like dry beans before.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Most of the plastic I use is for convenience items. To make big plastic changes in my life I need to make sure that I plan my meals and time to fit this lifestyle.

Catfood bags–I don’t think I am prepared to make my own catfood.

Location:Standish, Maine, United States

Name: Sarah M. Braik

Week: 1

Personal Info:

I live with two roommates who I am slowly and I think successfully training to recycle, but they eat a LOT of packaged food. We eat separately, except for the occasional holiday meal that I prepare. I belong to a food coop and was already hardly ever buying processed food. I signed up for the plastic challenge over a month ago and have been refusing, reducing, etc. but just never got around to saving the stuff and photographing it. I’m glad I did, because I realize I have more plastic around than I thought I did. And I am disgusted by all the plastic I see at the grocery store!

Sarah M. Braik’s personal blog:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
all grocery bags–I bring my own.
greek yogurt when I ran out and the store was out of the kind in the returnable jar that I buy from the coop.
water in plastic gallon jugs and served in plastic cups at a function–and I was thirsty!
Coffee served in a styrofoam cup at a meeting.

Total items collected: 22

Total weight: No idea

Items: Recyclable
ice cream carton #2–recyclable.
1 quart jug that buttermilk came in–#2 recyclable
2 plastic lids from buttermilk jugs–#4 recyclable

Items: Nonrecyclable
Packaging from 16 oz. bags of spelt and rye flakes that I bought by the case last spring and am still using up–not recyclable.
Packaging from a ten pound box of dried cherries I bought at the coop–the bag they were in and the plastic tape from the box that the bag was in–not recyclable.
The scotch tape that attached a paper name tag at another meeting at which I knew no one–not recyclable.
Two bits of foam that shredded off from an ancient hanger from some long-forgotten dry cleaning.
1 ice cream carton paper lined with plastic–not sure if it’s recyclable, but will find out.
anchovy can–I’m pretty sure they recycle the metal but not the plastic lining.
2 plastic twist ties, one with a nasty plastic sign that wrapped up the kale I bought at whole foods because I ran out of arugula from the coop.
2 plastic stickers from oranges.
plastic wrapper around lid of paper ice cream carton.
plastic wrapper from a five-pound bag of popcorn I bought last year.
backing from a postage stamp–I was utterly dismayed that the post office no longer sells stamps you can lick, but only those with plastic backing
plastic pour spout and cap from a bottle of vinegar.
Plastic wrapper around the cork of a bottle of wine–I forgot when I bought it to look for foil, although I suspect even if it looks like foil it is plastic.
Plastic wrapper from a 12 pack of toilet paper.
Not shown–dental floss, supermarket double-bag that I scooped my cat litter into, and small piece of plastic wrap from a brownie I ordered in a restaurant.

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
I have ordered a case of Seventh Generation Toilet paper wrapped in paper. The local farm I get my buttermilk from is in the process of replacing their plastic jugs with returnable glass jars–yay!
I can buy anchovies in jars.
I actually look for oranges in the store whose plastic labels have fallen off.
I have ordered plastic-free dish scrubbie things.
I am in the process of using up my last plastic bottle of liquid handwashing soap and have switched to bar soap.
Liquid laundry detergent.
Dental floss, toothpaste, mouthwash.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Will not purchase spelt and oat flakes again since not available in bulk.
shampoo, dish detergent–already switched to bar soap, deodorant, conditioner, cleaning spray.
RyVita Crackers and canned tunafish, once I use up the case I have now.
Stain remover

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
I thought a month ago I could give up ice cream, but this week it suddenly seemed essential.
Body lotion–I have terrible dry skin.
Postage stamps.
Although I put very little into it, I buy plastic kitchen trash can liners because my roommates eat a lot of meat, and I have to put my trash in the trunk of my car to take it to the dump. We do compost all the vegetable matter.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
I am really attached to my hair products, so that is going to be a tough lifestyle change.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
Toilet paper packaging.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Plastic has been sneaked into everything!

I already choice out of catalogs/junk mail through 41pounds.org/DMA Choice, but what do you do about the Presorted US Standard junk mail including local merchants? I received two mailers from a local jeweler packaged in plastic sleeves. Also, does anyone know of any cough drops NOT packaged in plastic?

