Elizabeth Shafer

This has been an important and interesting challenge for me; while I didn't complete all the daily actions , it made me more aware of the choices I make in daily life, to reduce and refuse plastics; and to tell other people about this.

I realize we're nearing the end of the month, and I have not been doing specific daily challenges; however, I signed on to a letter written by Janet Asian and other members of the Saugerties Green team, to Adams Fairacre Farm. Mother Earth's Storehouse, and Pricechoppper in Saugerties.  I continue to be inspired and energized by the actions of Susan Murphy, Vivian Beatrice, Ana Bergen, Janet Asian, and other members of our team!

I have not been able to keep up with my challenges recently due to guests; however, when my grandchildren departed a few days ago I packed them sandwiches in waxed paper bags rather than plastic ones for their plane trip.

I've been thinking about your question, Vivian, and agree it's an important one, as to how restaurants figure  how to fit their food into containers to be taken out. I  had better luck with a Japanese restaurant, which unquestionly  filled my tiffin boxes with maki, than with the creperie cafe that had to resort to other containers. I think it's mostly a matter of size, i.e. maki are smaller than crepes--but I'll continue working on this issue!

Today is the first day of the ban on single-use plastic bags! Yesterday I took my tiffin boxes to a local restaurant and asked  to have them filled  with crepes for take-out food for our children and grandchildren.  The restaurant people complied willingly but still added small plastic cups for salad dressing. I will ask them not to do this the next time I go there.

I have not checked in for the past few days, Burt I recently bought some metal straws (with pipe cleaners) and, although I'm don't use straws myself, give them to my grandchildren to use!

I wrote an e-mail to  state senator George  Amedore,  asking him to do all he can to encourage  public compliance with the ban on single-use plastic bags that goes into effect on July 15th

Also, today I bought some cold cuts for guests tomorrow (I don't eat meat myself) and it was put in zippered  plastic bags. These bags  look so nifty I've resolved to wash them after using them, and then re-use them!

I've always been told that bread stays fresher when kept I. a plastic bag, but today I bought some bread and wrapped it in a beeswax-covered cloth...I've been writing too much about my personal challenges, but  on July 5th I'll start writing to legislators.