The Rules of the Game
I know that the road to a plastic-free life is going to be tough and there are going to be pitfalls, so I've devised a few rules to follow whilst conducting this experiment:
Rule 1 – There are no failures: only lessons. This is going to be a tough challenge and whenever you're facing a big lifestyle change (be it a new diet or learning a new skill), you can't afford to let any of those little failures derail you.
Rule 2 – My health is (almost!) as important as the planet's. Basically, if I find that I really can't source an essential item (salad, toothpaste, etc) without resorting to plastic, then for the sake of my health (and for the sake of those around me!) I will be allowing myself to make an exception
Rule 3 – Wherever I do find that I have to make an exception, I am obligated to write to the suppliers to complain about the lack of consumer choice. That way, at least some action may be taken. Also, needless to say, I will also continue to recycle whatever plastic I am forced to use.
A yoghurt maker: I know, this is a bit of a weird one, but I do love my yoghurt and simply can't live without it, so if this little baby can save me on plastic (and pounds!), then it'll be worth the effort. You can pick these up online dirt cheap (mine cost under £40 for the incubator, thermometer and starters).
Disclaimer time!
I realize that the basil plant and the yoghurt maker involved forking our for plastic goods (the basil came in a plastic planter), but the way I see it; the important thing is to reduce the plastic that I use in the long run. And both of these investments should allow me to do just that! Needless to say, all the packaging went straight into the appropriate recycling bin.
So this is the start of my plastic-free adventure all sorted. I'll have to let you know how I get along with the yoghurt maker and the fate of my poor basil plant remains to be seen...
Rule 1 – There are no failures: only lessons. This is going to be a tough challenge and whenever you're facing a big lifestyle change (be it a new diet or learning a new skill), you can't afford to let any of those little failures derail you.
Rule 2 – My health is (almost!) as important as the planet's. Basically, if I find that I really can't source an essential item (salad, toothpaste, etc) without resorting to plastic, then for the sake of my health (and for the sake of those around me!) I will be allowing myself to make an exception
Rule 3 – Wherever I do find that I have to make an exception, I am obligated to write to the suppliers to complain about the lack of consumer choice. That way, at least some action may be taken. Also, needless to say, I will also continue to recycle whatever plastic I am forced to use.
Rule 4 - Whilst I will be encouraging my friends and family to reduce their own plastic consumption, I will not be forcing it upon them or allowing my change in lifestyle to affect their enjoyment whenever they visit me.
With that in mind, I will permit myself little "plastic amnesties" if ever I want to buy a present or serve up a nice meal for people and I find that this simply cannot be done without resorting to some kind of plastic.
The toolkit:
You have to speculate to accumulate, right? I'm hoping that as well as cutting my plastic consumption, these little investments will save me some money in the long run:
A portable drinking flask: I've actually had mine for over a year now and never leave the house without it. As well as saving on packaging, it also saves me money too, as most coffee shops will give a discount for using your own cup and each morning I can take the train with my own coffee that I've brewed up at home, so I don't have to buy an expensive "designer coffee" on the way in!
A durable shopping bag: Since the plastic-bag charge came into effect, most people carry these around nowadays anyway. Still, it's worth a mention. And remember: if your supermarket bag ever breaks, they should replace it for free. And you can also still recycle any plastic bags that you do use (or hoard, as I used to!) at any local supermarket too.
A grow-your-own kit: The size and complexity of this will have to suit my current living arrangements for now. Living in a small, north-facing flat with no garden to speak of and having very meager gardening experience, growing my own herbs, vegetables and fruits is going to be a challenge, but I've started small with a tiny window-box and a basil plant. Hopefully, as my confidence grows, so shall my veg patch...
A grow-your-own kit: The size and complexity of this will have to suit my current living arrangements for now. Living in a small, north-facing flat with no garden to speak of and having very meager gardening experience, growing my own herbs, vegetables and fruits is going to be a challenge, but I've started small with a tiny window-box and a basil plant. Hopefully, as my confidence grows, so shall my veg patch...
A yoghurt maker: I know, this is a bit of a weird one, but I do love my yoghurt and simply can't live without it, so if this little baby can save me on plastic (and pounds!), then it'll be worth the effort. You can pick these up online dirt cheap (mine cost under £40 for the incubator, thermometer and starters).
Disclaimer time!
I realize that the basil plant and the yoghurt maker involved forking our for plastic goods (the basil came in a plastic planter), but the way I see it; the important thing is to reduce the plastic that I use in the long run. And both of these investments should allow me to do just that! Needless to say, all the packaging went straight into the appropriate recycling bin.
So this is the start of my plastic-free adventure all sorted. I'll have to let you know how I get along with the yoghurt maker and the fate of my poor basil plant remains to be seen...
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