My #plasticsux Challenge Results

Hey folks!

Time for a plastic confession. I’ve had this blog for 3 years now, am a staunch opponent of single-use plastics and yet…I’ve never done a “show your plastic trash” challenge. Weird, right? I find that weird.

Well, I was puttering around Instagram a couple of weeks ago and noticed a photo advertising something called the Keep a Breast Non-Toxic Revolution Plastic Sucks Challenge, to be held April 14-20. The goal? Try to go a week without using any new plastic. A pledge against plastic. Anyone who’s been on Beth Terry’s My Plastic-Free Life website knows exactly what I’m talking about.

Anyway, I went for it. It’s a new year, it’s springtime, why not jump into a challenge? I’m already maintaining a pretty plastic-free life as it is…could it really be so hard?

Turns out, it kind of was. When all was said and done, I had amassed 49 pieces of plastic in one week, the majority of which were grocery store receipts and produce stickers. Yucko!

But it’s not all bad news. The cool thing about a challenge like this is that it really gives you an idea of what you consume, how much, and how often. For instance, I discovered that I go to the grocery store way too much, and can totally cut back my visits (even though I love my co-op so, so much!). You start to see things a little differently, like, “Did I really need that bag of Skittles for that trip to the movies when I knew I was going to see Evil Dead?” or “Why am I buying a plastic box of spinach when I can find it in bulk just as easily?” Stuff like that. I know for me at least, it was a chance to slow down and take stock of the important things.

So, thanks to the Keep-A-Breast Non-Toxic-Revolution, I’ve attacked plastic with renewed zeal. No more receipts for this gal! 🙂

Anybody else want to take the challenge? After all, it IS Earth Month…

(How ’bout we make it Earth Year? All in favor say aye!)