Dealing with others who think you are a nut, refusing plastic outside the home, getting over how depressing it is to see plastic everywhere. I have a hard time saying “no” to people.

Location:, Pennsylvania, United States

Name: Katie Dettra

Week: 1

Personal Info:

Young pregnant wife and mother trying to lower my waste especially my plastic usage.

List of plastic items REFUSED this week. (Yay!)
Grocery bags, produce bags, take out cups/straws.

Total items collected: 26

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
water bottle
peanut butter jar
nut jar

Items: Nonrecyclable
cheese wrappers, hair care bottles, milk caps, snack bags, coffee bags, shampoo bottles, envelope windows

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
Food items, shampoo.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
snacks, take out food

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

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
cooking from scratch.

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

What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?
I need to push for a loose bulk foods store to open near me.