phasing out paper and plastic items - Page 2

[DevaMajka]

We ran out of paper towels, and I don't want to buy more. I had a sheet with a big hole in it, so I cut that up, and I use those scraps for the "gross" things that I would have used paper towels for- dog vomit, cleaning chemicals (I don't use them much, but sometimes it's the only thing that seems like it will work), etc that I don't want touching the washcloths that we wash dishes and faces with.
So, old rags are GREAT replacements for paper towels!

[Catherine12]

We use glass storage containers (with plastic lids), a combo of pyrex and martha stewart. You can freeze stuff in them. Pyrex even makes a container that is perfect for sandwiches, which is what dh takes to work (I think this is it: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...n-20/ref=nosim)

Paper towels are totally unnecessary - I haven't bought one for three years. I have a couple sets of cloth rags and washcloths that I use (one set for icky messes like poop or pee, the other for more "food-safe" uses like wiping a counter). A really great source of rags is OLD SOCKS (this also solves the problem of what to do with your socks once you've worn big holes in the toe).

I've found that unbleached muslin (which is really cheap) makes a good handkerchief.

You can buy cloth menstrual pads online (or, rarely, in the right kind of store) or make them pretty easily by cutting an infant size prefold in half or thirds. I sewed the half-prefold to some old pairs of underwear so that it would stay put, but you could also sew velcro tabs on or something. A little bulkier than plastic pads, but it works.

And yes, some of my relatives think we're weird for doing all this... but over time they have learned to bring their own tissues and keep quiet.

[oldgirl,newtricks]

I have to ask how using something with PUL is any different than putting a sandwich in a washable plastic container? From what I've been able to read, PUL is not designated to be food safe. Someone steer me in a different direction if I'm wrong. The sandwich wrapper thing still has food safe plastic in it, so again, I don't see a difference in using that over Tupperware.

I have found as I get older, large glass containers are getting heavier and heavier. The plastic containers I use are all food safe and they have lasted a couple of decades. I rarely purchase items in glass jars. Things like sauces, I make from scratch. I have a soft spot in my heart for old Pyrex ware from the 50's. They have lids. You could probably find them at garage sales.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pyrex-Primary-Co...QQcmdZViewItem

The thing which is nice about Pyrex, is it can go from freezer to oven or microwave. It's dishwasher safe. It's easy to eliminate the throw away items (except I'm not wanting to do family cloth either.) Just don't buy those. For other items, use what you have until it wears out. Look at what comes into your home with a new eye. If you buy bread at the store or bakery, those bags are all food safe. Reuse them several times. Get creative with items already coming into your home.

Gloria

[BornInSeptember]

I want to try and get rid of napkins, paper towels and saran wrap. I have a LONG way to go, so these three would be a big step for me.

As you can see in my sig, I am still learning.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by BornInSeptember

I want to try and get rid of napkins, paper towels and saran wrap. I have a LONG way to go, so these three would be a big step for me.

As you can see in my sig, I am still learning.

Welcome! :

There is lots to learn here!

[Delight]

I'm too lazy to re-type...so here is the link to my blog entry on choosing cloth.

[Catherine12]

Napkins: buy or make cloth ones.

Paper towels: I think I posted about this before... buy a pack of cheap washcloths or use old scraps (such as worn out socks, or cut up a towel or sheet that you don't use any more). Code some of them "food safe", for cleaning counters, etc., and some "not food safe", for cleaning floors, potty accidents and the like. Make sure everyone knows where they are. Once you get the routine down of using them then tossing them in the wash it is hardly less convenient than paper towels - but cheaper and they don't fall apart when you scrub.

Saran wrap - this is harder. I do actually use it on occasion (we go through about one roll a year). I try to use containers with washable, reusable lids instead. Aluminum foil can also sometimes be substited, and you can recycle it when you're done. You can also try reusing the same piece of plastic wrap several times. The one application I haven't found a plastic wrap substitute for is covering things in the microwave.
We buy Natural Value brand plastic wrap, which is PVC and plasticizer free. So at least it's a little healthier...

