I am too clumsy for a world without plastic. Without plastic in which to store my leftovers in the fridge and freezer, I would most likely die a death of a thousand cuts.
I do not co-exist well with breakable items, be it ceramic, glass, heck, even plastics. But when glass breaks, it results in a dangerous spray of sharp-edged pieces and slivers ready to embed themselves in any soft human (or canine) appendage available. It wastes a lot of resources to clean up because, honestly, how many people are going to keep and launder rags covered in glass. Do you really want to pull on a pair of underwear and discover the washing machine did not wash away that last sliver?
It's also expensive. While I can brew another pot of coffee to replace what splashed all over the floor today, it will cost a bit more to replace yet another coffee pot. The salt spilled when the salt shaker was dropped a few months back was inexpensive but it took a number of trips to thrift stores to replace the salt shaker itself. And it's really annoying when dinner is almost ready to be served and the cook drops the jar of seasoning as she's taking it out of the refrigerator.
Every time I break something, I feel that much more clumsy and frustrated. I'm worn out from cleaning up the messes. And I'm tired of people saying it's critical that I give up all my plastic storage containers - yes, even with all the nasty chemicals - and replace them with glass.
That just ain't gonna happen, folks. I'm not out buying new plastic pieces every week (or even year) so my contribution to the plastic problem is small enough that I refuse to continue to feel guilty about it.
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15 comments:
I would never tell you to give up your plastic. It would be rather hypocritical of me, given the amount of plastic in my own cabinets ;).
But I do have a suggestion for an alternative to a few of the glass items you mentioned and that is metal. Metal coffee pots and metal salt shakers are available, and wouldn't break ;).
I'm a little envious, though. I don't even have a salt shaker ... or a pepper shaker for that matter. I just shake it out of the container it comes in, which is pretty tricky when it's that cardboard salt container with the spout :).
I used to preach about all things enviro, and over the last year have become far less militant about my opinions on things. No matter what decision we make, someone is going to be unhappy - so we can only make those decisions that are best for us. No apologies.
Wendy - you know, I almost picked up the Coleman stainless steel French Press I saw a couple of years ago. I probably will eventually. I have never seen a metal salt shaker, though. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
Wendy, you need a salt and pepper shaker. They show up at thrift stores. I will even buy a pair and ship them to you if you email me your address!
Katie - I used to feel guilty for all the little things like this that I don't do. I'm feeling less and less guilty lately as I see what the majority of people are not willing to give up and what our governments are not willing to do.
I do what I can and continue to try to find ways to improve. However, I also need to keep some semblance of sanity in my life, and cutting myself on broken glass is not sane. :)
I think the wisest road is the middle road... you do so much to protect the environment that using and reusing plastic containers is actually a good thing... I'm assuming something came in them, right?... I reuse them, which is my way of recycling... wouldn't worry, in the least... you keep doing what you're doing... there will always be someone who doesn't agree with it... just think to yourself, what made them the litmus test of what's right and good about my life... then sit down and take a break... come visit when you can...
Twitter: SolarChief
Silver plate salt and pepper shakers are available round here - they don't break!
I have quite a bit of plastic but I just replace what I can (with stainless steel mostly) when I can.
Its amazing how much you can get in stainless steel or silver plate! Enamel tin plates and mugs are also in my collection. They do chip sometimes but I never worry much about that as it doesn't affect their use much unless they hole out.
viv in nz
Never apologize. Just do the best you can, every day, within your own limits.
End of story :)
Carolyn
www.project21days.blogspot.com
I use glass or metal containers as much as possible but I still freeze some things in plastic. How do you freeze meat or fish in glass? Even fruits or veggies that I freeze whole and then package up so I can remove only what is needed. I do freeze a lot in glass jars - jams, soups, chilies and so on but one has to be careful when handling as frozen glass jars are more susceptible to breakage. (I live in the frozen North where winter is the predominant reality so fresh, local produce is brief, at best.)
I agree - I grew tired of the eco-Nazis sowing guilt when, hopefully, we are doing the best we can.
I won't apologize, anymore, for using what plastic I have had for many years. I try not to get too many more things of plastic though.
We might not need the great variety of things made out of plastic that are out there for consumption but plastic usage in the field of medicine is a wise usage of plastic.
