We gave up plastic for Lent for various reasons but mostly as a way of challenging ourselves to be more conscious and mindful of our consumption habits. It's actually been easier than we predicted (perhaps a more strenuous fast is in order...), and we've found ourselves getting more organised - e.g. we have to sort out the bread-maker every evening if we want a sandwich the next day because we can't just buy convenient bread anymore which means we have to keep well stocked with (plastic free) ingredients; we have to have carrier bags with us all the time (not such a headache really); we're far more conscious of our milk and food usage so we have to plan meals and be better prepared in general... and healthier.
However, we (or to be honest, I) have slipped a few times. So far, I've unwittingly bought the plastic seal of a mayonnaise jar... twice; in desperation we indulged in some plastic coated Lurpak when real butter was no where to be found; I had to buy a DVD for an essay; I lost my library card and really, really had to get another (very, very frustrating); we bought a new wheely suitcase to ease the mammoth task of traveling with the girls; and, perhaps most annoyingly of all, when I went to the market yesterday with the specific intention of getting packaging-free cheese - with the smell of fresh fish all around - I happily ordered my 400 grams of mild Cheddar and forgot all about my plasticless requirements... never mind.
The most interesting thing, I think, is the fact that having two young children has not hindered the project at all. Whenever we've bought plastic, it's mostly because of my thoughtlessness or laziness or as a one off investment, and not at all because of the girls.
It's also undeniable that, because of our self-imposed prohibition of plastic-wrapped biscuits, we're eating a lot more homemade cake, shortbread and flapjack (for our sins).
Happy St Patrick's Day.
Do you get your milk delivered in glass bottles (apart from the stuff that Ailsa produces)? Our milkman vanished without a trace last year.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I should have been more precise: we have our cow milk (we presume it's from a cow) in glass bottles delivered from Shepherd's in Garstang (01995 603022). You can call the delivery people directly: Diane and Simon Brayfield (01524 752329). They deliver to Galgate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It's important to specify that you want glass pint bottles because they appear to deliver most of their other products in plastic... including water... I've no idea how much they charge, we haven't crossed that bridge yet (perhaps it's free!). Ailsa delivers the milk milk.
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