I have pretty much eliminated most of my unwanted junk mail, but Comcast still send me at least one letter a week, often addressed to “current resident.” I already called them and they said they would stop the letters, but they haven’t. Any suggestions for how to change their behaviors?

Name: Becca Ryals and Gordon Bennett

Week: 14

Location:Berkeley, California, United States

Personal Info:

two grad students and two cats trying to reduce our plastic waste.

Becca Ryals and Gordon Bennett’s personal blog: http://becca.posterous.com/

Total items: 11

Total weight: 0.59 ounces

Items: Recyclable
none

Items: Nonrecyclable
New:
two envelope windows
one cracker crate
two straws (I’m embarrassed but honest!)
plastic decoration on toothpick

Old:
three tea pouches
bulk bag
plastic bag

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Of the old plastic items, I’ve switched to bulk teas and cloth bags from etsy.

New plastics: The cracker wrapper was a result of a poorly-planned party. I have a recipe for crackers, and don’t need prepackaged cracker. The straws are absolutely avoidable, and I’m really embarrassed they are here (especially after participating in the letter writing campaign in April). I forgot to ask for no straw. I’ll be writing to this restaurant now too.

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

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
I am still relying on some kind of bag to scoop kitty litter. Recently, I have been saving the bag I find as litter, as long as they don’t have major holes.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
As always, being present and aware is the easiest way to avoid unwanted plastic waste.

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

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?