Lauren Schafer 308 Tiffany

Knowing that I had a plastic free day ahead of me, the night before I showered so I could use my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that are all kept in plastic bottles. The next morning, I realized I couldn’t use any of my make up or hair products because they too were all enclosed in plastic. Looked like I’d be au natural for the day. As I started to put in my contacts I realized sadly it was going to be impossible to avoid all plastics all day.

I went into the kitchen to make some breakfast, which consisted of oatmeal and a banana, pretty much the only two things not wrapped or contained in plastic, but I had to use the microwave to heat the oatmeal. I had some time before class but it was hard to find something to do that didn’t have plastic involved. My computer, tv, and phone were all off limits for the day.

I made my way to my first class, which was a chemistry test. I had not been able to find any wooden pencils so I had to resort to plastic mechanical pencils. Also, my calculator was essential for not failing my test so I had to give in to using plastic again.

I came home for lunch, which was hard to find considering all my vegetables are wrapped in plastic bags. Finally I decided on veggie nuggets that are kept in a cardboard box, but then I realized I couldn’t use my microwave so I scratched that idea. Next I decided on some fruit because that was virtually the only thing I could find that didn’t have plastic packaging or need a microwave to heat up.

I left for my next class, horticulture, but couldn’t take notes because my notebook/binder had a plastic cover over it. I sat and listened to the lecture, hoping I would remember some of the material I wasn’t able to write down.

As I came back hope I got ready to go to the gym but found that my Nike’s had plastic on them. Going shoeless wasn’t an option so I gave into using plastic again. When I got to the gym I had the sudden realization that all of the treadmills and elipicals had plastic casing, not to mention the majority of the weight machines. This was going to be a strange workout. I concentrated on free weights because they seemed to be the only items that were without some sort of plastic.

After a not so fulfilling work out, I came home to eat sushi, which I had been craving all day. I went down stairs to the grocery store took one look at the plastic packaged sushi and turned in search of a new dinner option. I decided on fish that I could cook on the stove with little plastic involved. I ate dinner with a metal fork, knife and a ceramic plate.

Getting ready for bed was also a challenge, as I had to use my plastic toothbrush, throw away plastic contacts, and was my face with face wash in a plastic bottle. In conclusion, one would have to go back to the very basics of living in order to avoid plastic, and in many cases it would most likely be impossible to totally avoid plastics. Glass could be an alternative to some things, but there are many things we would have to do away with in order to avoid plastics.