Whilst enjoying my pancakes last week, I decided to give up buying plastic for lent! Recently I have felt myself buying vast amounts of fruit and vegetables covered in unnecessary plastic packaging. Seeing that my main reason for being vegetarian and non-dairy, is for environmental reasons, I therefore wanted to try and change my plastic ways.I want to see if I can survive for 40 days without the need to buy anything plastic!
It did though feel last Friday – when we received some printing from kinko’s in the biggest plastic bag I have ever seen – that the world was saying ‘why bother!’. Sometimes it can feel that issues like climate change are so huge that there’s not much we can do. But I do believe that by making small changes to every day life we can make a difference, and our power as consumers is phenomenal.
If anyone has any good ideas or uses for this huge bag, then I will send it to you (in a re-used paper packet) for recycling.
Mar 2nd, eilidh said:
you are completely right alice, making small changes to our daily routine can make a difference, we just need to create a platform and inspire people to make these decisions. I have just been working on a project to educate children on more sustainable ways to travel,and encouraging them to take small steps towards better mobility…it was a really fantastic experience
Mar 2nd, deborah szebeko said:
Nice dress Alice. There are so many companies that waste packaging… Viking for example, you get a massive box just to deliver a pack of paper clips.
Mar 3rd, Ann said:
Agreed. Little things to our daily routine! -> Inspire people, hope they will follow. What about if we put all the plastic bags that fload around london and put them in the huge plastic bag (they probably don´t fit) and give it to someone to sew a tent out of it…that would turn it into a good thing in the end!
Mar 4th, AR said:
can’t think of any purpose for such an enormous bag, other than to take it back to the shop for re-use!
but I am impressed by your stand!
Mar 5th, Alex Pryce said:
Interesting idea – I think more people should try this idea until either manufacturers use less, or councils provide better facilities.
I followed this last summer, it might give you some tips (although some are a bit extreme). http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/monthwithoutplastic/
Mar 6th, Alice Osborne said:
I think the tent and dress idea is great!
If im honest, I don’t think that kinkos would make the best use out of such a large amount of plastic.
The printing they delivered to us only needed to be in a cardboard tube!
Thanks for the link alex -I’ll check out the blogs you suggested.
Mar 11th, Marc B said:
We stopped getting them bags in because they were a waste!
You can try using it as a parachute! or a rain cover for a small bike.
Mar 13th, Alice Osborne said:
Parachute is a great idea!
I’m pleased to hear that they are no longer in stock, and a big thank you Mark for sending me off with our latest order with a recycled cardboard box!