I am not going to go plastic free, however, I am going to try and reduce what I do use. Here are my ideas:
- Make my own cloth (ziploc) bags. I already do wash and reuse the plastic bags I have, but over time they deteriorate, and I end up buying a box every year or so. If I make my own, I will rarely have to use the plastic ones and they will last me a much longer time. Plus they will be way cuter.
- Buy glass tupperwares (and/or more jars) and use this for food storage. I will give away most of my plastic ones, but will save a few for traveling and camping (when glass isn't such a great idea).
- I will stop buying shampoo in shampoo bottles. I will now search out a source for bulk shampoo or will buy bar shampoo
- I will make sure to remember my muslin bags for produce and bulk items (or bring my already used plastic ones). I will not take new plastic produce or bulk bags! And, while I am at bag making, I will make more so there are always plenty to go around.
- I will try to purchase less convenience food (like pre-made humus and salsa) and suck it up and make my own. It's cheaper and healthier anyways.... Also, purchasing less convenience food in general that has plastic in the packaging. Like snack foods, crackers, etc. I shouldn't really be eating this stuff anyways, so maybe this will help me eat healthier.
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I'm tired reading this but greatly appreciate that you are doing it for our earth- I try- you know I do- but for me there is such a fine line between waiting to make my own humus and feeling bad that that particular healthy snack option is not available to my family because I didn't have time to make it-
ReplyDeleteI absolutely support no plastic bags- as for jars we use them for fruits and veggies as often as possible- if I use a zip lock we wash and reuse.
We have been working on reducing our use of plastic recently, too-- I have started using cloth bags for bulk purchases like flour. I have a lot of pyrex, and I have been buying glass storage containers, but where I have been stuck is on gallon bags for freezing-- I just can't afford enough glass to freeze all the berries, etc., that I want to, and the glass takes up more space than the plastic. I haven't figured out a good alternative yet.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a good alternative for that either... I definitely still use ziplocs, especially for freezing stuff, and I suspect that I will continue to.....I wash and re-use them, but sometimes plastic really just is the best option.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! This is one we definitely need to work on. I reuse plastic bags, but I'd like to get away from them. A word of caution about cloth ones though-- wash them often! Studies have found salmonella and E. coli bacteria in the creases of canvas and other cloth bags. It doesn't keep me from using them (when I remember to bring them to the store!), but I definitely wash them more often now.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Thanks for the tip Kimberly!!
ReplyDeleteThis post could not have come at a better time for me! I have been contemplating the amount of plastic in my home a lot lately. I, too, have been attempting to figure out where to cut back or eliminate all together. I am interested in each idea you stated and can't wait to read more!
ReplyDelete~Cynthia
brambleberriesintherain.com
yeah, i've been trying to reduce our plastic intake too. hubby doesn't quite understand this, though he is nice enough to go along with most things i do. i'm trying not to bring more into our home, but not really planning on getting rid of what we already have. (tho it's something i daydream about when the cash flow improves). good luck with your challenge this month!
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