It'sssssss baaaaaaaack!
Almost.
I'm really excited for this year's Plastic Free July because I've lost some of my eco edge since getting married. I can't ask Husband to go above and beyond like I do (he already does compared to before we started dating), but maybe we can find a couple new ways that are easy for us to eliminate plastic from our lives...
And, no, things that can be recycled don't count! Plastic is "downcycled" every time it's processed. This means that when each kind of plastic is "recycled" it gets more and more degraded until it can't be reused anymore and is just trash.
The challenge starts July 1st (that doesn't mean I can stock up on plastic stuff this month to use in July) so I'm going to spend this month finding recipes and techniques I want to try to further reduce my plastic use... at least for July. And hopefully, some will be adopted permanently.
If YOU are interested in joining me, here's how the challenge works:
1) Sign up on Plastic Free July's website. Or just decide to do it. Signing up will result in getting emails that are meant to help you with the challenge.
2) You don't have to challenge yourself to eliminate all plastic all at once. That's setting yourself up for failure. Identify what you think is feasible with this quiz and maybe expand if you find it easy. You also don't have to commit to the whole month. Commit to a week and expand if it's not overwhelming.
3) Use existing resources and ideas to help you! https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/living-plastic-free.html also http://www.laurenofalltrades.blog/search/label/Plastic%20Free%20July
Here's where you're going to see most of the plastic in your life. I used it to identify where I'm doing well and where I can improve.
If YOU are interested in joining me, here's how the challenge works:
1) Sign up on Plastic Free July's website. Or just decide to do it. Signing up will result in getting emails that are meant to help you with the challenge.
2) You don't have to challenge yourself to eliminate all plastic all at once. That's setting yourself up for failure. Identify what you think is feasible with this quiz and maybe expand if you find it easy. You also don't have to commit to the whole month. Commit to a week and expand if it's not overwhelming.
3) Use existing resources and ideas to help you! https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/living-plastic-free.html also http://www.laurenofalltrades.blog/search/label/Plastic%20Free%20July
Here's where you're going to see most of the plastic in your life. I used it to identify where I'm doing well and where I can improve.
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| I borrowed this. |
There are some that I previously was doing and want to do more of, some that I want to start doing, and some that I want to try.
The bringing containers for meat/cheese/fish will be the hardest to remember. It also means not eating chicken for all of July. The personal care & cleaning products is the biggest mountain.
And I'm not going to throw away everything that I have that's plastic and replace it with non-plastic. That would be worse! Yes, I have polyester clothes. I'm going to keep wearing them until they're worn-out and then replace them. Yes, I have plastic food storage. I'm going to keep using it until it's worn out then replace with glass (I already have some pyrex containers and love them).
For the environment in general (not just cause of plastic; also because our house is about to explode with stuff) I made a pledge (to myself) to buy less things that I want, and only buy what I need, for one year. I've requested to friends and family that they do not buy me or Husband gifts that are not either consumable or an experience. No, not even practical stuff like clothes. We have too much of, well, everything.
Now I feel guilty, as I don't really think much of the plastic I use on a daily basis. I think that thanks to you I'll finally change my attitude.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel guilty! You didn't think about it before. What drives me crazy are people who know better and don't care (e.g. my friends who will throw away recyclables even when there is an easy recycling option).
DeleteI am working on using less plastic. I don't think I can fully go plastic free, but I am trying to make wiser choices.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's basically impossible. Especially if you want to eat things like chicken and cheese. But every bit helps!
DeleteThis is such a good idea of something to try and do. I have to admit I could do with trying to use less plastic in my life.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten a little lazy about it. I'm excited to have something to motivate me to do better!
DeleteWow this is an awesome idea! Unfortunately I don't think too much about this but you totally make me want to go plastic free. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI never used to think about it. Then I watched one documentary that changed everything!
DeleteOne big, but simple change that we've made is to tell the server NO STRAW. We either don't use one or bring a washable/reusable one with us.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Every bit helps!
DeleteWow totally learned something new here! Didn't realize that plastic was downgraded and eventually can't be reused anymore. Kinda sad. I really like glass packaging. I reuse them around the house a lot for crafts and such.
ReplyDeleteWe try to use very little plastic in this house. We usually replace with glass and paper.
ReplyDeleteLately I am investing in things that are free from plastics. It is so necessary to cut out plastic to make the world a better place to live in
ReplyDeleteI am happy to know that you are back to this again. It just makes a difference when people are serious about stuff like this. You're a hero.
ReplyDeleteI think you can influence people to do the same thing. This is so important to our community and environment. I wish you the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteI tried to go plastic free and it is harder than we think it is!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of plastic free. We have totally cut down on the amount of plastic that we use.
ReplyDeleteI am trying hard to use very less plastic and to recycle things the best I can. I need to try and go plastic free. Will start with a day or two first.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest inventions of our Times plastic is a necessary evil. Though we can't live without it now because it has made our life so easy and effective there must be a way to control the uses of it. Moreover as you mentioned every time plastic is recycled it is downcycled, it is very important to find alternative solutions.
ReplyDelete