This I now do as routine: take all bags AND fruit bags when I go to grocery, re-use the spice plastic bags when I refill, have wide mouth pint jars always in my pickup for leftovers, try to do "you pick" if possible for blueberries and blackberries and IF I did have to use a plastic cup or bag for some reason, I will wash it out and use it more than once! Great challenge and I hope I'll keep it up :)

Oh this month has FLOWN by. I found it difficult to make no plastic a daily practice, BUT I did succeed on several days - at least more than I usually do so that is a start!  Hope you all at least thought about the use of plastics more and made a few changes. I have a feeling each time we do this, we will get better :)

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.

Have been on an island for the past two weeks and watching how islanders take environmental issues much more seriously. Seeing plastic in the ocean makes me feel sick. And adding the comment "just trying to do the right thing" ALWAYS gets a nod at any shop or restaurant 😉 

Gathered my five pieces of trash from the ocean in my kayak today. Wish they could be tracked to the owner and FINED big-time...

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.

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. 

Carried my bottles and bags today and wrapped leftovers in paper. 😉 It can be done!