Location:Denver, Colorado, United States

Name: Julie Buck

Week: 3

Personal Info:

Julie Buck’s personal blog:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
I bought green tea and lentils in bulk and found a small bottle of ketchup in old-fashioned glass. I used my stainless water bottle at a Chipotle instead of getting a plastic-lined cup and used my bamboo To-Go ware instead of a plastic fork. I also let my kids have Izze’s in a glass bottle instead of milk in the little plastic-lined carton…going to work on ALWAYS having a water bottle along for them, too…not just me.

Total items collected: 28

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
Veggie broth carton; two deli salad takeout containers (This was fantastic–my husband brought them home and asked for ideas about how to get the deli he frequents to be more sustainable–I suggested he bring his own container and he agreed!); sugar sprinkles/cookie decorations containers; single-serving plastic milk jug my son bought with his bagel;plastic lid from glass milk bottle.

Items: Nonrecyclable
Frozen waffle sleeve; buffalo meat packaging; Styrofoam takeout container; dried apricot bag; seal from glass bottle of yogurt; plastic window from bread; tea bag wrapper; plastic shoelace package; fruit and veggie stickers; cough drop bags; sour cream lid liner; two plastic envelopes from junk mail; candy bags; plastic rings from six pack of beer; lollipop stick; plastic top; Starbucks bag.

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
I still need to make waffles and freeze them to avoid having my husband buy frozen waffles, which he loves. Tea, coffee, and dried apricots can be found in bulk–usually I buy these in bulk, but we are using up plastic items that we had hanging around. I should take my own takeout container to avoid plastic/Styrofoam. My daughter could look for unpackaged shoelaces and delay instant gratification. Glass beer bottles or canned beer by the case do not have plastic rings. Veggie broth could be made from scratch (easily–just have to make time). My son can drink from a water bottle and avoid milk in a plastic bottle. I can purchase buffalo from the deli counter, where it is wrapped in paper/waxed lining or bring my own container if they will accept it (sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t).

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
I am willing to give up most things in plastic; however, as I account for my family’s plastic consumption, as well, there are some things they may be unwilling to give up. They are catching on, though, and maybe they will be willing to give up some plastic items that they think they “can’t live without.”

Also, communication is key: my husband brought home dessert from a nice restaurant for me when he was dining out for work, which was very thoughtful, however the cake was in a Styrofoam takeout container! I told him that next time, he could just skip bringing dessert home for me, but I would still know he was thinking of me.

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
What do you do about sour cream? This is not necessarily essential to life, but it seems essential when you are making Mexican tacos, burritos, etc.

Fruit and veggie stickers!

Plastic tops and seals for glass jars.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Again, making sure I don’t run out of our bulk staples and anticipating needs (such as buying fig bars in bulk, when I know my husband loves those for long bike rides). Choosing to take the time to make things from scratch.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I am willing to replace any packaged meat with deli counter alternatives.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Even if I think I am making better choices, there is still just too much plastic. I am irritated, especially, at the fruit and veggie stickers. I need to spend a day making stock, baking, and coming up with plastic free meal plans!

anything

Location:Santa Ana, California, United States

Name: Anh Chi Pham

Week: 1

Personal Info:

I live with my parents, grandfather, and brother. Sometimes I eat what my mother cooks, but I like cooking for myself.

Anh Chi Pham’s personal blog:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
I tried not to change my habits bc I wanted to see what I was using

Total items collected: 38

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
6 produce bags, yogurt tub, hummus and dip tub, 2 twistie ties

Items: Nonrecyclable
3 trader joes salad bags, 1 bread bag, 6 victoria secret bags (for 5 mail-ordered undies), zuchinni tray and wrapper, 2 cucumber wrappers, little dresser container, strawberry basket, two tea bags, 2 kombucha caps and wrappers, food bar wrapper, parsley tag

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
i could buys loose zuchinnis at mother’s market instead, i am making my own hummus

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
i don’t usually buy undies via catalog but this was essential to get the colors i wanted, i could’ve gone to the store and maybe use less plastic…

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
it seems like the food tubs are essentail unless i decide to make everything for myself, and the food wrappers

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
cook more and also bring lunch, that’s where i use lots of plastic when i eat out at places like whole foods etc

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
i will order some bamboo utensils and pack my napkins

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
i just noticed that plastic was in everything, from my cucumbers being wrapped to the twist ties in the bulk bin, to the pen that i used, to that phone that i’m taking the picture with…

What suggestions do you have for freezing fruits/veggies without plastic bags? Also, does anyone know if you can freeze yogurt? Our summer farmer’s market will allow your own containers for yogurt, but we eat yogurt all year, not just in summer. Thanks!

