A Day Without/Living With Less

Wendy Kramper

Vanessa Wishart-Thursday 1:20

A Day Without

The mounting task of living a day without plastic was going to require some prep work. How can I survive a day without EVERYTHING? Planning ahead is going to be my only option so here are a few things that are used day to day that I’m going to have to plan around.

*Bathroom- EVERYTHING in my toiletry bag is plastic—toothbrush, every single container—toothpaste, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, soap. Oh, and I would have to go the day without seeing, as my contacts and classes both are plastic bound—lets hope the professors write extra large.

*Kitchen- EVERYTHING. I began to think about how my food is stored and how everything in my kitchen is encased in plastic, lies in a plastic bowl, or is stored in the refrigerator which is made partially in plastic. The microwave and oven both have plastic components. There is no way I could eat, besides if the fruit or something was left out on the counter over night!

*Living Room- MOST EVERYTHING The only enjoyment I can have is through reading my books. Luckily I haven’t switched over to reading electronically on a kindle yet, because everything electronic is plastic. My computer, phone (sorry mom and dad no phone call today), the TV, IPod. I also better make sure my plants are well provided for the day before because they are all in plastic containers, not to mention my watering can is plastic. Luckily if I want I can sit on my couch, because there at least isn’t any plastic visible.

*Bedroom- I also better make sure I don’t have anywhere to be at a certain time that day—no plastic means any alarm clock or phone alarm clock. Hopefully I don’t have to study either because I’m pretty sure most of my study materials have plastic somehow involved—binder, calculator, and pen. I could plan out to have my paper out and a regular old-school pencil on the table. I’d have to replace my chair for a wooden stool from my counter.

These are the things in my apartment only—outside in the real world would be even more impossible—no driving, bus, credit cards, IDs, chairs, lab equipment,

I had started this assignment out thinking that I would have to make minor adjustments when I prepared food and went to certain activities, but in all fairness, I don’t think I would last 5 minutes without plastic. The only way to succeed in this endeavor is to become a hermit, who doesn’t clean themselves, rises naturally, uses the sun as their light (can’t use a light switch), and sits idly by all day—possibly reading.

To anyone who succeeds—I salute you! Show me your ways and I’ll show you a flaw somewhere along the line.

With all this said, I did try a day living with less:

Living with Less

There wasn’t much in the morning plans that I could either by-pass or find an alternative way of doing. Sleeping in a bed with elastic, shutting off my phone alarm, and using toiletries—they all involve plastic. I also had to choose between my plastic glasses or contacts. Luckily I don’t wear throw away contacts so these babies will last me a few weeks!

Certain things I was more capable of avoiding. I avoided my cereal in a plastic bag and a plastic bowl for an apple (if you don’t count the plastic sticker on the fruit itself). Clothes were something that I needed to be strategic with. I avoided zippers on sweat shirts, and conveniently I had a sweatshirt without a string that was plastic ended. For shoes I opted for a pair of moccasins that may have plastics in the sole but was really my best option.

Class was an interesting experience. I used a regular yellow pencil in the first time in many, many years. Conveniently not too many notes were taken that day, so I didn’t have to find a sharpener anywhere. To substitute out my plastic covered binder, I carried with me paper and a wooden and metal clipboard. It actually worked out much better and gave me a sturdier way of taking notes than on my binder—perhaps it will even become a staple! Of course I was sporting a nice burlap sack instead of my plastic laden backpack to carry all of my non plastic materials. These other materials were limited to a mason jar of water, a tin of Altoids, a fork, and my keys. I even ventured out into the world without my cell phone—something that is rarely done in my life, it was kind of nice!

For lunch I went as planned to chipotle. I knew that they actively tried to keep their process environmentally friendly and so I thought I would support them. A burrito bowl, in a paper based bowl, later and I was very satisfied with my meal. It was so simple to just simply carry a fork around for lunch that it’s definitely something I can continue! My walk home from classes was cold and long, since I usually take a bus, but it was oddly refreshing.

Once I got home the whole process of entertainment was on my mind. What could I eat for dinner? Well after some strategic thinking I was a happy girl when I got done eating my rice and canned soup. Of course to cook these I had to use the stove top, but that was necessary. I honestly don’t think there is ever a meal on a normal day that I can make without using some plastic. Stuff is stored in the fridge, while the microwave, stove, oven, toaster, and grill all have plastic on them! I didn’t really feel like making a fire to cook my meal, plus I think the city would frown upon that.

What would I do for the rest of the night? When all is said and done the only real entertainment that I could find was reading, which is fine…because I absolutely love reading and I have no problem reading the night away. However much of my homework, while in itself is sometimes interesting, isn’t all reading. I needed my computer to look up organic chemistry things, and quite honestly I NEEDED to check my email and multiple class websites to make sure I wasn’t missing something important. I limited myself to 30 minutes to do this, not including actually doing homework. I did as much stuff with out the computer as I could and then when it was time I decided to use my phone to call home to talk with my mom—she of course would be worried if our daily conversation was missed.

Getting ready for bed was done by using all my plastic kept toiletries, setting my plastic alarm, and crawling on top of my elastic encased bed sheet. As I reflected, certain things from my less plastic day would stick with me. In the end though, I sure am glad that plastic was invented!