So the key areas of plastic waste in no particular order are………..drumroll please…….

1. Plastic seals, containers & tubs from Vitamin Supplements

2. Plastic Envelope windows from mail

3. Plastic Packaging from online purchases

4. Plastic when Travelling

5. Plastic from Gifts

PROBLEM – Plastic seals & containers Vitamin Supplements

These were on my list of exceptions but it still bothers me that I had so much.  It does stand to reason though as I work for supplement company & a lot of these came through as damaged goods.  I very rarely purchase so I guess I saved a few from landfill perhaps, if that counts?

SOLUTION  – I’ve completely cut back this year & have been more mindful of getting what I need from the food I eat.  Paying more attention to eating well & preparing simple but nutritionally rich food mindfully.  I still use a couple of supplements but I can’t get these from my diet, things like Evening Primrose Oil & the like…trust me its for everybody’s  benefit!

PROBLEM – Plastic Envelope windows from mail

Its amazes me how many things I still got in the post & mostly from charities.  You donate one time & your on their mailing list forever!  I want donations to go to the actual issue rather than constant junk mail that goes in the bin.

SOLUTION – Each time I get one of these in the post, I call or email them & ask to be removed from the list.  If its something I’m keen to keep informed with I opt for the email version.  Simple solution but it does take time to make the calls so start a list but don’t let it get too long like I did!  Some places like banks have the option to do make the switch online as well.

PROBLEM – Plastic Packaging from online purchases

With the convenience of Online shopping comes a SWAG of plastic.  This plastic is often removed & binned when you shop in store so you don’t see it.  With online stuff you get to see it all.  October was a total fail & my Plastic tally almost doubled with one package.  I wrote an email sharing my disappointment but not a peep from them in return.  They got struck off my list of places to purchase from.  Sometimes that’s all you can do, not buy from them again.

SOLUTION – I’m really mindful now about the companies I purchase online from.  Very rarely do you know how a package will be packed but there is a way around this.  At the point of payment there is often a section where you can leave a comment.  I use this section to ask if my package can be wrapped in a certain way.  Ask for items to be wrapped in cardboard or paper & to not use plastic.  Chuck in a comment about avoiding it for the reason of Plastic pollution.  I figure the more you speak about it the more people will know…even if it filters in on a subconscious  level. The more awareness the more action there will be.  I’ve found this works pretty well & only 1 out of 10 things I order online still come in plastic. 

PROBLEM – Plastic when Travelling

Travel is a tricky one.  I travelled to Bali & Mexico last year & while I thought I was ultra prepared I still managed to end up with plastic.  I flew American Airlines to Mexico & I was shocked at how much plastic they were still using. Plane food  & service is plastic city.  Food is heated & served in plastic trays, with plastic cutlery, wrapped in single serve plastic, with plastic single serve condiments with convenient single serve plastic/foil pouches with wet wipes all washed done with you drink in your plastic single use cup.  Plastic, plastic everywhere!    Unless of course you are behind those curtains & lets face it how many of us travel beyond economy where plastic reigns supreme?  Water in plastic bottles in countries with unsafe drinking water and not to forget the single use Plastic bags which are handed out by the truck load with your shopping purchases.

SOLUTION – Be Prepared!  Its the only way.  Take a kit with you, with things like, a stainless cup, water bottle,  straw, a container for foods, a cutlery pouch & a reusable bag for shopping bits.  Pack warm bits for the plane so you don’t need to use their plastic wrapped blankets. Sounds like a lot of things to take but you can keep it pretty simple & you will save lots & lots & LOTS of single use plastic this way.  We don’t want to trash the beautiful place we are travelling too!  I wrote a post last year about travelling lightly & there are some tips you might find useful there.

PROBLEM – Plastic from Gifts

Gifts are not actually the problem, we all love them but what they can be made from or wrapped in can be.  I have to say it was far & few between but I still got the odd Choccie wrapped in Plastic.  

SOLUTION – Mmmm now this is a tricky one. They come from the heart so it & the gift giver may not be trying to avoid plastic so you can’t shove your thoughts down their throat but we are also trying to make changes that affect us all.  I try to lead by example rather than be confrontational but sometimes hard conversations come up.  Without sounding like a ungracious troll of course! I started with my family,  often they will ask if there is anything I need.  This is a perfect opportunity to ask for something you might like to support your Plastic free journey.  Maybe a safety razor, some natural deodorant, a reusable coffee cup or a fancy stainless steel lunch box!  I also asked if they could quite simply avoid things with plastic, wrappers & all.  I’m also a big fan of homemade gifts, especially baked goods!  Until people start to “see” plastic you may still get it, but letting people know what you are doing helps immensely.  Have that hard conversation & you may also find it inspires them to make changes as well.

So here’s the actual tally & weights of what I used in the last part of last year, which truly does seem a life time ago now.