I bookmarked this thread in my journal weeks ago, and am just now getting around to reading it. Glad I finally did! I always recycle, but have never thought of cutting out the source of the waste. I love how supportive everyone here is of taking care of our earth (unlike where I live, which just breaks my heart...)
Can I offer up one of my favorite "recipes"
https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/fit-for-you-bars
I really want to learn how to start making more of my own food bars etc, and this seems a fantastic place to start. Never thought of the positive eco impact of being more resourceful, which now gives me more motivation to start. Saved and added to my bucket list!
- plasters (bandaids). What did people do before plasters? Just not use anything or use a bandage or clean rag I guess?
- ibuprofen. Home remedies for pain are laughable when you're doubled up or can't see for the pain. I think the best idea here is to buy 50-100 pills in a plastic bottle. I only use about 4-8 a month but it's better than multiple blister packs of 24.
- Codeine - it's prescription only here from Feb so I'm going to buy some while I can, just in case. It costs me $25 to see a doctor!
Has anyone ever bought loose pain relief pills i.e. had a bottle refilled?
apparently superglue was originally created by the military (forgot from which country, but I'm just assuming US since that's where I'm from) as a liquid bandage. For minor cuts, there is also OTC "liquid skin" bandages (comes in a glass bottle). My rommmate and partner both use superglue for nasty lacerations and nothing bad has happened so far... And I personally never use bandages, I just let my cuts heal themselves naturally. As for the pills, I know that in the US pharmacies cannot dispense medication into a patient's brought-from-home-bottle (or at least in California---however we also have more stringent protocol than other states). I think asking your local pharmacy would be a good place to start. Have you thought of preventative health measures like tai chi, accupuncture, meditation? Good for your mind as well as your body. Another really interesting one is water crystals. Masaru Emoto's book, The Hidden Messages in Water, really lays it down in easy-to-undersand terms. Hopefully you can pick up a copy at your library. It is a pocket-sized book, and also a quick read with few words and lots of pictures (just my kind of introductory book! ;D)
masaru's siteI dont know how much I believe in it, but definitely an intriguing concept.
So my facewash has run out and instead of buying a new plastic bottle so close to February, I've cracked open a pack of face cloths that I got from IKEA* that I'll be using with water only.
Day 1: Hmmmm my face did not feel very clean in the shower after washing with the cloth. It's sort of ok now but the jury is out I'd say. I also used it to clean my ears instead of using a plastic cotton bud.
*Black mark to IKEA for adding a massive unnecessary label to every cloth. Did not see that when I bought them.
Have you heard of oil cleansing? It feels great! I'm not sure of how wells it works since I usually do not wear makeup, but in theory it makes sense: like-dissolves-like. I'm guilty of buying mine from cosmetic counters and they come in plastic jars (EEK! Moving forward, I do plan to reduce my plastic consumption as well...) but I'm sure natural oils like coconut, olive, saffola would work great as well, and are probably easier to find in eco-friendly packaging. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so just slab some on your face and rinse off in the shower. No plastic or washcloth needed.
DONE. And, if you're a child-at-heart like me, playing with the mess and pretending to be an oil-monster is always a win.
I might try that with the meat, although I think they need to use something to pick it up and put it in the tub at my ones, so they'll still use a plastic bag or glove. There's no bare hands touching meat at butchers here!
I just joined a local zero waste group and the rumour is that Harris Farm Markets not only sell milk in glass bottles at certain locations but at one place they have milk station (like a drinks dispenser) and resuable bottles!
Not that it makes you feel better, but either way they'd still be using plastic gloves, right? So while the plastic waste is not completely eliminated, at least you are doing the best you can on your end by eliminating part of it. Would it be possible to forgo meat completely? Also, how did you find the zero waste group? You've inspired me to join one.
Couple two said "you know you can buy those containers at Woolies" Me: "yeah but we already paid for these ones" Couple 2: "I don't do second hand" Me: "you just ate from them?". I always wondered who buys crappy takeaway containers new and now I know!
We're a little bit down in the mouth about that whole interaction today because it's a reminder about what the majority of people are doing.
Interestingly, when we introduced the concept of MMM at a get together a while ago, it was the eco people that seemed to 'get' the concept of living beneath your means. That and treading lightly on the earth are so very closely related concepts.
Man I definitely feel ya. I bike to work and at first my coworkers all made fun of me. It's a short ride (just 12km or so. Honestly, too short a commute for me!). It's good for me, our earth, and my wallet. Now my colleagues are starting to get it and even somewhat envious. One of my coworkers who lives nearby is now motivated to start biking in the spring. Score! Keep your head up, and just remember that even though they may scoff, that
you (and our earth) are the ones getting ahead. I agree that people who are more mindful in general are the ones who will care about the bigger picture.
Groceries are indeed a challenge. In my local shops every salad, pepper and zucchini are wrapped in plastic.
This. It blows my mind that loose vegetables come wrapped in plastic.
Why?! Rinse and eat. People have become too fearful of food, I feel. And then they fill their bodies with pink slime, HFCs, hydrogenated oil, and processed, mechanically separated food. Oh, and the chemicals on the GMO vegetables to make them "safe". smh.
I figure, even if they do use plastic, if you're using your own cloth bags to shop, you're 1) not putting additional plastic in your own trash and 2) setting a good example for other people. I've definitely had people in line ask where I bought my mesh or canvas bags because they think they're cool.
Also, if you think of the ratio of volume:plastic (for bulk goods that you fill yourself), you're still making a positive impact, and it's still less plastic than if the bulk were individually packaged for resale.
Phew, I didn't think I had so much to say! Again, thank you for the inspiration and I wish you the best!