Name: Christina L.

Week: 1

Personal Info:

This is for Amy Chovnick’s Ecology 10 class. My name is Christina and I currently live in the San Francisco bay area. I am currently engaged and to be married by July, 2010. I work for an optometrist office and I hope to make a career for myself as a registered nurse some day soon!

Total items: 41

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
12 plastic bags
6 plastic bottles
8 food wrappers
8 plastic utensils
7 plastic containers

Items: Nonrecyclable
I am not too sure if I can recycle the plastic bags and the food wrappers.

What items could I easily replace with plastic-free or less plastic alternatives?
I could replace plastic beverage bottles with stainless steel reusable bottles. I could also use class storage containers. I could also take a cotton bag to pick up groceries in.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic-free alternative doesn’t exist?
If a plastic-free alternatie doesn’t exist, I would be willing to give up my individually packaged snacks and instead make my own.

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
Essential plastic items include medical equiptment and items or toothbrushes. For bacterial purposes these items must be tossed.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
In order to reduce my plastic consumption I need to be sure to bring with me metal untensils that I can wash and reuse. I also need to carry cotton bags to take to the grocery store with me. I also need to use beverage bottles that I can reuse.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
One plastic item I am willing to give up for this week would be my snack items.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
I think that society has the potential to become more eco-consciences but it may have to be induced by taxation on waste items.