Plastics Challenge: Ali Goldstone, Section 310

So it was decided. I would be attempting to live plastic-free on Thursday, December 2^nd. Mondays and Wednesdays would not work, since I have to drive in my plastic-filled car to my internship in Middleton. I have only one class on Friday, so that would be a bit too easy. And by this time, Tuesday had come and gone.

8:15 AM. My cell phone alarm rings. I turn it off, not feeling guilty yet (the outside of the phone is made of glass and stainless steel, although there is sure to be plastic on the wiring and processing chips). I began to think that maybe my whole day would be this easy. Because I wouldn’t be able to shower, (since everything I would need to use, beside the handle to turn on the water, involves plastic at some level: my plastic Venus razor, my plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles, my Dove soap that was packaged in a cardboard box, with a plastic lining), I rolled over and tried to fall asleep for a little longer. This is when I realized how hard it would be to avoid plastic all day – I had already failed repeatedly before even getting out of bed! Although my sheets are 100-percent cotton, my comforter is filled with synthetic fluff (fail), my bed frame, though made of wood, has a white, plastic overlay (fail), and my pillows and memory foam mattress are bound to be filled with plastic materials (fail… and fail).

8:30 AM. A bit discouraged I finally roll out of bed, only to step onto my carpet, which is of course made with a number of synthetic materials (fail). I walk into my bathroom to get ready for class. This time I felt alright about using plastic – I grabbed my toothbrush to spare my friends. I thought I was in good shape when I went to wash my face, since my cleanser comes in a glass bottle and my washcloths are 100-percent cotton, but realized I was wrong when I had to press the plastic pump on top of the bottle (fail).

8:45 AM. When it came time to grab something quick for breakfast, I was at a loss. Without thinking, I had eaten my last apple the day before after getting home from class; there were no bananas either. Everything else I had involved failing the challenge once more. Cinnamon oatmeal would involve a plastic-lined individual package, and touching the plastic handle of the microwave. Pouring a bowl of cereal would require me to open the plastic bag in which it’s contained, and after that, to open the refrigerator, with its plastic handle. Eggs, in a cardboard carton, cooked in a pan without Teflon would be great, until I needed to wash the pan with our sponges made of synthetics and dish soap in a plastic bottle. I’d even have to fail to make a measly slice of toast, since the bread is packaged in plastic. I decided on the oatmeal (fail).

9:00 AM. As I rushed out the door, I quickly bundled up (fail-my warm, waterproof Northface jacket is definitely not made from natural materials) turned off the light in my room (fail), grabbed my metal water bottle (fail-plastic cap!), and locked the door (FAIL! My lanyard from the bookstore is made from synthetic material).

From here, it was all downhill. I went to class and sat down in the plastic chair (fail). I opened my backpack (fail) as class began, only to find that my notebooks have a plastic on them (fail) and the only writing utensils I had were pens and mechanical pencils (fail). The rest of my classes went the same. I did have a small glimmer of what I thought was going to be a successful (short) period of time when I arrived in 70 Science Hall for my advising meeting. The only chair that I sat in all day that was not plastic, was a wood one in Tristin’s office. Things were looking good! But then she handed me a plastic pen to sign the form to declare my Environmental Studies certificate (fail, again). After my meeting I headed to Subway for lunch, in order to avoid the plastic trays and utensils at the Union. It turns out that Subway wasn’t my brightest idea of the day, either. I had no cash, so I had to use my debit card (fail) to buy my food that was handed to me in a plastic bag (fail). After this letdown, I decided to take a timeout for a bit (not that I had been doing so well anyhow…). I gave in and ate my sub, while reading an assignment on my computer. After my classes had ended for the day, around 4 PM, I spent the majority of the evening sitting on the synthetics-filled couch in my living room, chatting and watching TV with my roommates.

Although my day was characterized mostly by failing, I’m happy I at least attempted to go for one day without plastics. Without preparing for my day without plastics the night before, may plastics-free day was definitely challenging, but it forced me to become more cognizant of just how ubiquitous plastic has become.