The challenge comes to an end. It was an interesting month in which I learned a lot of my own habits and became more sensible for what I buy. Sometimes it is very challenging and stressful to find products without plastic, but I also learned that there are some alternatives and that there are several movements right now. In essence a good learning experience and I am grateful that I took part in it.

In case you do not know: Alliance against plastic waste. Please have a look: https://endplasticwaste.org/

I would like to share with you the Plastic free travel guide:
 https://www.hawaiiecotourism.org/plasticfreetravel/?utm_source=General+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=8d0114da40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_05_07_08_41_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e0bfea3004-8d0114da40-141266737

I am often a spontaneous shopper. Today I realized that I have to change that habit, too. I have always my shopping bag with me but of course not the boxes. When I was at the butcher and he told me I could bring my own box when I don't want to have plastic I was angry with myself  because of this spontaneous shopping I lost my point today! 😥 

Have you heard about the Plastic bank? They help poor people to earn money when they collect empty plastic bottles. They bring them to a certain location where the bottles are weight and get money back to earn their living.  The bottles are recycled and some companies use these recycled bottles for their products. Please have a look www.plasticbank.com.

Yesterday, I had a discussion with the woman behind the cheese counter. I did not want to have the cheese already packed because of the foil. She told me that in an organic food shop it is a no go to pack it in plastic and I said that I agree with her but she should look straight to the vegetables where you still find tomatoes in plastic, in paper boxes surrounded by plastic. I could see that she has not really noticed that. Ok, the foil around the cheese  is made of hemp. She showed it to me and it does not have the same quality. However, it is an alternative. 

Today, I wanted to buy something for my household. Every shop I have visited had the product wrapped in plastic. Although I need it I withstand and did not buy it. 

Shopping this week felt a little bit stressful because I had to visit several shops to find something without plastic. Sad, but at least something happens inside of me 😉.

While I have teeth issues and have been told by dentists to not with-go the electric toothbrush or the water-flosser, I did pick up a bamboo toothbrush for my husband, and we have eliminated the toothpaste in a tube. 

Do you also see plastic everywhere? I have the impression that since the challenge has started I realize that so much is wrapped in plastic and that people don't think about how they do their shoppings.

My employer has given everyone his own mug to avoid the to go mugs. We have a cafeteria where people can drink coffee or tea after lunch.

After being at the family reunion with quite a bit of single-use plastics, I was really somewhat relieved to go to the store and get everything I needed for the week without consuming any plastic packaging, wraps, or containers.