Getting the plastic out

[Narn]

I have been focusing on getting the plastic out. I want to know about the little ways of getting the plastic out that aren't as obvious. I've also been trying to find ways to reuse the plastic I do have in my home:

- Use plastic bread bags for cat poop.
- Use bar soap instead of liquid soap to reduse plastic packaging. (Does anyone make a good shampoo bar?)
- Using the empty cat food bag for trash.
- Reusing those thin produce bags at the grocery store.

What do you do?

[MacroMama]

At our fav restaurant I take silverware and our own take out containers in order to reduce using their disposable ones.

[mgilleran@earth-co]

I have heard great things about Chagrin Valley shampoo bars. I haven't tried them yet, but a lot of people recommend them.

[Narn]

Originally Posted by MacroMama

At our fav restaurant I take silverware and our own take out containers in order to reduce using their disposable ones.

Me too! My DH hates this.

[*Jessica*]

Originally Posted by mgilleran@earth-co

I have heard great things about Chagrin Valley shampoo bars. I haven't tried them yet, but a lot of people recommend them.

I love Chagrin Valley shampoo bars!

[bwylde]

Originally Posted by Narn

- Reusing those thin produce bags at the grocery store.

You can make your own produce bags for next to nothing:

http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/...duce-bags.html

(this is a little different from the original tutorial I used, which is posted somewhere here on the boards, but it shows how it's done ).

Mine are pink with green string and always get looks at the checkout, lol!

[dawningmama]

Another big recommendation for Chagrin Valley! Their shampoo bars rock! I don't shampoo myself, but my kids do and those bars are wonderful on their hair!

I'm in the process of making (ok, ok, the planning phase of the process) more grocery and tote bags from plastic bags we still have around. Like this.

[Narn]

Originally Posted by bwylde

You can make your own produce bags for next to nothing:

http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/...duce-bags.html

(this is a little different from the original tutorial I used, which is posted somewhere here on the boards, but it shows how it's done ).

Mine are pink with green string and always get looks at the checkout, lol!

That's a great idea!

I personally don't use the little plastic bags, my DH does. It is difficult doing things differently for him. He gets embarassed. So when he's not on board with what I'm doing, I try my best to minimize his waste with my own methods.

[Narn]

Originally Posted by dawningmama

I'm in the process of making (ok, ok, the planning phase of the process) more grocery and tote bags from plastic bags we still have around. Like this.

This is exactly what I'm looking for!

[dawningmama]

I think those plastic totes made from plastic bags are going to make great take-toys-the-the-beach bags.

[Jojo F.]

We stopped using plastic food containers. Kmart has a nice set of glass containers for about $20. Now I'm trying to decide if I should just throw away the plastic containers or figure out another use for them.

Those produce bags are a great idea!!! I'm going to have to make the tote bags too

Oyin has a shampoo bar but I have not tried it yet. That's my next purchase- well after the new sewing machine!!

For our hand soap I have an old soap bottle I refill with melted bits of old castille soap.

Our neighbor drinks pop out of the liter bottles. I cut the bottom off and use them to cover my seedlings. Keeps the birds from eating them.

I'm sure there are more but I'm wiped out.

[northcountrymamma]

Originally Posted by dawningmama

I think those plastic totes made from plastic bags are going to make great take-toys-the-the-beach bags.

I wonder if you could knit with them? With really large needles?

Also, I am collecting the plastic bags that people use for newspapers (shame!) and using them at work for one of our therapies, we previously had to order bags from a bulk packaging place (paraffin wax for arthritic pains - i know i know, paraffin!). I hate plastic bags and if others are going insist on their use then I am DETERMINED to find a way to reuse them.

:

Also...I've posted elsewhere on this, but I am currently in the process of finding stainless steel containers for our lunches.
I found a bamboo shower curtain
made some cloth produce bags
ah, there's more, but I'm sleepy.

[mischievium]

EcoBags also makes really nice (and not too expensive!) produce bags. I am always amazed at the number of comments I get about the produce bags from the cashiers and other shoppers-- I mean, you'd think people shopping in Whole Foods in San Francisco would have seen them before (and some have), but most people don't think about going the next step beyond cloth grocery bags. And the produce bags really require very little upkeep-- just need to be thrown into the wash with the whites every now and then when/ if they get soiled.

[superstella]

Originally Posted by northcountrymamma

I wonder if you could knit with them? With really large needles?
Also...I've posted elsewhere on this, but I am currently in the process of finding stainless steel containers for our lunches.
I found a bamboo shower curtain
made some cloth produce bags
ah, there's more, but I'm sleepy.

Can you tell me more about the bamboo shower curtain?

[Raven]

Plastic Bag Crafts

[dawningmama]

Originally Posted by Raven

Plastic Bag Crafts

Thanks!

Northcountrymama, are you on ravelry? I found a couple of knit patterns there for plastic bags.

Oh, here's a tutorial on turning plastic bags into "yarn." Great project for kiddos to help with!

[barose]

We have got to get some produce bags. I will see if I can make some (buy a few first). But we take home so much plastic its ridiculous. :

We reuse them, but they are also toxic and does get soiled eventually.

[ChinacatPoppins]

Originally Posted by MacroMama

At our fav restaurant I take silverware and our own take out containers in order to reduce using their disposable ones.

I totally LOVE this idea! I always have silverware in the car (DH says I am ready to be stranded for days)... but never thought about a container for extras... Granted we do not go out much... what an awesome tuck away idea... Thanks Mama!

[northcountrymamma]

Originally Posted by superstella

Can you tell me more about the bamboo shower curtain?

Actually I found it at Home Outfitters (do those exist in the states?)
I was shocked to find it! But they have a whole bamboo section. It's really soft, beige but the thing that really sucks is that is catches the draft and blows towards me...seriously my biggest pet peeve in the world!!!: So I'm pricing out shower doors for my tub.

[IntuitiveJamie]

IMO it is best to continue using the plastic I already have until it is no longer useable, then I will recycle it if possible. With tupperware, when it can't be used anymore I'll buy glass. I don't heat anything up in it, just store stuff in it. I am not using plastic on the kids anymore. Need more sigg cups and kleen kanteens. I don't use the plastic bags at the grocery store and don't feel the need to buy or make anything to replace them. I don't seem to have a prob. just getting produce without a bag. Any plastic bags I do get sometimes (if I forget my cloth ones..and yes, it happens) I take to the libraries and they use them to give to ppl to carry their books in. Or I take them to the small co op here in town and they have them for customers to use and they never supply any others. I love that! If I have something plastic, like clothes baskets that I do wish to replace with bamboo or something, then I will donate them b/c I'm sure there is someone out there that doesn't care if they use plastic or not and they will accept it. That's all I can think of at the moment.