Frances Gummere

I liked that the video discussed the issue of pollution with plastic bottles, which then pollutes the local drinking water for towns/cities. We can call our representatives and we can create community petitions and awareness of the practices of bottling companies. I like that she suggested we should advocate for drinking fountains to make a comeback. I think that it's also the responsiblity of America to continue to ensure that places like Flint don't fade from the spotlight and that people know that their struggles with water are still continuing. 

I've actually gotten rid of all of the listed items. My daughter and I created our own bags before this challenge started out of old t-shirts. We also bought bamboo straws and I keep them in their little pouch in my purse. Additionally, I've completely forgone veggie-bags at stores. I know there are mesh alternatives but I just quit using them and I put my produce directly into my cart. My neighborhood grocery hasn't said anything about it, so I assume they don't care. The only thing that I think is probably still an issue would be coffee cups, and that's more of an issue for my husband then for me. 

While there are individual examples of people that I know forgoing plastic straws this definitely hasn't become a mainstream occurence. Waiters and waitresses still give you the side eye when you decline straws at restaurants or they'll leave them on your table anyway. I think that people simply need to be more persistent with this, in my community. 

Other benefits to this is cutting down food costs, and thus cutting further plastic use or even gasoline use. 

I honestly feel really great about the disposable cups issue. I always feel bad when we get one and I just know it's going to go in the trash. My daughter already uses a ton of reusable cups and honestly she's been a better rolemodel then I have. The next thing that I want to work harder on is purchasing (or making) the beeswax covers in order to get rid of plastic wrap.