One of my biggest struggles with this project has been plastic. When we are trying not to produce garbage, we still end up with plastic-wrapping from CD's or tapes, straws, a small piece of plastic on the top of a bottle etc. At one point because of buying bulk in reused plastic bags, we ran out of plastic bags and had to ask friends for some of their collection. It was an awe inspriring moment actually. Despite our little victories and our great efforts, we can't seem to kick plastic out of our lives altogther. We still use tupperware and reused yogurt containers for storage and we still use bags (our collection is once again reproducing rapidly). But, something amazing has happened. A good friend rscued some material out of the garbage at work and brought it to me. He thought I could use it for painting on. It is bright green nylon type fabric, like rain pants are made of. It is cut in to long strips that would make perfect banners. There is a lot of it. I used some of it to winterize our wicker couch on the balcony and then a brain wave hit. I can make bags out of it to put our food in so we don't need plastic. I could put flour, sugar, nuts, beans etc. and wash and reuse them forever. Probably some of the material actually is a type of plastic, but still I am excited. I think I will make them as gifts for friends too. You could put a swim suit in it, or your lunch (so it doesn't leak all over your back pack), or what ever. Thank you Fissah for the refuse rescue!
If you need Christmas or solstice gift ideas here's some:
-pay me to make the non plastic baggies :)
-make hankies for friends (Kyle got a home made hanky as a gift from a work mate last night-it was an awesome gift!)
-buy toy veggies made from organic cotton www.walkingsticktoys.com (see picture)
-go to www.idealbite.com or www.thegreenloop.com for more ideas
- make cards from magazines, reused wrappings, fruit stickers etc. Believe it or not they are beautiful and well received.
-order from a local artist like Daryl www.Darylvocat.com
For vegan friends, he has an awesome "vegans taste better" t-shirt with cute underpants on it.