Location:, North Carolina, United States

Name: Danielle

Week: 43

Personal Info:

52 weeks of collecting our family of 5’s plastic waste. For more info, see my week 1 post :)

Danielle’s personal blog: http://itstartswithme-danielle.blogspot.com

Total items: 16

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
1 Grape bag (#4) — recycle at plastic bag drop off at the grocery store
1 Citrasolv container (#2)– curbside

Items: Nonrecyclable
1 gardein package
1 window from spaghetti
2 produce ties
4 milk caps/rings (from milk in glass jugs
1 toothpaste tube (grrr)
1 toothpaste cap
1 cap (from Citrasolv)
3 lid/cap/base (from broken blender)

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Make spaghetti… I’ve been feeling lazy.

Toothpaste. Grr. When Tom’s made the switch to plastic, I said, “It’s just a recipe in a tube… I’ll make toothpaste.” BUT… I find myself scared that I’m going to screw up our teeth by attempting toothpaste. (I know you wrote a post about toothpaste, but I’m finding myself very hesitant.)

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Citrasolv: This bottle is probably somewhere around 3 years old. I used it very sparingly, but don’t really need it because I use vinegar and baking soda for pretty much everything :)

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
Grapes…my kids dig them… and I only buy them Organic USA grown… although I did recently purchase grapes in a paper bag :)

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?

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

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Months after the fact, I’m still bummed about Tom’s. Whoever convinced them that switching to plastic was better for the environment needs to be fired. (no offense)