The Plastic Challenge

I’ve chosen to attempt the plastic challenge today, a Saturday, because with few responsibilities and bitterly cold weather outside, I have no objections to staying home as much as possible. On Friday I attempted to prepare for my plastic-less day by finding alternatives that could be used. Looking around my apartment, it was hard to know where to start. I realized plastic was in our countertops, light switches, window blinds, doors, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and even toilets. Nonetheless, I conveniently placed the non-plastic alternatives I did have with hopes that I could make it through the day.

When I woke up on Saturday, I wasn’t rushed to get up and start my day since there wasn’t going to be much for me to do anyways. Luckily I had a bar of soap or else showering wouldn’t have been an option. When I went downstairs to find some breakfast, I was faced with a limited variety when I opened my cabinet.

I opted to make some tea and oatmeal since both of these simply required hot water. I was able to use some kitchen utensils but found that I was limited in my variety here too. Even the non-plastic utensils I did have had identical plastic versions.

The rest of my day was fairly uneventful and my meals were very plain. I managed to read a book, take some notes for this diary with a wooden pencil (since I was planning on uploading the actual diary on the internet, I had to wait until the next day to use my computer), make a friend-ship bracelet J, and go for a walk.

All in all, it is nearly impossible to function in modern society without encountering plastics. Even by secluding myself in my apartment, which I doubt I could handle doing again, it was difficult to avoid using plastics. Plastic is found in nearly all food products’ packaging, technologies, and modes of transportation. Despite plastic’s abundance in modern society, it is important that we realize there are alternatives. However, even more importantly, perhaps it is time plastic is thought of as the alternative.

Mike Geiger

IES: 113 - DIS 301 ( Tiffany)