Plastic Challenge
Ever since Bakelite, that famous first plastic developed in the
early 1900's, plastics have steadily crept into our daily lives. The
properties of plastics make them suitable for a wide range of practical
and creative endeavors. Nearly every item in a modern household has at
least some plastic component to it. The usefulness of plastic appears
endless
But the life of plastics, it seems is also endless. As we buy more products made with plastic or packaged in plastic, we actively contribute to its propagation. Despite our best efforts to recycle, most plastic still ends up in landfills, as litter all across the country, or in the ocean, accumulating, for example, in circular currents. There are two well-known areas, referred to as The Western and Eastern Pacific Garbage Patches. The refuse, 90% plastics, circulates mostly below the water's surface. The mass of each has estimated to be larger in size than the state of Texas.
Plastic decomposition is an oxymoron. While plastics break down, they do not necessarily return to any
elemental organic form. They largely break down into smaller pieces of
themselves, and then become more diffuse environmental contaminates.
Plastic does re-enter the food chain, as plastic. Tiny nutritionless nurdles
of plastic, consumed by fish, for instance, will end up on our plates,
as say a delectable grilled halibut garnished with a sensuous mango
chutney, accompanied by a dry wine, in the relaxing atmosphere of a
candlelit evening. Consuming plastic has never been so pleasant...
We here at One Earth One Design have decided to take a step toward eliminating plastic from our daily lives. We have given ourselves and our employees a challenge for the month of June. The objective is to not bring home new plastics. We are going to document our shopping trips: alternative choices to avoid buying a plastic product or a product packaged in plastic, obstacles and encounters that we have while making these choices, and ways we found to communicate the need for plastic elimination to the stores we frequent. It is a daunting task. How much can someone sacrifice and change from a long established, comfortable pattern that is socially embedded?
Stay tuned for updates to our adventures here on our website. Follow along with us, or even better, take the challenge with us and let us know your results! Email your own triumphs and tribulations: info@oneearthonedesign.com.
Here's to liberation from plastic!
Sandy Campbell, Interior Designer, Owner
Vickie Bona, Administrative Manager
Plastic Alternatives
Tip #1: Most places are now selling great reusable bags. Stock up and keep them in the trunk of your car, your purse (there are some handy bags that fold up smaller than a wallet), by the door. Anywhere convenient for your shopping excursions. And if you forget your bag, most of the recycled/reusable ones are so fairly priced that it is worth it to buy one in a pinch for next time.
Tip #2: Think about forgoing on plastic produce bags. Most produce items can be stored loose in your crisper drawer. Do you have a salad spinner? Chop up your lettuce, spin clean and store in the spinner bowl in the refrigerator. Or reuse plastic bags you have at home for storing your leafy greens once you're home from the market.
Tip #3: When going out to dinner, don't forget to take along your own containers for left overs. If you like to order out, take along some To-Go Ware or other resealable containers (most of us have a variety at home). This will reduce plastic use as well as Styrofoam. Be sure and check with your favorite take-out places on what policies they have for filling your containers. It's also a good idea to keep a spare table serving set (fork, spoon, napkin) in your desk or car. That way you can pass on the plastic utensils that come with your take out.
Tip #4: Coffee on the go? There are many alternatives to throw away cups. Although most cups are compostable nowadays, they still have to be produced. Take along your own stainless steel mug. Or look for the ceramic version of the standard coffee house to-go cup. Want to save even more? Check out your local thrift store for mugs/cups (heck, anything reusable). Not only will you be saving money, you will be reusing items that have already been made so you're saving on production, packaging and shipping of new items.