♻️30 Days Cutting Single-Use Plastic!!!♻️ Challenges, successes, and MANY surprises!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Hey everyone!!
♻️🌎🌳🪿🫙🍴🐝🌞
Those who have been watching for a while knew this was coming!! A nice, VERY long vlog documenting my entire 30 day journey trying to cut single-use plastics!!
I learned a lot from this challenge and I'm so glad I did it! Overall I made a lot of great changes, and will carry many of them with me for the rest of my life!! Please let me know if y'all have tips or successes or failures you'd like to share from your own plastic journeys!!! This is a space for sharing and learning!
🇬🇧England- y'all are doing it RIGHT!!!
🇺🇸America- we have too much plastic EVERYWHERE!
For those who want to try #PlasticFreeJuly here are some resources!
🥛Oat Milk Recipe: www.loveandlem...
🧋Oat Creamer Recipe (I used 1tbspn coconut oil instead of 2, and lots more syrup and brown sugar to make it sweeter😘): jessicaintheki...
🥔Potato Chips: www.servedfrom...
And here are products to buy to prepare! (Using Amazon because it's accessible but you can find stuff like this on plenty of other sites!!)
🥦Reusable bulk bags: www.amazon.com...
🪥Toothpaste tablets: www.amazon.com...
🦷Straw Dental Flossers: www.amazon.com...
🧺Laundry Detergent Sheets: www.amazon.com...
🍴Reusable Cutlery Sets: www.amazon.com...
And if you don't have a Lush near you, you can order online: www.lush.com/u...
🎶Mark Swiderki's Solo Project: Secret Admirer🎶
/ secretadmirermusic
/ secret-admirer
open.spotify.c...
Ok that's all!! Love you! Thanks for coming on this journey with me!!
#NoPlastic #ReduceWaste #SingleUsePlastics #NoPlasticChallenge #30DayChallenge #ClimateChange #Vlog #PlanetEarth #SaveThePlanet
About mindset and plastic panic:
Something that’s comforting to my plastic panic is that “eco friendly” single use alternatives are too often more harmful than single use plastic. Whether that’s bamboo packaging that has been shipped across the ocean on an oil-fueled freighter, or paper packaging that looks like it’s paper, but it has a secret plastic coating. I’ve seen a few sustainability experts have experiences where they stressed over cutting out plastics for years, only to realize the pressure they put themselves under made their consumption larger than if they’d been using plastics. Ultimately, everyone seems to conclude that sustainability is more of a way of functioning than a long list of limits put on oneself. Changing the mindset from “Oh no, I have to avoid as much plastic as possible!” to “I don’t need to rely on all the plastics I’ve been relying on” is a nice reframe that took my mind out of panic and into progress and positivity. Instead of thinking “I /need/ to do this!” I’ve reframed to “I don’t /need/ to be doing this”. An example could be switching from “I can’t buy produce packaged in plastics!” to “I had success in my garden last year. If I grow more produce in my garden, I won’t need to buy plastic packaged ones at the store”. (This is an especially helpful tool for people with Persistent Drive for Autonomy.)
Doing it for myself has also helped me stay more diligent. Even though I really care about the planet, seeing cutting out plastic as self care added more incentive for me. Rather than “I’m cutting out PFAS soap stored in plastic bottles because I want to be the best Earth steward”, I reframed to “I’m cutting out PFAS soap stored in plastic bottles because my body deserves the healthier (plastic free) option”. It helps to center myself in my sustainable life because I can see the personal impacts of my sustainable choices in my health and home, but it’s harder to see the personal impacts of one’s sustainable choices in a massive environment. It’s much more rewarding, and each reward registered in my brain distills potential panic.
I wish I could expand more, but this comment is already way too long!
Oh I love this comment!! I've read it 3 times!! Yeah this is especially helpful for someone like me. I can really get worked up, and even though gamifying things can be helpful for me, I can really get down on myself if I "fail". I actually cut out a giant section in this video where I went off on a tangent about weighing the pros and cons of sustainable products and also having to drive around to find plastic-free options, etc... but I cut it out cuz my vid was too long and I wasn't sure if folks would have fun seeing me spiral. LOL!! But yeah this is all good stuff to keep in mind!! Having a healthy pattern for YOU vs focusing too much on "I MUST CUT X" makes a lot of sense!
