Name: Sarah Schmiechen

Week: 3

Personal Info:

See my full description in my Week 1 Challenge Post.

Total items: 11 pictured, plus more

Total weight:

Items: Recyclable
Milk container (#1)

Items: Nonrecyclable
Two coffee bags
Ribbon and sticker from a bar of soap
Envelope with window
Cheese wrapper
various produce bags and twist tie
Some wrapping that I can’t remember what it was
Not pictured: plastic garbage bags, meat packaging

What items can I easily replace with plastic free or less plastic alternatives?
I started buying coffee in paper and will also try and use a jar for
the bulk aisle.

The bar of soap was a present. I used it this week when I switched our
pump hand soap dispensers to ceramic soap dishes with bar soap. I will
buy soap with no plastic when I get it next.

We joined a meat CSA so hopefully that will have less packaging.

Still working on the produce bags.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn’t exist?
None this week.

What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
I haven’t yet found cheese in my area that comes without packaging,
even at the farmers market. Will keep looking.

What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
I switched our hand soap to bar soap, and also switched to bar shampoo,but I need to also find a conditioner replacement.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I will work on the envelopes and the produce bags.

Please help…
Plastic free hair care for fine hair. I tried baking soda and vinegar last year and it didn’t work well for me. The bar soap is fine. What about bar conditioners?