Location:Denver, Colorado, United States

Name: Julie Olsen Buck

Week: 2

Personal Info:

Julie Olsen Buck’s personal blog:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
I refused to-go sushi that is packaged in a plastic container, as well as plastic cutlery (I have a bamboo set that I keep in my purse.) I made sure to buy bulk chocolate chips, cereal, granola, and nuts–all of these are normally in a plastic package of some sort. I refused to buy my kids any more of the single serving smoothies by Odwalla, even though they say they use a “plant bottle.” I did better about remembering my stainless steel mug for tea and stainless water bottle.

Total items collected: 23

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
Only 8 items were recyclable: 3 yogurt containers, two strawberry boxes, Jif peanut butter jar, syrup bottle, and a plastic container that held candy.

Items: Nonrecyclable
Plastic netting bag from Cuties; cheese packaging; magazine wrapper; wrapper from magnetic strips I bought for a craft project; fruit/veggie stickers; tortilla bag; candy wrapper; liner from box of crackers; Girl Scout cookie liner; Milk tops/seals; plastic seal from glass yogurt container; plastic window from paper bread bag; seal from pickle jar; plastic-lined pasta bag that I thought was paper.

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
The plastic lined pasta bag could be replaced with the usual box of pasta with small plastic window. Oranges can be purchased bulk, without the netting. I need to ask my mom not to renew the magazine subscription that comes packaged in plastic; I read other magazines from the library. I discovered that I could purchase magnetic strips with less packaging. I can choose a different type of bread from the bakery that is not prepackaged. While I eat plain yogurt from a glass bottle, my husband and children will only eat varieties packaged in plastic, so my selection is easily replaced but not the others.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
As with last week, I am willing to give up Girl Scout cookies and packaged candy (my dad sent a gift box full of many different wrapped varieties that will show up in my plastic count for a while).

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
Fruit and veggie stickers!!

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
I see that I need to continue to do more to limit processed foods in our household. Even though we eat far less than many others, I still see lots of room for improvement. I think I need to focus more on grains available in bulk for our meals, less on pasta, which I cannot find in bulk in my area. I need to a lot more time to meal preparation so that I rely less on convenience foods. Also, I need to get busy in the summer canning and freezing!

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I am willing to avoid purchasing crackers, and offering my kids some bakery bread instead. I am also going to try making my own soft pretzels to satisfy their carb cravings.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Don’t assume that everyone knows why you are trying to eliminate plastic or why it is important. Ask them what they are willing to do to help, and look for ways to reduce plastic consumption if complete elimination is unattainable or making them very grumpy! Be grateful for small changes from those around you.

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated, especially as it relates to sharing the need to go plastic-free with family, friends, and acquaintances without sounding “preachy.”

Location:Denver, Colorado, United States

Name: Julie Olsen Buck

Week: 1

Personal Info:

I am a stay-at-home mom of two school-age children (ages 9 & 11), happily married, and a very active community/school/church volunteer.

Julie Olsen Buck’s personal blog:

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
This week I tried to consume my “normal” amount of plastic, which has been reduced somewhat over the past year as I have tried to chip away at all our family’s waste in general.

Total items collected: 34

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
Molded plastic cookie liner; mouthwash bottle; laundry scoop; yogurt container; orange juice carton; plastic liquid medicine measuring cups; take-out bowl/lid; salad dressing bottle; milk top band; brown sugar bag. (Made a list but forgot to record recycling #–not a good reader of instructions!)

Items: Nonrecyclable
Two frozen vegetable bags; frozen French fry bag; plastic wine cork; fruit/vegetable stickers and tags; chicken sausage wrapper; Starbuck’s coffee bag; lightbulb packaging; frozen waffle liner; cereal liner; candy wrappers; tape dispenser; ball of duct tape/packaging tape; cookie package; Girl Scout cookie sleeve; two stray bottle tops; plastic wrap from cheese; inner core from Scotch tape; zipper pull from express mail envelope; Vitamin bottle band from Omega 3′s, box of candy band.

