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You made it through another week of the plastic reduction challenge, hurray! Now the fun really begins. We are going to start looking at many different areas of your home and life and how you can reduce your use of plastic. First up is the kitchen since this is the number one source of waste in most households. Specifically, we are going to look at the single use plastic. You know, the stuff that you use once and then throw away. We don’t have to live this way! With a little organization and thought you will be on your way to less garbage in a flash.
Today I’m talking to you college kids out there! Or maybe you are just a college kid at heart. If you are still using paper plates, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam cups at home, then this challenge is for you! It is time to get yourself a set of the real stuff. Paper plates and cups are sold wrapped in a plastic film, even the ones marketed as compostable or environmentally friendly (this is called greenwashing). Plastic cutlery is flimsy and difficult to recycle. Worldcentric.org estimates that in the United States alone, about 40 billion plastic utensils are wasted PER YEAR! Styrofoam cups or plates are also a drag on the environment and your health (more to come on this toxic plastic in week 5). Sure, the real stuff needs washing, but I think it is worth it, don’t you? Plus, you are going to save yourself a boatload of money, time, and energy that you currently waste shopping for the stuff.
Today’s Challenge: Make sure you are using real plates, silverware, and glasses at home. For everyday eating, use real stuff. If you are hosting guests, use real stuff. Your kids have a playdate, use real stuff. Even little tykes can use real cups and plates. I stock a low shelf with a bunch of small, clean jam jars for my kids to grab when they are thirsty. I’m not talking about the under 2 crowd that is still throwing things off the high chair – at that stage just put the food on the highchair tray and use a sippy cup. Another great source for kitchen ware is a second hand store. I’ve found lots of great stuff at Goodwill in the past. And if something gets broken then you don’t have to worry about the cost. No one says it has to be fancy or matching. In fact, an eclectic mix is really cool!
Second level challenge: Since I know many of you already use real stuff in your kitchen, let’s kick it up a notch. How about napkins? We don’t use paper napkins or paper towels any longer in my household. Those come wrapped in plastic film at the store and are a big waste of resources. To wipe young faces at mealtime, try a wet washcloth. Find a stack right now that you can keep in the kitchen for easy access and start trying them out before you eliminate all of your paper products. I also have a set of cloth napkins. They don’t have to be reserved for special occasions. I like ones made from a dark colored or patterned material so they don’t show stains. This way I am more likely to use them every day. I even got myself one to take to work! I like these from a small business on Etsy made with organic cotton and hemp. Second hand works well here too. Once you adapt, I guarantee you will find it silly that you ever needed disposables in the first place. It is all about changing your mindset.
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