A new plastic free year!

Its almost the end of January, but in the lingering spirit of New Year's resolutions I've decided to reignite my anti-plastic blogging efforts. Two years ago I went plastic free for a month and it was challenging. Since then, some of those challenges have become a way of life. For example, its rare that I take a plastic shopping bag from a store, and even when I come home from QFC, the contents of my canvas bag suggest that I did my shopping at a farmers market. I try not to buy anything that comes in a package if I can get it without or make it myself. However, I think my ego is underestimating the remaining waste that I still contribute to the landfills. So I've decided to keep it all for the rest of the year and find out! Not only will this quantify my plastic purchases, but it will also serve as constant motivation for me to not add to the stockpile. I haven't figured out where I'll put all this trash if it gets out of control, but I suppose that's the point.


To make this an excercise in limiting my own contribution to the demand, I am only going to save trash from things that I purchase. In an attempt to not to alienate normal people during the experiment, I'll exempt anything that is given to me as an (unsolicited) gift, or in a way that would be awkward and ultimately pointless to turn down (for instance, while it might seem like cheating for me to eat one of the plastic wrapped sandwiches and cookies at a catered work meeting, it is also more wasteful for them to throw the leftovers into a landfill along with the plastic. Also, bringing my own lunch would make me seem weird and thus begins the alienation that I would like to avoid).

If I can end the year with less than a garbage bag full I'd be proud, but of course the goal is to approach zero. I may regret this by summer :) Happy plastic free new year to me!