I had an interesting realization today about the timer that I use for my coffee. When the timer runs out of batteries, we usually throw it out and buy a new one because it's much cheaper to buy a whole new timer with batteries than to buy new batteries for it. So I'm counting that as a single-use plastic too.
We had a virtual lunch to welcome a new employee. Since we're all remote, we can expense lunch if we bring it back home to eat it. I chose a restaurant that minimizes plastic use by giving you the option to skip the disposable cutlery, napkin and bag, and they minimize the amount of plastic in their to-go containers. But it's still single-use plastic consumption!
Reduce & Reuse Highlights
Had leftovers for dinner
Single Use Plastic
I received more medicine for the cat in the mail, which came with a lot of plastic packaging and equipment.
Total items disposed of: 3
Total items used: 26
Total items with substitutes: 12
Item | Quantity | Disposed of immediately? | Were plastic free alternatives available? |
Toothbrush | 1 | No | Yes |
Toothpaste | 1 | No | Yes |
Timer | 1 | No | No |
Coffee | 1 | No | No |
Milk | 1 | No | Yes, glass or cardboard carton |
Coffee Syrup | 1 | No | Yes, glass container |
Cat's iron supplement | 1 | No | No |
Syringe for cat's iron supplement | 1 | No | Yes, reuse existing syringe |
Cat food packaging - specialty food | 1 | No | No |
Cat food packaging - regular food | 1 | No | Yes, canned food or meat |
Beef jerky packaging | 1 | No | No |
Plastic bag for beef jerky | 1 | No | Yes, reusable container |
Envelope with plastic window | 1 | Yes | No, received junk mail |
Envelope with plastic bubblewrap packaging | 1 | Yes | No, received in the mail |
Cat's medicine | 1 | No | No |
Syringe for cat's medicine | 2 | No | No, received as part of medicine delivery |
Plastic bag for cat's medicine | 1 | No (saved for later use) | No, received as part of medicine delivery |
Takeout container lid | 1 | Yes | No. Dine in was not an option because we had a virtual lunch for work. |
Styrofoam container | 1 | No (did not finish food) | No, I received it as a surprise. |
Deodorant | 1 | No | Yes |
Pretzels | 1 | No | No |
Shampoo and conditioner | 2 | No | Yes, shampoo/conditioner bars |
Body soap | 1 | No | Yes, bar soap |
Razor | 1 | No | Yes, metal or wood razors |
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