Short and Sharp

Short and Sharp - the Problem with Plastic

I can remember when I moved in to my first flat. This was in 1986 and as I was always interested in natural ways I set myself a challenge. I didn't want anything made out of plastic. Let me tell you that this was very difficult and expensive as well. Can you imagine the cost of a plastic bowl, colander, sieve and measuring jug against the cost of a metal or glass one? So there were some Christmas presents or birthday presents which were just kitchen utensils. But guess what? Most of them I still have today and they almost look as if they never have been used. After 32 years of constant use.

I read the articles in the newspapers about the tons of plastic we produce and I get really scared. We don't need all this plastic. How was it before we used all this plastic? What can we do to avoid this plastic? It is so obvious now that we should take our own bag shopping. And at the local butchers here you can have your bottle refilled with milk. I also take my empty shampoo, laundry liquid and washing up liquid bottles to the health food store to have them refilled. Some on them are 10 years old now and still going strong.

I also started to look at products with different eyes. Is it packed in a way which is appropriate or is there too much packing? I stopped buying a hand cream which was very nice but in a kind of pump container with too much plastic. I don't buy that anymore. I go for the tube version which is still but less plastic. I also prefer the fruit and vegetables which are on cardboard trays if I don't have a chance to go to the farmers market.

When we were emptying the compost we found that the teabags were not decomposing anymore because they are made with plastic. I will not buy teabags anymore. The next time we have to buy tea it will be loose leaf tea and if I want a herbal tea, I get some leaves out of the garden.

Has anybody any more ideas? Is there more we can do to avoid plastic? There was a life before plastic and I wonder if we can find the way back because we have to do something!