Erica Dellwo

Owl Moon Meadow

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
255 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

zero-waste meals

consumed

Erica's actions

Food

Shop the Bulk Bins

I will purchase dry goods from the bulk section of my grocery store, and use my own containers to do so.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

I will prepare 2 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Personal Care

Lather Up

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Erica Dellwo 7/22/2019 6:30 PM

This challenge to go "plastic-free" for a month has been really eye-opening. I didn't think I used that much plastic - gosh, our two person household only throws out one small bag of trash each week, normally. But suddenly I'm looking at everything with a critical eye. Well, what can I say. I won't let perfection be the enemy of the good. I've adopted some changes that I'm going to keep, and add to those as I go.

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Erica Dellwo 7/10/2019 9:06 PM

I called Barr-Tech, the commercial composting facility that accepts the materials in Spokane's green yard waste carts. I asked about compostable plates, cutlery & cups from large parties/picnics. I was told that anything labeled "compostable" can be composted at their facility, but it's best to bag everything in a "compostable" bag (they get theirs from Office Depot!) Make sure it says "compostable" because the driver might mistake it for trash. Recommended sites: EcoVita.co, "LetsGoGreen", GreenPaperProducts.com, and Composting Council were suggested resources.

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- Erica Dellwo 7/22/2019 6:02 PM
  
  I will just add that WinCo stocks these "compostable" cups, utensils, plates, bowls, etc. in the same aisle as other picnic supplies. So far, they have the best prices I've found.
  
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Erica Dellwo 7/10/2019 8:54 PM

Yeah, failed again. Breakfast yogurt = plastic tub. Lunchtime peanut butter = plastic jar (although WinCo has a peanut grinder in the bulk aisle - I'll go there next). Dinner tempeh = plastic freezer bag. I just can't do it.

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- Barb Brock 7/18/2019 9:57 PM
  
  Keep trying! 💝
  
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Erica Dellwo 7/07/2019 10:04 PM

I'll admit I'm finding it very hard to go "plastic-free" for my meals. My coffee beans come in a plastic bag; my soy milk carton has a plastic spout in the side of it; I don't know where to buy cheese that's not shrink-wrapped in plastic; the Parmesan cheese and spices for tonight's pasta (purchased from the bulk bin at least) came in -you guessed it- plastic bottles. This exercise has raised my awareness, and I can honestly say that I'm a convert to the bulk bins, but I don't know how to live without plastic.

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Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 9:48 PM

Hi, Barb, I loved your message to the team - a good reminder to check in on a regular basis. Actually, I've been shopping thrift shops, antiques stores, consignment stores, estate and yard sales, and Craigslist first for "new to me" goods and clothing for several years. I only buy something new when I've searched and searched and had no luck. It's amazing what's out there. And don't forget to check your local library (most have more than just books) and rental options.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Lather Up

What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 12:04 PM

Uh, actually I'm not aware of any personal benefits. I'm paying more and have to go out of my way to go to the one store that offers this refillable bottle option. I'm going to do it because it's the right thing to do and I can.

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Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 11:52 AM

How's my challenge going? Yesterday was errand day and I forgot my dang bottle for buying conditioner in bulk, so I'll need to go back another day. I got hungry so I went to Subway; my order was "to go" but it was only wrapped in paper, and I said no bag and no napkins, and they graciously agreed to let me refill my water bottle.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Shop the Bulk Bins

How has buying bulk impacted the quality of the food you receive? Why do you think Western society relies more on prepackaged foods rather than buying in bulk?

Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 11:42 AM

Buying bulk is the same quality as buying prepackaged, as far as I'm concerned. I think Western society relies more on prepackaged foods for several reasons: Time, Brand Identification, and Choice. Time - Families work hard and are always taking their kids to enrichment activities; getting foods from bulk and deli takes time. Brand Identification - Companies work hard to distinguish their product from the competition; most bulk items have no brand. Choice - My kitty has a sensitive stomach and even barfs out most "sensitive stomach" food formulas; my only choice is to buy prepackaged food (and yes, we reuse the empty food bag for disposing of his kitty litter).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?

Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 11:30 AM

Inventory of my kitchen. Well, I have a roll of cling wrap that must be a couple of years old by now as I have a lot of washable, re-usable alternatives. Most plastic bags have two uses here: collecting trash and soiled kitty litter.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Takeout Pro

How could you mitigate issues that may arise if the restaurant does not want to let you use your own containers at first?

Erica Dellwo 7/03/2019 11:02 AM

If they claim this is a health department issue, I'll contact the health department to learn the rules. If the rules allow for me to bring my own containers, I'll contact the manager and explain why this is so important to me. I find most of the people I talk to are very warm and understanding.

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