Carolyn is right.
peace, shamba
Sharlene - no, they are actually Rubbermaid containers I bought new....years ago. They last a long, long time. I've also picked up a few from yard sales and even salvaged a couple recently from the middle of the road.
Viv - ew, me and silver don't mix. What kind of stainless steel containers are you using? I have a couple of two-stack tiffins for restaurant leftovers but haven't used them in the fridge.
Carolyn - thanks. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with apologizing, though, or at least explaining why one chooses not to follow what seems to be the current conventional wisdom.
Diane - I have a few things in glass jars in the freezer, but it really makes me nervous...
And I feel like I can compromise on some of the smaller things like this when I do lots of good things with much bigger impacts: no kids, very few animal products in diet, local produce/grains/beans, low-consumer lifestyle, etc.
For now, everyone must find their own balance. The more one can do for oneself and the more one can do without, the better, however, since there may very well come a time (sooner rather than later) where one doesn't have a choice anymore!
I haven't managed to get rid of all the plastic, either. It's so useful ... I like those Pyrex glass refrigerator/oven containers with plastic lids. But I have a wonderful wooden salt shaker that is also a pepper grinder; if you can find one of those, I highly recommend it.
NM
My apologies to fake plastic fish- It is non- realistic to think we can live in a 100%plastic free world- medically they need to use plastic. Many times there is no alternative to using plastic responsibly.
OK That being said- I firmly believe in reducing not only plastic from the waste stream, but most all garbage- it is the right thing to do. We all know about lowering our dependence on plastic. God I have re-used zipper bags forever it seems. It is kkind of embarrassing to have and old cheese zip- lock bag hold salad. BUt guess what- no one notices!
Give up the guilt! You are an amazing role model! Sure, we've chosen to reduce the amount of plastic we bring into our home, and I'll keep blogging about it because it strikes a chord in me, but that doesn't mean everyone has to do the same, or feel guilt for not doing it. You're doing tons of stuff I haven't even touched yet. We do what we can, right? What works for us as individuals.
I have Tupperware and Rubbermaid products I bought in the 70s and 80s, and they aren't worn out yet, so they're staying. I reuse the last ziploc baggies I bought a year or more ago until they're no longer useful and have ten or so left. Meanwhile, I experiment with alternatives. And yes, sometimes I drop and break things. I keep a pile of oldest, most worn out rags for just those messes. They go in the trash with the shards and the goo and no guilt!
The more I try to avoid plastic, the more I realize how it is a part of everything I do. Try buying a refrigerator with no plastic parts. Or a car. Or a toy. The robber barons are not afraid we're going to run out of oil and not have energy to power our vehicles. They're afraid we'll run out of oil and bring the economy to a complete halt because they won't be able to make everything out of plastic anymore!
Guilt? Give it up! None of the work we are doing to build a better future is about guilt. It's about hope.
Chile: my Grandmother had metal salt and pepper shakers on the stove. Maybe they were aluminum, back in those days they didn't know it was bad for you. About two inches round, 4 inches tall with handles, like the ones in the back of this picture. You'd have to haunt estate sales or such as my Grandma's would be 50+ yrs old. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Files/Household/Tableware/Salt---Pepper-Shakers-11553283492.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Tableware/Cruet-Stand/&usg=__z_xHXxjpM5lEi6IFf1FqY7TZAE4=&h=360&w=360&sz=30&hl=en&start=2&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=YxxtJ4p2FeOQrM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmetal%2Bsalt%2Band%2Bpepper%2Bshakers%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1
Sorry for the long link.
NM - ah, wood. Can't break that as easily!
Rob - unfortunately, some items (wheat berries, dried beans) from our CSA come in plastic bags. So, I have a lifetime supply of plastic bags to re-use! I do try to avoid creating plastic waste but I'm tired of creating glass waste, too.
Kathryn - I guess we each have our particular passions, huh? As long as we all keep doing the best we can, that's progress.
Just wanted to say we are a 3-tiffin family--and I really wish we had even more for storing leftovers. They work very well in the fridge. I leave the metal frame off (for space reasons) which means they could potentially spill. And they can dent.
(and I suspect you are exaggerating how much you drop...but if you ever notice that you're dropping more than usual or anything like that, you might get a medical checkup. I say this only because my own growing clumsiness was eventually diagnosed as a brain tumor.)
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