[kellid]

I had a similar question about freezing and here is the great advice I was given.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=542334

[talia rose]

to-go ware is made by a different company than klean kanteen, though both are excellent products. you can find them here.... www.organicgrace.com

[sedalbj]

we have been using cloth rags in place of paper towels for over a year, and our only problem is where to put them after they are dirty and wet, but laundry day is days away. it is key to really analyze how and where you will use them, and where you will put the dirties. if you put them in a non-ventilated container they will get stinky quickly. my dh hated our cloth rags for months because i couldn't figure out a good system.

also, cloth menstrual pads (or a diva cup) is a great idea. also i just cut up old t-shirts of dh's for snot rags. we tried old flannel for awhile but it made our noses hurt, old t-shirts are much softer.

[carrotstick]

I love my Martha glass "tupperware." I got 2 sets and I have had them for almost 3 years and they look as good as the day I got them. For my son's lunch I re-use plastic containers (yogurt, olives, etc.) but I need to get rid of baggies... It is so hard when it is a "wet" food... I should get a cloth bag for dry things like pretzels, though...

We also use old clothes/towels for rags, the really stained ones become the "throw away rags" for things like puke and the rest go in the wash.

[Eli's_mommy]

You guys should please come visit the green living tribe!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=573209

[Awaken]

Originally Posted by Eli's_mommy

You guys should please come visit the green living tribe!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=573209

Thanks, I subbed. It seems like most of MDC would be included in that tribe!

[Greenmama13]

Originally Posted by SoggyGranolaMomma

For freezing stuff, freezer paper and paper tape would work right? Pyrex containers come with plastic lids that theoretically don't come in contact with the food.

They do make wax paper bags for sandwiches and small snacks to use for kid (or grownup)lunches.

Do you know if these (wax paper) are recyclable?

[teacup]

Originally Posted by sedalbj

we have been using cloth rags in place of paper towels for over a year, and our only problem is where to put them after they are dirty and wet, but laundry day is days away.

I read about someone who puts them in a lingerie (ventilated) bag. I tried finding an over-the-door hanger with 6 or so bars (it looks like a ladder) that a friend has, but couldn't find one. I like that solution best, becaue there was so much space on it. I got one that simply has lots of hooks on it and drape, drape, drape.

[Pookietooth]

The problem with stainless steel is that it has nickel in it, which a lot of people (myself included) are allergic to. That just leaves glass, which seems hard, especially for lunches and the freezer (my freezer is tiny and full, so stuff always falls out of it).

[catcobalt]

system for cloth rags

Originally Posted by sedalbj

we have been using cloth rags in place of paper towels for over a year, and our only problem is where to put them after they are dirty and wet, but laundry day is days away. it is key to really analyze how and where you will use them, and where you will put the dirties. if you put them in a non-ventilated container they will get stinky quickly. my dh hated our cloth rags for months because i couldn't figure out a good system.

:

Delurking here to say "Yikes!"

We use floursacks towels to dry dishes, and a ton of washclothes to 1) wash dishes, 2) clean kitchen, 3) wipe up spills around the kitchen at the table, 4) wiping son's messy face or running nose in allergy season. We also have a larger size washcloth for drying hands etc in the kitchen and have reusable cloth mop pads.

The rule in the house is that all the cloth is "single use" so there are no stinky rags sitting around, and no cross contamination.

Once the cloth has been used it gets tossed in a round stainless steel flip top garbage pail.

This is 1 foot in diameter, 2 foot high, the kind that you step on to lift the lid, with a plastic pail insert you can pull out. The can lid seals in odor until wash day--and you can lift the pail out by the handle and dump the contents into the washing machine without having to handle scummy rags.

This system does take up a little floor space in our kitchen, however, the "single use" policy means that we usually wash rags every couple of days--so not too much time for smell to build up. We know its time to wash when the basket we keep all the cloth in starts looking empty (usually means we are running out of washcloths).

But then we don't have a single laundry day--I do wash towels, sheets on specific days each week, but clothes get taken to the laundry area as hampers fill up, and washed when a load accumulates, which works out to whites once a week and a load of colors every other day or so.

The one place the system breaks down is when we go camping or travel for more than a couple of days. I usually do a load of cloth the night before, and then, sadly, we must revert to a few paper towels the next morning before we leave. All so we don't have stinky cloth sitting and fermenting while we are gone.

Kat