By Elissa Yoder Mann, Conservation Program Manager
Have you noticed that plastic is everywhere? Restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and rivers. It is hard to get away from plastic, if not impossible. It takes a lot of planning and even outright refusal to not consume plastic. As someone trying hard to reduce my plastic waste, I am careful to not travel anywhere without a reusable water bottle, reusable shopping bags, stainless steel straw, and reusable utensils. On occasions you will also find me toting around a reusable coffee mug, reusable produce bags, and tupperware (in case of restaurant leftovers). I have become a bit obsessed, or as I like to say, determined.
My latest challenge was celebrating a plastic free birthday for my nine year old. She wanted to take gift bags for each student in her third grade class, as food treats are no longer an acceptable celebratory snack in public schools. Paper gift bags would be an easy solution, but what about the gifts to go inside? Stores are overflowing with cheap, plastic trinkets, but not much else. We are greeted at the front of stores with $1 bins, full of plastic toys wrapped in plastic. I did not want any part of that. I had to get creative. I stuck with what would be useful and not thrown away after one or two uses. Admittedly, this is not always the most exciting gift for kids, but let’s be real, they won’t remember in one week anyway.
First I debated the idea of getting books, but determined it was too costly for a class of 25 students. I thought about stickers, but remembered they are not recyclable. I finally landed on pencils, they are useful, made of wood, a renewable resources, and a far better choice than a pen and marker. Next I grabbed the cute matching easers. Later I did some research and learned erasers are made from petroleum/crude oil, and next time I think twice before reaching for the cute erassers. Here is an article explaining the design and life cycle of erasers, a short interesting read. Lastly, I came across small wooden heart charms to make a fun addition to the gift bag.
My quest for a plastic-free birthday goodie bag was not perfect, but so few things in life are. I took the time to think through my choices, thought about how the items were packaged, if they were recyclable, and what materials the items were made of. I came close to accomplishing a plastic-free, sustainable birthday goodie bag. And next year I will nail it! Maybe.
Working towards living a sustainable, plastic-free life is a journey. You won’t be able to change your habits overnight. Over time I have removed plastic items from my daily routine. I have enjoyed the unexpected feeling of freedom of stuff. The plastic we consume slowly creeps into our kitchen drawers, and clutters our house. But when you refuse to use plastic, suddenly you realize there is less stuff in your house, and in your life. On those tough days when I get down on myself for forgetting my reusable bag or forgetting to ask the waiter for no straw before it’s brought to the table, I simply order an ice cream in a cone, no waste for me!
