I went through my cupboards Monday afternoon. Here’s my bag of plastic discards.
It is going to Goodwill today. A. is a little upset about that. She makes a good point: if they aren’t good for us, why should we corrupt someone else? My reasoning is that if the plastics could bless someone who doesn’t have money to spend on other, more expensive, utensils, I’d much rather pass our plastics to them than to fill the dump with them.
I left some plastic in the kitchen, such as: baking spatulas, some #5 plastic bowls and plates for little guests who come to visit, and 5 plastic bowls for eating on the road and for popcorn. And the cupboards still have some large plastic food storage containers which I can’t replace until I get glass jars.
I have a list of things to pick up today, or as I am able:
- stainless steel lifter/spatula (like for pancakes and eggs)
- stainless steel measuring cups
- stainless steel measuring spoons
- stainless steel funnel
- stainless steel serving spoons
Please keep me posted on the changes you’re making during this challenge! It is encouraging to me that we’re all working on this together.
About Wardee Harmon
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This is interesting, Wardee. I had never thought much about how much plastic is in my kitchen. Hmmmm.. let me think about it… I do have a spatula. I use zip lock bags for freezing food. I use plastic wrap sometimes. We have plastic cereal bowls. That’s it. Everything else is glass or metal.
Love
Sylvia
That’s great, Sylvia! When I look in my cupboards and drawers, I like them much better being filled with steel, wood and/or glass. It is pretty. Did you ever make a conscious choice not to have plastic? Or do you just tend toward the other materials?
Wardee:
It’s funny–I was thinking the same thing today as A.! Is it OK to encourage someone else’s use of plastic when I think I need to reduce my own use? And I will need to replace all of my measuring cups and spoons, as well, I realized as I emptied my dishwasher this evening!
Sonya
Wow, Wardee, when you set a goal, you really go for it, don’t you! My transition will be a little slower than a wholesale kitchen cleanout!
But, I’ve been doing well– probably 20 times in the past week, I’ve opted not to use a disposable bag for something and have instead chosen a container. That means more washing, which also takes energy, but I think it’s a better choice than creating so much soild waste, and demand for plastic. And, I just bought a new poultry feed hopper, and chose the more expensive metal one over the plastic one. But boy, I still have a lot of plastic in the kitchen to replace, slowly…
We are also working on the Teflon issue: I have declared that I’m not replacing the pans that are starting to wear out, so we’d better be ready! We have been using a stainless cooking pan that Kirk recieved as an expensive gift, but it’s taking some practice to not have things stick. And I have to soak it before I can wash it. Cast iron might be easier for me, I’m keeping my eye out for one.
And, I’ve been doing well on microwave reduction too– the last week or so, have been warming my morning coffee rice milk on the stove.
So, you are influencing me and inspiring me to change! You go girl!
michelle
Hi Wardee! Dave and I took our reusable bags to Kroger this week, and even bought two more. Dave loved using the bags and said that he wouldn’t mind doing this every shopping trip we make. So, there is a smidge less plastic in our household. I haven’t been as good about minding the trash as I wanted to be, but I’m still trying to make a better effort. Thanks for all the motivation!!
-K