Didn't think I'd say this at the beginning of the month, but Wasted is starting to feel normal! I am now quite used to walking into shops and straight past mountains of plastic wrapped convenience foods, towards the one or two things that I know I can buy.
Today, for example, I went to the Co-op and came out with some apples (no packaging), a box of eggs (cardboard packaging) and some dog food (cardboard box). We also went to a bakery to buy pasties and donuts (in paper bags), and it felt completely normal ignoring all the other the plastic wrapped treats and drinks.
Our bin, though, is still alarmingly full. How can that be?
I had imagined at the beginning of the month that I would feel an amazing sense of pride at my empty bin. I even took a photo of it on Day One! However, it turned out not to be so simple...
It emerged that the PLASTIC LEGACY in our house was huge. The truth is that only now are we really starting to feel the full impact of our month without buying anything that will go to landfill. We have been using up stuff in our cupboards - and so much of it is wrapped in PLASTIC. So, our bin has got lots of plastic in it as we have gradually eaten through our supplies. At the moment the cupboards and fridge and freezer are all becoming quite bare.
Here's a list of some of the packaging that we have thrown away in the last few days (from stuff we already had):
rice (plastic bag)lentils (plastic bag)
spaghetti (plastic bag)
birthday chocolates (plastic box)
yeast (plastic sachet)
tortillas (plastic bag)
frozen chips (plastic bag)
pasta sauce (plastic pot)
breadsticks (plastic bag)
frozen peas (plastic bag)
Part of me is, of course, looking forward to November - I want to buy cheese, and sour cream and some new tights!
Chayo, on the other hand says we should just carry on "It's not been that difficult mum," he says.
Hi Topsy and Chayo, great to hear more from you as the end of the month approaches :-)
ReplyDeleteI have an equally full bin from my legacy plastic. It would definitely be tougher to go on for another month because all those conveniences ('essentials') like oven chips are running out and I would have to be really creative to replace them with no-landfill alternatives. Not that being creative is a bad thing, it just means you have to change your habits and priorities.
It's especially tough when there's a favourite product you can't use because of the landfill-destined packaging... right now the toughest thing about Wasted is not being able to buy my favourite tissues whilst I have a cold! But will I be able to face buying them in November now I have seen your photos and videos about where the packaging might end up?
Thank you for continuing to be inspiring... Phil and Kath, how's it going?
x Dan