Thank you Unsplash for the photo by Marc Newberry
During a wind storm a few weeks ago, we had a new recycling box land on our driveway. I am happy to return the box to the owner, but there are no identification markings.
As I brought our newly acquired and third recycling box to the curb, I looked up and down the street to see that everyone else had one or two boxes. We have two families in this house, which could be partly the reason, but for the past few years, I have been trying to buy less plastic. How is it that I still have all of this recycling?
In January 2016, I made it my mission to eliminate plastic from my household. Clearly, by the three recycling boxes, I am not quite there yet. But I am reminded of an incident at a grocery store when I first embarked on my mission.
Flashback: November 2017
This plastic-less challenge sent me searching for avocado oil that is not sold in a plastic bottle.
Arriving at the fourth store that day, I didn’t bring my reusable shopping bag. My negative mood assumed I would come out empty-handed because of my lack of success at the last three stores. Upon entering the market, the succulent smell of freshly baked bread drew me to the bakery racks at the back of the store. There were so many to choose from. I picked three different loaves. Next to the bread were the pies…mercy me! My mood was improving! Apple cinnamon pie, and it’s still warm! Had to have one! And, of course, apple pie must have vanilla ice cream to go with it.
I need a basket.
On my way to get a basket, I became distracted by the giant grapes… on sale! And, oh, look! Don’t those apples look delicious? I forgot; I needed bananas too.
There were no more baskets. Already overloaded, I walked hunched over toward the cashier, praying for a short line. After unloading my arms, I see coffee. I don’t have to have it, but it is delicious and a lovely addition to the upcoming apple pie treat.
The cashier gave me a peculiar look when I declined her offer to pack my groceries in plastic bags. Determined, I think, I brought the groceries this far; I can get them to the car without the plastic bag. It is just a tiny bit of a walk. After I pay my bill, I tie my coat into a pouch and stuff it and my pockets with groceries. Balancing the remainder of the groceries in my arms, I silently plead that I do not drop anything. I semi-consciously hear an old girl behind inline snickering at me. She said quite sniffy and loud, “Anything to save a nickel!” (the store charged five cents per plastic bag) My mind was too busy with the balancing act and the subsequent journey to the car. I smiled and thought, yeah, okay…hahaha, hilarious lady!
My trip en route to my car didn’t go as planned. I could see the fruit shifting downward with every step I took. Quickening my pace to get to the car before gravity robbed me of my grapes that were on sale only worsened the inevitable. The grapes jumped out of my arms and rolled and bounced away in several directions. As I bent over to try and salvage the bulk of them, the knots to my pouch loosened. I lose three apples, two of which roll under a car. I decided against chasing my fallen fruit around the parking lot to focus on getting to my car to unload my arms. The glass bottle of avocado oil started to slide. Horrified at the visions of a broken glass mess I might face, I fretted about how to free up one hand to unlock the car door.
At that moment, I catch up with my thoughts of the lady behind me in line. It suddenly occurs to me, HEY…. WAIT A MINUTE, LADY! This has nothing to do with saving a nickel! This is entirely to do with the fact that I don’t want the nasty, chemical cootie plastic bags. Never again do I want to see images of animals and marine life who suffered torturous deaths because they get entangled and choked on our garbage.
It has everything to do with the fact that plastic does not go away. Although we have been recycling for 30+ years, and certainly a good effort, it is not working; the chemical residue from plastic seeps into our water, food and environment….(BPA-free plastic still contains other chemicals not safe for consumption). I don’t want to ingest cancerous chemical microparticles of anything that does not biodegrade.
A wise and respected lady once told me that our garbage would kill us long before smog, superbugs, nuclear war, artificial intelligence, select presidents, or any other threats to our planet.
It has to do with not wanting to spend my money on products smothered in plastic. For millions of years, we survived without plastic-wrapped bananas, cucumbers and prepared meals.
Finally, I do not want the extra work of disposing of plastics. I have enough work to do….like go find my apples!
If you are interested in plastic-free shopping in London, Ontario, I highly recommend ReimagineCo. They provide plastic-free, organic, vegan and online shopping. (Also dynamite in-house made chocolate chip cookies)
A great book that offers many ideas on plastic-less living is called “Living without Plastic,” written by Bridgette Allen and Christine Wong. It is available on Amazon.ca or Indigo.
And while I am on the plastic-free topic…Go Go Go Walmart! https://www.walmartcanada.ca/newsroom/2022/04/21/walmart-canada-says-goodbye-to-single-use-plastic-bags