It is difficult in the midst of every day events and scheduled activities to maintain a focus on this. But I am also aware, after reading this morning's STRIB article about the need to reduce our levels of waste burned in the County incinerator, that we need more advice and guidance on how to reduce waste - and we make most of our food from scratch so we don't buy much meal container waste. Our use of plastics is with yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc. There just aren't options of other containers. And I have failed at making yogurt so often that I am not much interested in trying again.
This challenge provides a continuing inspiration and motivation to look for other ways of recyclying or not using plastic containers in the first place. The greatest difficulty is finding non-plastic alternatives to yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese containers. We love having replaced our plastic 1/2 gallon and one gallon milk containers with returnable glass containers from Autumnwood Farm, including making new friends as we share pick up of the dairy products at a house in St. Paul.
Not too hard. Went to Tare Market on 38th street and bought some plastic free dishwasher soap, a couple of scrubbers and some DW pods. The DW pods clean well, but they have a thin film of plastic. I’ve tried the powders and gels before, but maybe I’ll try those again.
Take a moment to estimate how many disposable daily contacts you may have used over the years. What would be your impact now of switching to a contact brand with a longer lifespan?
These are supposed to be OK, as they are plant based, but I find that I get more use out of wool dryer balls. Bought some at the Textile Center in St. Paul because I like to buy local. They work great, save a lot of money and my dog lives for end of the dryer cycle so she can catch them.
I have several questions. 1) Why are dryer sheets not good to use? 2) We have some of those reusable produce bags but tend not to use them because the produce doesn't last as long in the crisper drawer of the frig. Suggestions? 3) What can we do to get our co-ops to use less plastic and join in this effort? I am looking forward to learning from others and sharing our experience. I hope people will post their questions and experience.
