Life without Plastic

Kaitlyn Anderson

Section 302

I knew before I embarked on such a challenge, I would have to make a list of things that I use regularly that are made of plastic so I would know what to avoid. The list was longer than I imagined…from simple things like toothbrushes to items I consider a necessity – like my car. After realizing my list had grown to nearly 100 items, I figured the easiest way to avoid all plastics would be to try this challenge on a weekend where it is more forgiving if I lay in bed all day.

I started the challenge December 4^th. I tend to use my weekends to sleep as late as I can and that day was no different. I woke up around noon with the apartment silent. Generally, I sleep with the TV blasting but I knew the night prior to turn it off as it is made of plastic.

The day before, when I had made the list of things that I regularly use, I gave myself some leeway with some items. For example, my toilet seat cover is made of plastic. For hygienic and health purposes, I allotted myself two times I could use the toilet. I also realize the food that I feed my pets comes in plastic, however, without alternatives, I allowed myself to use that small amount of plastic to make sure they had food.

Other than those items, I attempted to go the whole day without using plastic items. I guess one could call it cheating that I looked for non-plastic alternatives beforehand. But because this was only a one-day experiment, and I’m not a millionaire, it didn’t make sense for me to purchase all new items. However, I did find some alternatives for reasonable prices at a website called lifewithoutplastic.com. For a plastic-free toothbrush, the site offers wooden brushes that you’re able to compost or throw into a campfire when finished. The wood is sustainably harvested – beechwood – and its handle is preserved with vegetable oil.As for me, I avoided using my toothbrush that day. Thankfully, I used my Saturday to stay in, or else I would have had people questioning my hygiene.

After feeding pets, relieving myself, and brushing my teeth (being the first things I do everyday), I was off to the next thing. However, it was Saturday, and there wasn’t much for me to do in my apartment that didn’t include plastic. I couldn’t make a cup of coffee because my Keurig and the coffee cups are entirely plastic.Instead, I grabbed an aluminum coffee thermos and walked a half a mile to the Open Pantry. Let me tell you, if I didn’t love coffee so much, I would’ve really thought out this decision better. It snowed nearly a half a foot overnight and it wasn’t exactly pleasant outside. Not to mention, all my boots were plastic-made, so I had to wear rain boots that were rubber. I learned the hard way that they are not made for the snow.

I got my coffee in my refillable mug and realized that I couldn’t use a debit card to make this purchase. I had barely enough cash to pay for the bill. Oops. I walked home in the cold weather and thanked the manufacturing God that I had a car. When I got home, I sat down on the couch and thought of things I could do to keep myself occupied for the rest of the day. You’re not going to believe what I did next. I spent the whole day reading. I had a million novels that I needed to catch up on so I picked up the first and spent the whole day engulfed. Shocking for a Saturday, especially for me.

I’m sure there are trace amounts of plastic in the novels I read. Probably on the book’s jacket coating, or in the glue that holds it together, but you must give me something. By the time I realized I was reading a book about Scandinavian literature on a Saturday, when there were things like the Oregon vs. Oregon State game on, I figured it was time to eat. Well, I couldn’t open the refrigerator because it’s made entirely of plastic. So I opened my wooden cabinets and ate…Oatmeal. The packages are made of paper (with, I’m sure a line of plastic coating, but let’s be realistic here). I dumped it’s contents into a ceramic bowl only to realize that the milk was in the fridge, and I would need to use a plastic microwave to heat it up. I couldn’t even repackage or throw away the oatmeal because I couldn’t use plastic bags or my plastic garbage cans. So I left the bowl on the counter and walked away.

It was at this point that I realized I couldn’t possibly live without plastic. I spent an hour going to get coffee when regularly it only takes me 30 seconds. I had to cheat the system and allow myself a few items that were absolutely essential to live. I couldn’t even brush my teeth, which was getting to be absolutely disgusting after the coffee. And I was starving. I only lasted about four hours before I said “screw it, I’m ordering a pizza.”

So I failed the challenge. I grabbed my debit card and called with my cell phone to order a pizza because I was too bored, and too hungry to care anymore. You win plastic.

Here is a short list of things that I had to go without for that day, so you can feel the pain with me:

1) Toothbrush/paste

2) Deodorant

3) Hairbrush

4) Some pairs of shoes

5) Some pairs of underwear with elastic/plastic

6) Coffee maker!

7) Refrigerator

8) Microwave

9) Pretty much all my food that I could've made with the stove or oven but was conveniently wrapped in plastic

10) Car

11) Credit Card

12) Potentially toilet

13) TV

14) Laptop

15) Cell phone

16) Basically all electronics

17) Couldn't even close the blinds

18) Couldn't do laundry because of plastic detergent bottles

19) Make-up

p.s. Could you imagine what I looked like going to get coffee from the OP without having: brushed my teeth, my hair, put on deodorant, put on make-up, etc.? This would've been the perfect time to own one of those face-mask hats for hunting or whatever.