Location:Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Name: Eve Stavros

Week: 8

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!)

Straws, water bottles

Total items collected: 9

Total weight: 2 oz.

Items: Recyclable
Water bottle – #1
Milk bottle cap – #4
Spice bottle (old) – #5

Items: Nonrecyclable
water bottle cap
prescription drop seal
packing tape
hook from socks
sticker from car service
peanut package
cough drop package

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
The water & nuts were from a trip I took – needed to pack more snacks from home. The spices I now buy in bulk and store in stainless – this is from my old stash.

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

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
The cough drops – got sick on vacation and was miserable!!!

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
More planning ahead to have enough snacks from home, or purchase plastic-free. Find bulk stores wherever possible when I travel and be prepared w/my own bags!

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

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?