Location:Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Name: Eve Stavros

Week: 24

Personal Info:

I recently retired early and moved from Florida to Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m fortunate to live in the basement apartment of my best friend’s beautiful log home, where I have time to garden, read, cook, play with my cat, Armani, and SLEEP! Living on a budget, but enjoying some travel — and most of all the time to enjoy the slow life.

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
plastic cutlery, straws, to-go containers

Total items collected: 18

Total weight: 2.2 oz

Items: Recyclable
new: milk bottle cap & ring #4 (1), plastic carrot bag #4 (2)
old: lids #4 (2)

Items: Nonrecyclable
New: envelope windows (7), tag ties (2)
Old: pen refill (1), highlighter (1), pen (1) waffle mix bag (1)

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
The carrot bag was from my housemate – I buy mine loose. The pens are from my stash and I only carry them in my purse. I have bought a cartridge-free glass fountain pen and a bottle of ink, which I use at home.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
Highlighters – I have a stash I am using up and haven’t bought any in years.

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

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?
The waffle mix was from a few years ago; which I finally used up I have found a good recipe for Belgian waffles I can make from bulk bin ingredients.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?