Location:Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Name: Eve Stavros

Week: 3

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-wrapped Lindt candy – yay, my weakness!!! plus the usual BUCS (bags, utensils, cups, straws)

Total items collected: 6

Total weight: .8 oz

Items: Recyclable
Milk bottle cap – #4
Vodka bottle cap – #5
My town has a recycling center w/appropriate bins where we can bring our plastic

Items: Nonrecyclable
Old items: pickling spice bag, gin bottle cap
New item: Revolution flea medicine packaging

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
pickling spices – I’ve got one more pouch to use up, but have found a recipe for homemade that I like.
liquor bottle caps – find brands w/metal caps, or at least recyclable

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
flea treatment – this was a one-off for a stray kitten I rescued who had fleas. Didn’t want her to spread them to my old boy cat while I foster her.

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

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?
Individually wrapped candy – I’ve found that the M&M Reese’s come in a box with NO plastic packaging. So, I have these on hand to satisfy the sweet craving when my housemate offers the plastic-wrapped Lindt truffles.

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
Some weeks are lighter than others…thankfully!