Quitting the Plastic Habit!

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I am a wannabe environmentalist and a wannabe minimalist but I am a long way from perfection! These things are important to me so I keep chipping away at them daily and I love to share it! I recently took a Master Recycling class with the city of Flagstaff and that class got me re-inspired to get on the right track.

Here are a few areas in my life where I have found I can quit the plastic habit:

  1. Food storage: I am almost fully transitioned to glass food storage containers; pyrex, rubbermaid, whatever works for you!
  2. Drinking glass: I feel like plastic cups are always sneaking their way into my house! I know that having real glass cups is tough or impossible for those of you with little ones. I am constantly decluttering plastic cups from my home!
  3. Plastic Wrap: I don’t use a lot of this anyway, since I have plenty of glass containers, but I did buy some Bee’s Wraps and recently saw a DIY version!
  4. Zip lock bags: Well aren’t these convenient! I try really hard not to reach for ziplocks and use these reusable bags instead, they are probably plastic too but at least reusable. It’s a process for me, you guys! Click here to see another reusable non plastic option.
  5. The Target/Sprouts/grocery bag situation: This is probably an easy one for me, I have cloth grocery bags that I leave in my car. I recently got these produce bags too.
  6. Beauty Products: This is a bit harder for me and something I am new too. I try occasionally though!
  7. Kid’s lunch: We have had Lunch Bots for years!
  8. All Single Use Plastic: This is probably the hardest for me – it takes a total mind shift because it’s everywhere!

I’m sure the list is endless but in addition to the things listed above, I try to avoid plastic straws, plastic to-go cups and containers, plastic water bottles, coffee pods and plastic utensils. I am even trying out a bamboo toothbrush and I like it!

My Goals:

  1. Bringing bags when I shop, not just to the grocery store
  2. Bringing pyrex to restaurants for leftovers (I have not done this yet and would probably embarrass my family but oh well!)
  3. Make more of my own beauty and cleaning products
  4. Buy whole foods and avoid packaged food (but I have middle school boys so give me a break here!)

So with all of that said, please don’t call me out when you see me buying toilet paper wrapped in two layers of plastic at Target tomorrow (why is that necessary by the way?) as there are quite a few things I have not found alternatives for! And if you really want to be inspired check out these zero waste documentaries and this zero waster!

This is our landfill, Flagstaff!…

Photo by Katie Woodard Photography 

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Katie Woodard
Katie has lived in Flagstaff for 22 years and grew up in North Carolina. She has 10 and 12 year old boys who are certainly an adventure! Her family is by far the most rewarding part of her life. Katie loves hiking and running in our beautiful hills, skiing, river rafting, traveling, health and clean eating (thanks to a whacky thyroid). She is also always taking small steps to clean up our environment, and she is currently learning meditation and just loves learning in general! Katie and her college roommate drove to AZ from VA after college and Katie has only left briefly but Flagstaff is her home for sure! She met her wonderful husband while river guiding in the Grand Canyon. Katie is a family photographer at www.katiewoodardphotography.com, here in Flagstaff and loves capturing the natural love and beauty in families. Her newest fun adventure is co-founding Women Empowering Northern Arizona.