The problem with plastic is not plastic, but us! Plastic is durable, strong, versatile. It insulates, it packs, it can be molded. It is so stable a compound that it can last for centuries… And we use this long, long, long, long lasting material to create disposables that end up in the garbage after the 5 minutes it takes to drink soda with a straw, or the 30 minutes it takes to gobble down pasta …[Read more]
I have an Ikea ottoman which is essentially as old as my kids. It’s from the time right after my twins were born, when I was as energetic as a hibernating bear, and as grumpy too – primarily because I had given up on vital things essential to life – rest and coffee. My kids, bless their hearts, slept like babies – and I mean that literally, not in the clichéd way i.e. they woke …[Read more]
Of all single-use plastic items, clingwrap is the most frustrating. Yes, I know plastic straws are also a contender for the number 1 stop – but we have the option to replace them with reusables, or refuse them altogether. And strong clean plastic bags can be reused as well. But clingfilm? You are literally stuck with no option but the trash can! I started my plastic-reduction journey a few years ago, and by now it …[Read more]
At our home, nothing gets thrown into the dustbin without the scrutiny of 3 questions: Is it still in good enough condition to donate? If it is damaged, can we fix it? If we can’t fix it – can we use it for arts and crafts, or upcycle it? As you can imagine, the filter question number 3 means I have more cardboard boxes, egg cartons and general packaging than I care for – especially …[Read more]