June 2, 2009
Vanessa in Vista Week 2
![IMG_0184[1]](https://myplasticfreelife.com/plastic-challenge-pix/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/IMG_01841.jpg)
1) Week #2: May 18th to 24th
2) Name: Vanessa Farmer
3) List of Recyclable Items
tofu container (#2 plastic that is being recycled)
4) List of Non-recyclable Items
-2 styrofoam meat trays with plastic film (only one is in the picture because it was thrown out at the beginning of the week)
-sugar bag
-herb box
-styrofoam box from leftovers
-2 lids and 2 straws from fast food cups
-cheese wrapper
-1 envelope with a plastic window
-plastic cover from set of hooks
-fig bar tray and wrapper (those things are so addicting)
-cap from box of chicken broth
-1 plastic grocery bag from buying insoles (not in picture but I did put the meat tray in a plastic bag left over from some previous shopping trip so let’s pretend it’s that bag)
-package for shoe insoles (been getting really sore feet from working on them all day)
-bubble wrap lined mailer (mailer for cat meds)
-plastic foam padding from mailing for my cat(not pictured, forgot to add it to the pile)
-safety seal wrap from a bottle top (bottle of liquid for my cat)
5) Total number of items
21
21
6) Total weight of plastic stash (if you are able to do this)
no scale
no scale
7) Tally analysis
What items could I easily replace with plastic-free or less plastic alternatives?
Remembering to give the checkout person at the drugstore my reusable bag and stop being a chicken about it. At non grocery store places I feel quite self conscience about using my own bags and I really don’t know why. I am a shy person but I am strong willed and don’t usually have a problem with that type of stuff, I don’t know why I can’t take a bag out of my purse to put my purchases item into.
What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic-free alternative doesn’t exist?
I could technically give up the fig bars but they are really good so I probably won’t.
How many of these items are from “convenience” foods that could be made from scratch with less packaging but might take more time to prepare?
Still a few fast food items but not as much as the week before, but I did not either week change much in my habits.
What items are essential and seem to have no plastic-free alternative?
I could buy my sugar in bulk but I much prefer the organic and fair trade I can get although it’s in a bag, I probably go through one bag a month if that. I also still don’t have reusable bags so I would be trading one bag for another at this point.
I bought a living mint plant from the grocery store, I did re-plant it but it’s not looking so good.
Insoles, they work great and paired with stretching I have been doing my feet feel so much better, definitely a good purchase.
The plastic from the mailings is a regular thing, it is a holistic remedy for my fur chewing cat. She likes to chew the fur off her belly and has had hairball blockage issues in the past. This holistic remedy is AMAZING. I think I buy a bottle every two months. She was doing well off the remedy until I went on vacation and that added stress was too much for her and she started chewing again. I have a post about my bald belly kitty on my blog, mudpuddle, and I am in the process of chronicling her extreme bald belly to a fully furred belly at the moment and will have a post on that in a few months probably.
What lifestyle change(s) might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?
I want to go vegetarian but that would entail cooking two different meal every night and after a month of actually going vegetarian I gave up. We actually didn’t purchase any less meat in that month because I am a small person and I don’t eat all that much to begin with and I definitely don’t eat that much meat even when we do cook it.
What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?
I’m waiting for the week my will prevails and I don’t consume fast food…I think I might be waiting awhile.
What other conclusions, if any, can I draw?