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
A lot of items listed this week are items that I have already replaced with plastic-free alternatives; however, when I am not organized with the shopping and my husband runs out to grab things at the store, more plastic appears. This was one of those weeks. Easily (and usually) replaced items are: store bought cookies, frozen French fries, coffee bag, salad dressing, frozen waffle bag, brown sugar bag, plastic tape, and packaged cereal. I consume yogurt in a glass bottle (with plastic cap), but I could begin to make my own yogurt. My husband and kids eat a different kind of yogurt packaged in plastic.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
I think most of my items have a plastic-free alternative; however, I am willing to give up almost all the items that do not have a plastic alternative, but some items my family insists on (although I am working on it…).

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
Essential items include prescription medications.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Better organization and more time spent thinking ahead for non-plastic options. For me, I know that I need to take time to carefully meal plan and have an ongoing list of needed household items so that I can keep our home stocked with what we need without running out. When we run out and someone else does the shopping, more plastic enters our home.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I am personally willing to give up the take-out plastic salad bowl that I order on our almost weekly pizza night. I will make my own salad or eat pizza in a restaurant, where I can eat salad plastic free.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Plastic is everywhere. It is ridiculous how much plastic we use to eat and run our daily lives. I have also realized that I cannot expect everyone else to get to the same place I am at in thinking about plastic overnight. That being said, I need to be more willing to speak up about non-plastic options with other people.

Is there an alternative to plastic packaging for frozen food?

Location:Woking, United Kingdom

Name: Rachael Hunter

Week: 1

Personal Info:

I have always been known as the environmental one in my group of friends and I thought it was about time I stopped talking about giving up using plastic and start DOING it instead. I am currently living in rented accomodation with one other house mate who is supportive of reducing the amount of plastic in the house- but needs more convincing that it is possible!

My first love is the sea, and what is going to keep me going through this challenge is knowing that I will no longer be potentially adding to the toxic soup of plastic floating around in the sea.

Rachael Hunter’s personal blog: http://www.plasticpelagicproject.com

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
1 straw
2 plastic bags

Total items collected: 43

Total weight: 226 grams

Items: Recyclable
1 milk bottle
3 drinks bottles
2 yoghurt pots
1 cake tray

Items: Nonrecyclable
crisp packets
chocolate bar wrappers
frozen food bag
plastic window for food container
mirowave meal packaging

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
plastic wrapping from sandwich boxes
milk/ drinks bottles

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Microwave meals
Crisps
Chocolate bars

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

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Cutting out convenience food. Organising myself so that make lunch to take to work.
I think I will need to start making my own beauty and cleaning products and growing my own food.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
The plastic bag

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
I think a really positive side effect of kicking my plastic habit will be that I get a lot healthier as I will not be eating any convenience food!

Does anybody know how can I make my own Greek style yogurt?
Any amazing gluten-free pizza crust recipes out there?

Location:, California, United States

Name: Jaimee Law

Week: 1

Personal Info:

Jaimee Law’s personal blog: http://jlawsexcellentadventures.blogspot.com/

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
Straws, disposable utensils, plastic produce bags, disposable meal containers, plastic baggies for bulk items, plastic blueberry containers from the farmer’s market

Total items collected: 19

Total weight: 1.5 lb

Items: Recyclable
yogurt container, shampoo bottle, hand soap dispenser, blueberry container

Items: Nonrecyclable
plastic wrappers, shrink wrap, shredded cheese bag, chia seeds bag, spaghetti wrapper

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Greek style yogurt with the French kind in a Mason jar… but it is not the same texture! And it doesn’t taste as good. So… I want to make my own, because I really like Greek yogurt.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Gluten free pizza crusts, imitation cheese, shampoo and conditioner, wine that comes with a plastic cork

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

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
Learn to make Perfect Foods Bars, learn to make Greek style yogurt, research wines that have plastic corks, be a better homemaker;)

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
Pizza crusts with cling wrap. Perhaps I could purchase the dough from Whole Foods before the crusts are baked and frozen… I could bring my own container for the dough and make it at home!

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
There are definitely alternatives. I was running low on deodorant and instead of purchasing a new crystal (which never worked that well after a few hours, anyway!) I made my own! The recipe was extremely inexpensive and easy to make.