I think you should be really proud of that result!! Bravo! As someone who’s been on this journey for a while, the PANIC when you first start noticing how unavoidable plastic is… that’s so real. All we can do is our best. I know you guys were joking around with the “sinner” and “shame bag” language, BUT that’s an easy trap to fall into - to feel like you’re morally wrong if you need to buy vitamins in a plastic bottle or you just want some damn fresh berries every once in a while. For sustainable change, though, I don’t think we should carry so much weight on our individual shoulders.
Yes absolutely- you're right in that we are making silly jokes about shame in this vid, but there's a def a kernel of truth in the way I feel about my "failures" that wasn't always healthy! And yeah I really missed berries... I'm a berry gal!! Thank goodness it's farmer's market season now!
As you were recounting the surprise plastic along the vlog, I imagined such a bigger bag at the end. It was so tiny! Good freaking job! Also, I’d like to acknowledge your effort in making constantly fabulous, and recently very long videos! I appreciate your work so much! Thanks for doing this!
Thank you!!! Yeah this was my longest vid yet and it took SO MUCH CUTTING to get it this short hahahaha!! I'm gonna be making shorter vids for the next few weeks to give myself a BREAK!
I like to use the little cups with lids that sauces come in to hold hardware from trashed furniture that I redo. They're so much nicer than a plastic sandwich bag and also helps me to keep the nails and screws from the garage floor and out of my tires, lol.
oh this is SO smart!! and I’d assume they store so much better because they stack!
@@essraes they do! They would also be really good for small crafting supplies and such.
My family does this too 😆
Ohhh this is so smart!! I haven't thrown away anything from my bag yet so I will def be repurposing!!
So cool! I love the positive communication skills--I've noticed in past vids that you always seem to talk about your goals in a way that does not shame other people. It's so refreshing, and it makes me happy I'm a fan/viewer! Good Brian content too 😁 Congrats on your May!
Yay thank you!!!! Trying to practice what I preach!! But I slip up every once in a while... it's hard!
you are such an inspiration meredith! not just in how eco-conscious you are but in how thoughtful you are in all areas of life! speaking as someone who is in college right now, your cozy homey content is highly aspirational for my postgrad life! thanks so much for all you do!
Yay!! Thank you!!! That's so sweet!!
The challenge went so well!! Glad England didn't let us down 😊 Your vids are such a ray of sunshine. You and Brian had me laughing 😄🩵
Hehe England DELIVERED for this challenge!!
Trader Joe’s has a great shampoo bar that’s a lot more affordable and it comes in a little cardboard sleeve! I’d definitely recommend that once you’re done with the lush one. Also I really like the everspring laundry sheets from target!
Yessss I avoided TJ's for the month cuz their produce is all plastic wrapped, but I love their soap bars and will def just go there for the lavender soap bar once my expensive stuff from Lush runs out!
This is why Meredith is so respectable. Most content creators would cut out all of the stuff that went wrong, but Meredith kept in all the plastic she used and explained it. ❤️❤️❤️
LOL I wasn't gonna hide the TRUTH!! It was hard and the world must know!
I LOVE Lush! I also think it‘s expensive, however, I want to point out that the products last very long (in my case I was fine with one pot of cream for 7 months!), so for me it’s only expensive in the moment but not in the long rung. + it smells amazing!!!!
Yesssss I love all their products and will always go to them for my curling cream!
I am exactly the person you are talking to in the beginning of this video! It’s June 6th, and I’m using this as the start of my research for my first “No Single Use Plastics” July!
Omg yay!!! So great to know there's at least one of you!!! Best of luck- Not sure where you live, but here in the midwest, reducing plastic in July would be SO MUCH EASIER cuz of famers markets and gardening!!
@@MerediddyS I'm in the south suburbs of Chicago, and I didn't even THINK of that!!! That's a great point!!! Also your lush/Whole foods comparison for beauty products was very helpful. Also all our herbs and veggies will be really blooming so that will be a small help as well!
Plastic has become such a daily part of our lives that I honestly can’t even imagine what life could have looked like before plastic, it’s crazy :(
I knowwww but it's only really been heavily used since the 70's! Isn't that wild?? It feels like it's been around for centuries
Here in germany, there are no more plastic straws in restaurants. Often they use glas straws, that you can wash afterwards and use them again or (my favourite) Pasta straws ( like big rigatoni) so you can eat them and chew on them while Drinking. I love that 😅
OMG A BIG RIGATONI??? That is so fun!!! Yeah it would be such an easy change for us to make here- I don't know why we haven't!
