Rachel Weiher: Section 306 (Vanessa)

I took my plastics challenge on Monday, November 29th. I decided to do it on Sunday night, so I prepared a little bit for the next day (though not enough). I took off the bottom sheets on my bed that contained the elastic. I also didn't put my retainer in my mouth like I usually do at night, since that has plastic. I also did not set my alarm, as the alarm clock contains plastic.

I'm lucky I guess, in that I do not really need to set an alarm clock any day, as my cat will promptly wake me up at 6:30 (or earlier, depending on how well she slept) each morning so she can have breakfast. It was about 6:20 when she got me up this morning, and still a little dark, but I couldn't turn my light on because that has plastic as well. I had a banana and one of those instant Starbucks coffee drinks that comes in glass bottles for breakfast. Then I got dressed. I couldn't wear my tennis shoes with the plastic covered shoelaces, so I wore my leather clogs instead. Used baking soda on my finger to brush teeth (did NOT feel clean afterwards though). This is how far I got before my first fail. FAIL #1: Had to clean out cat's litter box and guinea pig's cage. I'm too obsessed with my pets to impose my plastic challenge on them...so I failed. I also could not take my multivitamin (plastic container) or wear my hair in its usual ponytail (elastic in hair band)

I turned off my cell phone for the day, but kept it on me in case of emergency, but vowed not to use it for anything else (didn't end up needing it at all). I also couldn't take my backpack as that contained plastic zippers, so I packed a canvas bag (does canvas contain plastic? not sure) with a bunch of looseleaf and stuff I'd printed from previous days (no printing today). FAIL #2: Had to drive car to bus station, then ride bus to school. Both contain plastic. Really couldn't afford to miss a day of class.

When I got to school, I was fortunate that I did have some wooden colored pencils (my only non-plastic writing utensils) to take notes with. However, around this time I noticed FAIL #3: My coat had plastic zipper. I kept unzipped for the rest of day to attempt to remedy this fail. After my first round of classes I went to the library where I would normally work on the computer. But today I just read a book. For lunch, I went to Subway. I told the lady working there that I was just going to eat the sandwich right there so she didn't need to wrap it in plastic (I didn't bother to explain the whole story). She didn't mind. My one afternoon class had plastic chairs. Thankfully that lecture is pretty full so I didn't look too stupid standing in the back taking notes (though the colored pencils and looseleaf with no hard surface to write on probably looked strange)

Then I went home (obviously had to face plastic in transport again). Then I discovered that I really needed to go to the grocery store, as Thanksgiving weekend had emptied my fridge. There was really no way around this, and while I admit I could have probably stuck out the challenge and bought non-plastic items, I really hate grocery shopping and didn't want to have to go again this week, so I FAILED #4-#? and bought all my groceries, many of which were plastic, although I tried to limit it a little (like buying milk in cardboard carton instead of plastic, and getting paper grocery bags). For dinner I had a glass of juice, some fresh vegetables, and 2 donuts that came in a cardboard box.

Finally I got home and did whatever homework I could with looseleaf and colored pencils (not much, most would have to wait til next day). I took a shower, and just didn't pull the curtain, which is plastic, though I didn't bother taking it down. I brushed my teeth the same way as the morning and once again didn't put retainer in. Was about to put on my pajamas with elastic waisted pants, but then realized that won't work, so thankfully I had the old pair of drawstring pants I made in home ec in high school (a little easier to sew than elastic). By the time this day was done, I was happy the plastic challenge was over, and looking forward to the relief tomorrow would bring.

What I learned: It's nearly impossible to go a day without plastic. The only way this would become easier is for the whole world to simultaneously abandon plastic, so you wouldn't have to worry about it wherever you went. Although plastic is often the most convenient, there are several alternatives, such as wood, paper, metal, or even the occasional house cat.