Plastic-Free Living: Let’s Talk

As you read this, I am away on a meditation retreat recharging my batteries.  (Yeah, my batteries are rechargeable.)  I’m away from computers and phones and all the electronic means of communication.  I’m trying not to think about how crazy my email inbox will be when I return.

In the meantime, I’d love to know what questions you have about living plastic-free.  Some of them might be questions I myself still have!  And knowing what is important to you will help me figure out where to focus my attention in writing this blog.  I don’t always know what I’m missing until it hits me on the head.  (Please be gentle.)

Before commenting, you might want to check my list of plastic-free changes to see if your question has already been answered:  plasticfreeguide.com.

Another question: What is the most important reason for reducing plastic consumption? I find that people’s interest in this issue comes from various co… Read the rest

Men Less Plastic: What Do You Want?

Last week, after several posts about cosmetics, I promised one targeted to my male readers.  Here it is.  But women, of course, are encouraged to weigh in.

As most of you know, this blog is written by a female.  Genetically, physically, mentally female.  I couldn’t be, nor have I ever desired to be, any other gender.  (Okay, sometimes out of pure curiosity, I wish I could be a “Dude for a Day” just to see how it feels.  What woman hasn’t wished that at some point?) And I’ve noticed (and Quantcast confirms) that although I have a handful of regular, and truly special, male readers, most people who follow Fake Plastic Fish are female.  Certainly most who leave comments are female.

So I have some questions.  Since there are certainly men aspiring to live with less plastic, why don’t more of your persuasion visit this blog?

Is it simply that the writer is female, or is it that the topics are perceived to be female-cent… Read the rest

Find the plastic contest winner!

Last week I held a contest to find a big mass of plastic hidden in some photos from Vajrapani Retreat Center. And the winner is… JULIE who wrote, “I definitely think it’s the decking around the larger building. I’ve been at houses with the reclaimed plastic decking before.” Julie, please email me your address so I can send you the book.

Click to see larger sizes.

All who guessed that it was the railings or the decking on the bridge were on the right track. But the bridge and walkway are all wood, as are the handrails and all the wood of the deck structure (risers, etc.) around the building except for the floorboards themselves. So it was hard to tell at first that the steps and floor boards are plastic. I could tell by looking at the boards from the side. And also from the slipperiness of the boards after some rain.

I wanted to find out more info about the “greenness” of recycled plastic decking vs. Forest Steward… Read the rest

Vajrapani Retreat Center: find the plastic; win a prize!

Vajrapani Institute is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains. Care for the earth and all its creatures is one of its core practices, to the extent that the members try as much as possible to avoid killing even insects. This is where I spent the weekend, sitting in silence, listening to the birds, showering among the trees, and just having a moment to breath.

I love taking pictures, so on the last day of the retreat, I snapped a few to share with you. But so as not to lose the theme of this blog, let’s make a little contest. Who can identify a large mass of plastic hidden within one of these photos?  Next week, I’ll reveal the winner and also discuss the ramifications of this type of plastic and its use. But for now, just enjoy. You can click on each photo to see a larger version.

… Read the rest