Comments on: Use Less Plastic Challenge

By: Kathryn Grace

Kathryn Grace — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:20:18 +0000

I took the Fake Plastic Fish (now My Plastic-Free Life) challenge a year or so ago. Though we are by no means where we want to be with our plastic reduction, we have made strides. Biggest bugaboos: Almost everything we buy, from cheese to nails comes shrink-wrapped in plastic; plastic toys; commercial food products we aren’t ready to give up, such as ketchup, available only in plastic bottles. Our main successes: Giving up paper towels (they come wrapped in plastic); finding paper-wrapped toilet paper; making our own bread and crackers; buying more and more foods in bulk and storing them in Fido jars (glass jars with lids that clamp shut over a rubber ring.) They are wonderfully effective.

Like Tiffany, I have had glass jars break in the refrigerator. Any jar with a shoulder is subject to breakage as the contents expand, even if you don’t fill the jar full. These work only if I fill to about half an inch below the shoulder, and sometimes they break then.

Recently I have tried Weck glass jars, which do not seal as air tight as Fido jars but work very well in the freezer. The 12-ounce Wecks do not have a shoulder and are just right for a generous single serving of home made ice cream or leftover veggies you are saving for soups. You do have to leave expansion room in them.

Glad to see this here and to discover your blog. I’ll subscribe so I receive updates, too.
Kathryn Grace recently posted… Good News Friday: U.S. gasoline consumption drops 5 percent

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:41:03 +0000

Kathy – To what butcher paper do you refer? I think that usually butcher paper is coated with a petroleum based wax. But I could be wrong – depending on the producer.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:36:40 +0000

Please tell me with what the butcher paper is coated? Is is a wax or an oil and is it petroleum based? What about waxed paper? Is it petroleum based? Thanks,

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:03:21 +0000

It isn’t going on anywhere else here. Though I was thinking about bringing the issue up again.

Thanks for the recommendation for the lunch boxes – that is great!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:15:52 +0000

Hi Wardeh. I guess I’m 2 years behind on this conversation If it’s still going on anywhere, can you please send me a link? I wanted to add that I can highly recommned a plastic free lunch box for kids; it’s called Planet Box (planetbox.com). It is very well designed, uses a stainless steel that is “clean” of bpa and lead, it’s fun to use and fill, and I never use plastic baggies or any plastic in my son’s lunch. We are also from Oregon, living in So. California at the moment. I know their are thoughtful people everywhere, but Oregon has a fair share, and I miss them!

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:40:27 +0000

Jen, thank you for that option! They look great to me and I believe others reading here will thank you for the tip.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:13:47 +0000

Hey there! Here is a stainless steel option: containers and lids meant for steam tables in restaurants. They come in a variety of sizes and depths: https://www.surfasonline.com/productlines/153.cfm. I like square & rectangle vs. round because it’s a more efficient use of space and it looks like they would stack great.

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:21:43 +0000

Just announcing that Sara is our winner! Yay! -

By: Wardeh

Wardeh — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:02:59 +0000

Kate, that is wonderful to hear what the school systems in New Zealand are teaching the children! There does seem to be an issue with plastic leaching into dry foods, but it depends on the plastic rating. The link above outlines the issues with each rating. Also, we just don’t know all the effects of plastic, and studies are ongoing.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:45:57 +0000

When we were in New Zealand, we were inspired by the waste-conscious lessons that the school was helping to teach the students. The kids were strongly encouraged to bring their food in reusable containers. In fact, for their morning “brain food” they were not ALLOWED to bring anything packaged. The kids were motivated by contests between classes to see who was able to produce the least amount of “rubbish”. (This addressed wasted food as well as packaging.) Along the same lines, the school also recognized the class that used the least amount of electricity each week, and handed out “caught ya!” awards to students that helped the environment by picking up litter, etc.
Another thought- when we were kids, my dad created a padded nylon velcro sandwich bag. It was washable and also had a pocket to hold a small ice pack so you could keep your sandwich chilled. (Of course, we were terribly embarrassed to have it in our lunch bags…)
And a question- Is there the same problem leaching problem with dry foods, like flour, in plastic containers as there is with liquids?