Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Show Your Plastic Challenge - Plastic Free July Week 2

SHOW YOUR PLASTIC CHALLENGE 

Plastic Free July Week 2

July Week 2 - 18 ounces,  59 items


Week 2 of our Show Your Plastic Challenge has come to a close and I have now realized that July will not be plastic free for our family of five. We continue to be swimming in a plastic sea of garbage. This week sees an increase in weight and volume of plastic items that we consumed from items already purchased. However, it has certainly raised our awareness of the amount of plastic we continue to consume despite our efforts to cut back. I am looking at each purchase through different eyes - those of a prudent consumer. By the end of the month I hope to see less convenience foods in the weekly count. 

Both of the older children participated in the tally and were inspired to 'play with the trash' by upcycling some of the plastic into robots. Today was a no television day for our family - proof that with a little imagintion (and less over stimulation) anything can become a toy.

Plastic Free Progress:

We are now using baking soda with a few drops of tea tree essential oil for our deodorant. It works like a charm. It is applied using a circular pad that I crocheted from yarn I made from upcycled t-shirts. One less plastic health & beauty product to purchase and consume.

Summary:

July Week 1 - 13 ounces, 52 items

July Week 2 - 18 ounces, 59 items

Goals:

We are preparing for a week away from home and tomorrow will be traveling the 250 miles round trip to gather our groceries for the next few weeks. While most of you could be dining out plastic free while away from home, our family is not safely able to do so due to food allergies. A small kitchen and some groceries must travel along with us. We take to the road in an Airstream bunkhouse. Tight quarters but we love it.  We find ourselves outdoors more enjoying the sunshine. 

I am going challenge myself to avoid any single use disposables during our travels. Each member of our family already carries a Kleen Kanteen water bottle daily. Where I get tripped up is forgetting our metal straws & bamboo utensils. Can we do it?

Remember small steps add up to BIG changes. Until next week...

2 comments:

  1. You are doing a great job tallying. I just have a box I keep putting stuff into. I

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's where change begins, awareness. I'm glad to here that your visually making yourself aware of the plastic in your life. Keep up the good work!

      Delete