#3   Replace

 

 

I Want To Do It Because:

 

> I don't want plastic to ruin my health or my family's

> I don't want plastic to end up in the oceans or fill the landfills

> It's not difficult at all

> It's cheaper on the long-run.

> Everything lasts longer

> So it saves me money and time because I don't have to buy new things every once in a while

 

 

Always Keep in Mind To:

 

1) GIve Up Plastics

 

> Little of us know that plastic is actually a very toxic material known to man (and animal). Long time ago, when researchers tested the effect of plastic on humans, they did not foresee that all our food will end up being wrapped up in plastic, that our drink will be consumed only from plastic, that stainless steel, ceramics&glass tableware will be replaced with plastic tableware or that our kids' toys will all be plastic. So plastic is indeed safe for humans, but not in huge amounts like we use today.

 

>　Have you ever noticed that if you use the same PET bottle for more than 10 times it starts tasting bad? Try it. I did, and it made me rethink the way I consume my drinks.

 

> So as a rule of tumb, I will try to replace everything that is made from plastic, with other natural, more durable, biodegradable or renewable materials.

Aka stainless steel, ceramics, glass, bamboo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

> Whenever I'm going out I will most certainly carry my own bottle, bento box, wiping towel and eating ustensils. They're from stailness steel so they're really light and fit in my tote bag. And don't forget my produce bags, just in case I want to buy something on the last minute.

 

 

2) Give Up Paper

 

> I've heard this so many times, my ears hurt. "We are cutting down our trees to make more paper! Save our trees!" But really, I am at the same time scared out of my wits because of the fact that so many people don't fully understand the gravity of this problem. I wasn't aware until very recently, which makes me feel even more scared - I am part of the problem!

 

trees = oxygen = breathing = life

 

paper = no trees = no oxygen = no breathing = no life

 

Isn't this damn scary?

Every single tissue we throw away = less life for me and you

                                                            = DEATH

 

Death of our children, of our pets, of us. Can you begin to imagine how scary that is?

 

> So I will replace all the paper in the house with cloths and towls. Seriously. I have so many T-shirts I was about to throw away after decluttering, but in stead I will use them as cloths.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

> I will also try my best to buy more at once, in order to reduce the number of transportations needed to deliver my products. Like toilet paper: I buy once and it lasts me months! And it's cheaper and time-saving too!

 

> When transporting something or offering something, I will not use any paper, cardboard, cling film or any other type of packaging. I will just use the Japanese way of cloth wrapping - furoshiki. It's so much fun! It's also quick and easy to make. I just have to remember to stack a few so I don't run out.

 

3) Make My Own

 

> Every type of cleaner in my house is chemical: my soaps, shampoos, detergents, kitchen&bathroom cleaners, window cleaners etc. But until recently I didn't know that a huge amount of toxic materials are released into the air each time I clean something with them. Now that I know, I am terrified. My family inhales different types of chemical components whose effect I don't really know! 

 

> So from now on I will make my own. Wow, I didn't know it was this fast and easy! I just need a few basic (cheap!) ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, castile soap, coconut oil and a few more, depending on how complex I want the recipe to be.

 

 

 

Right Now I Can:

 

1. Choose a cloth bag which suits my style. I will buy myself a big, resistant, stylish cloth bag from organic cotton for shopping. Not too stylish though. You will be using it to buy fresh vegetables and fruits. 

OR

I can just make one out of an old T-shirt!

 

2. Choose a stainless steel bottle which suits my needs. The best bottle is one that doesn't have any plastic parts. It should be made entirely out of stainless steel and biodegradable materials, such as bamboo, wood, silicone at worst.

 

3. Use my existing towels or buy new ones to replace all the paper towels around the house and from my purse.

 

4. Search for really quick and easy recipes to make my own cleaners.

 

 

The Good Part

 

> I will have a safer home because all the chemical claners have been replaced by home-made ones.

 

> I will be healthier because I can bring my own food and drink wherever I go and there's no need to buy. AND because all the plastic is gone from my life.

 

> I will feel better about myself because I will no be part of the cause of oil consumption (from making plastic) or massive deforestation (from making paper).

 

The Bad Part

 

> It will take me some time at first to replace everything properly and learn how to make my own. But on the long run, it will become fast and easy.

 

> I will have to understand the fact that buying a PET bottled soda is in no way better for me. Convenient does not mean better.

   Note to self:  Inconvenient does not mean annoying and time-consuming.

 

> I will need to remember to always think in advance where am I going and the lenghts and purpose of my errand, so I know what items to bring (my bottle, my bag, my tableware etc)

 

Questions? Ideas?

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