A Plastic Diet

bails

Great thread Draig, I'll be following with interest x

Purple_Sparkles

Well done you for trying this. I've been doing it for about 12 months and it's more a way of life now.

I make a conscious decision not to buy things that are made from plastic and that included the container.

I buy all my fruit/veg from a local shop and they put it into a cardboard box that I give them back each week.

Meat I now buy from a local farmers market and have an order with a couple of the stall holders and they will bring my order wrapped in paper.

Drinks I will only buy if they are in glass bottles so that I can re-use them for my homebrew or pop them in the recycle bin.

Toiletries/cleaning products I make myself, I asked for the supplier to use paper bags instead of plastic for the raw materials and so far I've not had a problem with that.

Clothing, to be honest I make most of my own but will buy from charity shops, jumble sales, car boot sales.

I always have a stash of fabric bags for when I go shopping so that I don't need a carrier bag.

I do the best that I can and if (and it's a rare if) I do need to buy something made from plastic then I will only buy it second hand.

I hope I've been able to give you a few ideas and feel free to ask if I can help you on your challenge.

Good luck.

greenbee

Don't freeze in plastic... the plasticizers can migrate in the freezer apparently. I guess that reusing your tupperware is better than sending it to landfill, and if its old it won't be too toxic, but I'd recomment wrapping stuff in greaseproof/silicone paper first. I tend to freeze in glass or ceramic dishes, but this does mean I have to compromise and use clingfilm to seal a layer of paper over the top.

I think you need to deal with it gradually. First avoid new plastic, as reuse is the best thing for the environment, then recycling (have you ever tried to find recycling facilities for tupperware :rolleyes: ), and you really don't want to be chucking stuff out.

Then, if you can afford it and it is important to you, try to slowly eliminate all the unnecessary plastic from your home and replace it with natural materials.

Reading this you've made me realise that I need to find a new source of loo paper. I buy from Natural collection and it's wrapped in plastic. The only other one with a similar ethiscore is traidcraft, which I think is paperwrapped, so I'll have to look into it...

Sometimes compromises are necessary, but at least you are making a conscious decision.

DdraigGoch

Thanks, I'm taking your points on board. Re Tupperware recycling, I'm told that if you return it to the local agent then they will send it back to Tupperware who reuse it. I may be utterly wrong, but it can't help to try it out!

I'm going to give the recycling element of this effort a bit of a twist and ask on Freecycle for freezer boxes and aluminium trays etc - gets a few more out of the landfill .... and if I receive anything I can't/wouldn't use then I'll either pass it on - if I can - or take it to our local recycling centre and ensure it goes to the right place there. [They are VERY responsible and keen to ensure that everything that can be recycled properly is. Obviously it means that they get more money for it too, and rightly so. They're doing a vital job and should be rewarded properly for it, IMHO.]

Does that sound like a good idea?

Next problem to solve - I decided to start brewing beer/wine as the budget could do with some help, as ever! I have started well by being given [bless Freecycle!] a wine making kit, BUT obviously it's all plastic! My feeling is that since I'm saving it from landfill I shouldn't worry too much about it and I should use it. What is anyone else's opinion on the ethics of this?

I'm also intending to reuse glass bottles for the wine and beer wherever possible. I shall probably ask at the aforementioned recycling site if I can "buy" a few from them - seems a good idea to me.

Thanks everyone for the input and support - it's really helpful.

oh, I forgot to mention, I normally buy the majority of my red meat from friends who breed it, it's only chicken or pork I buy locally, and I'm thinking of getting some chooks anyway! I can't cope with a pig - I'm such a hypocrite, I don't think I could raise one and then eat it ...

Purple_Sparkles

Re: the wine kit, I would use it, like you say you've saved it from landfill and you've not bought it as new plastic. If you decide home brewing is not for you then I'm sure you'd put it back on Freecycle for somebody else to use.

If the recycling centre don't have any glass bottles to sell you, I'm sure you'll pick some up on Freecycle or try asking your neighbours.
Chickens are brilliant, I've got 5 and they've been laying all through Winter :j

IsoChick

I'm 'Giving up plastic for Lent'....

I'm going to try and NOT buy any plastic until Easter... I have decided that I can re-use plastic (if I am given it, or I already have it), but that I won't buy anymore...

So, Mr T's is mostly out - local fruit and veg, local butchers etc

Still wondering about some stuff, but I think it will cut down our plastic consumption ever more

bigpaws23

Fab thread! Not strictly plastic free, but this family have reduced their weekly waste to less than about 100 grams a week. All they are left with is non recyclable plastic most weeks:
http://myzerowaste.com/
There is a lot about plastic on there and how to reduce your usage of it.

I take my own containers to the butchers and deli counter instead of taking their plastic packaging. Ok, so my containers at the moment are plastic too, but at least I'm reusing them. I want to get onto stainless steel eventually. Where can you buy nice stainless steel containers?

I buy ecover refils and the washing powder comes in boxes. I've tried soapnuts but my water is too hard for them to be successful.
And we're lucky to have a farm shop near us where everything is unpackaged. I like the idea of a veg box scheme though; it would make me more adventurous with trying new stuff!

I've seen two Andrex toilet rolls in paper, but it's wildly expensive. Thanks for the tip about traidcraft though - I'll take a look. Does anyone use washable cloths for a pee? I'm considering it as I only drink water, so my pee's ok

There are some great and inspiring ideas on this thread - thanks everyone and good luck!

DdraigGoch

The idea of stainless steel containers is a really good one, bigpaws, thank you. I've collected quite a few stainless steel serving dishes over the years - very 1970s! - and very useful they are too. I suppose a tiffin tin would be good for going shopping with? Thanks for the ideas - it's really helpful.

415SanFran

HUH This is interesting, I stopped using plastic as my new years ressy!! I thought I was alone!!
I now make all my own yogurt, pasta salad, handwash, washing up liquid, I make washing powder, as I am really not brave enough for the "goop" so reuse all the old cartons for said items. (to tell the truth got the maths wrong with the hand wash and ended up with gallons of the stuff)
I am also trying to grow alot of my own veggies and herbs, so using a lot of old margarine tubs for this, and see no reason why they cannot be re-used next year.
I make my own spice mixtures and re-use old pasta salad pots for this also.
I have saved money and with these few small changes, and also reuse more now than I ever though possible.
I shall keep a close eye on this thread for any more tips. Thank you

shaz_mum_of__2

Hi there

Interesting one this ..................... i really ought to join but i will watch from the wings for now


Did anyone watch the programme about a finnish family who tried to give up plastic for a year (he was english)

It was interesting but they struggled with where they drew the line , they bough unwrpped industrial loo rolls but they mut have been wrapped for transport? they also gave up petrol it was a good program and made you realise almost everything is or has been in touch with plastic


Good luck

oh and heres a way of recycling those tera paks

http://meanqueen-lifeaftermoney.blogspot.com/2009/02/summer-bag.html