Perhaps you have signed the pledge to be plastic free in July or have been inspired by hearing about the terrible amount of plastic in our oceans and landfill?
Perhaps you have started to think about how you will do without this single use plastic?
Perhaps the thought of being without single use plastic sends you into a flutter?
Or some things you just can’t do without?
You’re not alone!
Our household has slowly consumed less plastic over the years but there are still moments when I feel quite a bit of eco guilt over bringing plastic home. Do you feel this?
This eco guilt can be overwhelming but I think we all need to start looking at the positives, look at where you are making changes – even if they are small, because of that small change you are leaving less plastic waste behind.
This week I tried to buy my meat from the butcher’s in a reusable container but due to Health and Safety regulations I couldn’t. I was very disappointed as not only was I nervous about asking, I was then not able to do what I thought was the best.
On reflection (once I got over the disappointment) I realised that these bags could be recycled (RED cycle program through Coles) Or can be washed with hot, soapy water and reused for smelly nappies or on the go rubbish.
So I guess what I am trying to say is – celebrate your wins. Celebrate what your family can do and what you can manage. Perhaps making your own bread is just too hard right now and even though there are single use bags, the butcher’s up the road is just too convenient while you have young kids or are getting home late from work.
Aim for some swaps and give yourself time. We can all do this, one bit at a time.
Try these easy swaps:
Plastic bags – reusable bags (leave them in the car!)
Grow your own herbs
Buy loose leaf tea
Buy a reusable cup that you can have take away hot drinks in.
Buy your meat and vegetables in bulk from Coops or delivery companies.
Educate.Empower. 
This is a great post, Vanessa. I agree that we must reduce the amount of plastic we use, and reuse or recycle as much of it as we can. Since I started using Green Sacks for my fruit and vegetables purchases, the quantity of plastic I bring into the house has reduced dramatically. Unfortunately, tote bags can be just as, or more, harmful to the environment as disposable one-use bags. I did some research a couple of years ago and found that the reusable bags need to be used many times to be less harmful than using disposable bags. I couldn’t find the same article now, but I found these two that support those findings: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/to-tote-or-note-to-tote/498557/ and http://www.allaboutbags.ca/reusablesgreenerrmyth.html As you say in your headline, “It ain’t easy being green” and it is difficult enough to be informed, let alone do the right thing. I always feel good about using my tote bags and my Green Sacks, carrying a fold-up shopping bag in my handbag at all times (and remembering to use it), recycling plastic containers and returning plastic packaging to Coles. I see many other people doing these things too. We think we are doing the right thing, but it’s hard to be sure. What we need is for manufacturers to reduce the packaging for a start. Your advice to buy in bulk would certainly help towards that. Many people are now shopping online, and goods are being transported all over the world – I wonder what the environmental cost of that is. Being green, and caring for our planet, takes a concerted effort from all of us. I applaud you for spreading the word.
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