Plastic-Less Lent

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Looking for something to work on for Lent? How about reducing your use of plastics? Birthstone told me about this cool group on facebook - here's an intro -


As she says - it's not 'plastic free' - just about using less in as many ways as you wish - every action helps. I know ... some will dispute this ... but I think it's important to take what steps we can for the sake of Creation. Plastic is so pervasive now.

Interested?
 
How will the economy flex without something with give to it ... until all is Dunne? Then the snap ... can we really have a fixed economy?

Even the empiric collapses in faith ... no one believed in experience ... now they're gone ...
 
What a good idea. I confess, sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed with the problems inherent in this action. So often it seems, I figure out one way to be more environmentally friendly and then learn how this causes damage in a different way! Then I notice that the more careful I try to be the less careful my kids seem to be. I shudder when I watch their actions with buying, using and disposing of 'stuff'.
 
That's an interesting site too Lastpointe. Are they doing the photography piece this year - a list of words - one for each day - to ponder & photograph.
 
I like the plastic-less idea too. Some of the points on their fb page made me really pause to think. So - where could we get lotions and potions and shampoos etc that are NOT in plastic containers? That hadn't occured to me. And make-up - most packaging is plastic.
 
It’s a good idea, even if mostly symbolic. Really effective change has to come from the policy level to limit the production of plastic products and packaging, though. So, along with cutting down as consumers, producers need to be pressured to change their ways so there is simply not so much non biodegradable plastic packaging in existence, and governments need to be pressured to pressure the producers so that it’s not the sole responsibility of consumers.
 
I like the plastic-less idea too. Some of the points on their fb page made me really pause to think. So - where could we get lotions and potions and shampoos etc that are NOT in plastic containers? That hadn't occured to me. And make-up - most packaging is plastic.
Lush has a number of solid bars of moisturizers and shampoos, not just regular soaps. But the fragrances are strong. I noticed at Marshall’s the other day, they had a shampoo bar, like a bar of soap but more specifically for hair. It had a pleasant natural tea tree and mint scent, not too strong, but fresh - I don’t think the scent would linger (I like some natural scents but I have to be careful for work). But instead I bought a big pump bottle of 3-1 shampoo/ body/ face wash that’s got no added scent or harsh chemical additives - half the price of what it sells for elsewhere. I think it’s locally made. So far so good. Using multipurpose products cuts down on packaging. Check out craft fairs - they tend to be good places to find handmade products with less packaging (if you don’t feel like making your own), for a lower cost than in the stores, also.
 
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Only once they've got their garbage under enough control that we won't bury the planet in it...

Bioplastics are definitely the way to go, in cases where simply eliminating it isn't possible (like banning bottled water). If we use and recycle bioplastics, it will become economically viable to recycle/compost them.

And paper? Needs to be made from hemp, not trees, largely.
 
I can't remember the last time I bought a plastic bottle. I am still using the same refillable containers that I used many years ago. However, that is only one type of item. I still buy shampoo etc in plastic bottles. No Lush bars for me - the perfume gets to my asthma too easily. Some things are easier to avoid than others when it comes to waste.

Hmmmm……….is one plastic container more, or less, polluting than several plastic bags??
Once you have a dog there are rules about picking up their messes from the street. How can we do that without a plastic bag?
 
Or recycled paper.

Every package for sale needs to be biodegradable, reusable, repurposable, recyclable or refillable. We need to start demanding that of companies, and they won’t be “specialty” items anymore, and the prices will go down. Looking online, there are a number of sites that recommend and sell products that cut down on plastic packaging. Some of them look beautiful...refillable bamboo makeup palettes, etc... but lots of them are still such “novelty” items that have to be tracked down, they are too expensive for average and low income people. And...I am not too comfortable ordering cosmetics online. I want to see it and smell it before I buy it. But if these ideas became the norm rather than the exception, it would be less hassle and risk. There is no good reason why it can’t become the norm.
 
I can't remember the last time I bought a plastic bottle. I am still using the same refillable containers that I used many years ago. However, that is only one type of item. I still buy shampoo etc in plastic bottles. No Lush bars for me - the perfume gets to my asthma too easily. Some things are easier to avoid than others when it comes to waste.

Hmmmm……….is one plastic container more, or less, polluting than several plastic bags??
Once you have a dog there are rules about picking up their messes from the street. How can we do that without a plastic bag?
Wax lined paper bags? Compost bags? There may even be biodegradable poop bags, specifically.
 
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The bulk of responsibility should not be on us, it should be on companies to stop producing so much plastic waste for the products we buy. They are really holding us hostage to plastic in so many small ways we don’t even consider, all the time. Even refill packaging is plastic. If the companies made better choices then we would necessarily buy less wasteful products at reduced cost, as it becomes more available. In this day and age we shouldn’t have to live like it’s 1900... the companies, if they want to sustain themselves and the planet, need to listen to customers, and to science and sound policy.
 
I can't remember the last time I bought a plastic bottle. I am still using the same refillable containers that I used many years ago. However, that is only one type of item. I still buy shampoo etc in plastic bottles. No Lush bars for me - the perfume gets to my asthma too easily. Some things are easier to avoid than others when it comes to waste.

Hmmmm……….is one plastic container more, or less, polluting than several plastic bags??
Once you have a dog there are rules about picking up their messes from the street. How can we do that without a plastic bag?
Canadian Tire has biodegradable poop bags, 120 bags for $6.99
 
Crisco or other vegetable shortening can be used as a moisturizer and lip balm. It's cheaper than coconut oil - which can be used the same way. It can easily be put into refillable jars, empty lip balm containers, etc. Sounds weird, but it's just vegetable oil, which is the base of a lot of products anyway. Though, not a good idea in the sun. You could literally fry your skin. I wonder though, if it would be okay to use a layer of an spf product on top of it. And you'd want to store your containers in a cool place, or only fill a little at a time so it gets used before it goes rancid.
 
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