I think what surprises me the most are companies that purposely use microplastic like toothpaste or facial wash.  I also bet you didn't know these microbeads can get embedded in your gums. Another reason to purchase zero waste products. 

I think many of us still have a NIMBY mentality, and you cannot bury your head to avoid the need for equal protection and meaningful involvement in the equitable distribution of environmental benefits. I am not sure if people are afraid to approach the issue, choose to ignore it, or just don’t want to deal with it. Watching a documentary is a start, but getting out there, finding a community that needs help, and getting involved is where we need to go with this challenge. 

With farmer markets open and so many farms-to-table choices, this goal is not difficult to achieve in July.  I changed it up a bit. I am making this challenge year-round and prepping for the months ahead. This has included harvesting, canning, and prepping to reduce store-bought packaged items in the winter months. My daughter has been the biggest help to plan ahead. 

I know in most of my reflections, I have mentioned that I have a natural disdain for plastic. This reflection makes me wonder if I am just cheap and lazy. So many reusable eco-friendly bag options are available online and in major stores, so why use plastic? I like my reusable mesh bags because I don't have to keep buying the plastic alternative, and I can just throw them in the hamper when I am done=cheap and lazy.  

This was not difficult. I do like that stores charge if you don't bring your bags. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I used a plastic bag....at least decades. Again, I am finding that plastic is a nuisance, and it is easier not to use plastic. Maybe once you have gone years avoiding plastic, you realize you have no use for it. It makes food taste funny, it takes up space, it doesn't keep it's integrity, etc. 

The only time this was ever a challenge was when my children were little. It's really hard to find travel containers without plastic. My solution was metal bento boxes. The kids thought they were cool, and so did their friends. I was told by a school teacher that my kids started a trend with the bento boxes, and it actually opened the door for plastic awareness at primary school. Fast forward, and now there are so many options. We all still like the bento boxes....because they are cool.  

Using reusable travel containers is more convenient than buying small little bottles. Even before 9/11, I used travel-size containers and kept them filled and ready to go. I use to travel a lot, so I found this convenient. Nowadays, there are so many plastic-free options to choose from, and they last longer than plastic options.  I also realized some of my travel containers are pre-9/11. I am clearly all about the reuse of the three r's. 

I have always used products in sustainable packaging. For this challenge, I even attempted to go through everything I have to find items. 90% of my make-up products are sustainably packaged, and my lifestyle of wearing make-up has changed dramatically with Covid. I discovered I am truly using nothing in plastic. The products themselves are all vegan.  This result was good to see.