The amount of plastic you accumulated throughout May is so small, bravo! You really did greay. It's amazing seeing you show us the steps you take and encourage people to at least be more aware of the changes they can make.
As always, the vlog was just a pleasure to watch, with some fun facts and all the bits Brian did. Hope you all have a nice June with lots of books, sun and fun!
Thank you so much!!! It was really hard but I'm glad I tried!!
I'm usually more of a silent viewer but I had to leave a comment on this since this video inspired me immensely! Thank you, Meredith, for sharing this journey with us, with all its ups and downs.
I have been trying to reduce single use plastic in my life for a few years now and watching this video I definitely realised how much easier it is here in Germany as opposed to the US... My bathroom has been almost completely plastic free for about two years now and I definitely try and be mindful of it in other areas of my life, but it often is the first thing to go when life gets stressful... But watching your video has definitely inspired me to try cutting out single use plastic in july. I won't be able to cut it out completely due to necessary meds and other chronic illness related stuff, but I'll try and be more mindful of it again and cut it out as much as possible, without it having a toll on my physical and mental health.
This has been a mess of a comment due to brain fog, so I'm sorry for that, but I wanted to share my thoughts after watching this lovely video.
It wasn't a mess of a comment!! Thank you for sharing! Let me know how July goes for you!!
Such a good video and I was shocked at how little you actually accumulated in a month, great job! I think this also shows that there needs to be a big change in governments and companies to actually work against single-use plastic. We can't solve this as individuals but, as you showed we sure can try our best! 🌈🌳✨
Yay!! Yes!! Jets can def ditch the pizza table!! Small changes add up fast!
This video seems has such a lovely vibe to it! I love how you recognised the difficulties in going plastic free, while also offering tips from your own experience in a non-judgemental way. This has really inspired me to try and start reducing plastics in my own life, i'll have to try no-plastics July!
Yay!! Let me know if I you end up doing it!!! Best of luck!
This was such an interesting watch! It’s wild how much plastic is a part of our everyday lives. You should be proud, this was such a great commitment! Also starting to become convinced you have the funniest husband alive, even if he orders meal delivery full of plastic 😭
Hahahah I agree about funniest husband alive! I'm lucky!!
I love your approach to this challenge! Not putting too much pressure on being perfect, and looking for some solutions that can become more long-term :)
Yay!! Yeah it was really helpful for me!!
That is so cool! You did such a good job, it seems pretty diificult to have a plastic free month to me! And a big applause to Brian for his lip syncing skills👏👏👏
Hehehe he really made me giggle when he did that!
I never realised how much single use plastic that was used! I think living in England where they have banned single-use plastic has spoiled me, I can't believe how much was used on your groceries, even the individual fruits and veggies! Your 30 days was incredible, and you should definitely be proud of yourself! It's all about positive little changes and doing what you can.
Also, thanks for showing what you use in your curls - they're so lovely! Will have to make a trip to lush as I need to sort my own out!
Yay! Thank you for watching! Jealous that you live in a place that banned silly plastics!
My mom uses those pizza things for crafts. To hold things up when she paints things. That way she gets some use out of them
OH so smart!! I still have my bag o stuff so I'll save it and use it!
Congratulations on making it 30 days Meredith!!!
Thank you!!
Thank god at least one channel i watch on youtube is a good influence
LOL!! Are you mostly watching pranksters?
You did amazing! It's impressive to end up with so little plastic at the end of the month. I'm in England and even though a lot of single use plastic things have been made illegal you still get them on fruit and veg and bread same as in the states. It's definitely improving though! So much is about being as eco friendly as you can afford to be, even if that's only being able to make 1 or 2 changes that's still a lot!
Yesss small changes still help! Thank you so much for watching!
woooowww you did so well! i really hope more places ban single-use plastics
Me too!!! Seems like such a simple way to make huge change!
Very interesting video! I feel like this is a topic where the saying "perfect is the enemy of good" is very well suited. One doesn't have to cut ALL the single use plastic out of their life, just making small little changes in one's everyday life will be a huge help! Same with vegetarian/vegan food and other "lifestyle choices" :)
One thing that makes me a bit less stressed about using single use plastic in my life is, that in Finland plastic is collected separately from mixed waste and recycled. Same is done with cardboard, paper, metals, glass, and soda/beer/etc cans and bottles have a whole separate recycling program where you get actual money back when recycling them!. Although I do admit that in my plastic use I could be paying a bit more attention to the first R: reducing.
Yessss definitely moving forward I won't be so harsh on myself and won't be as much of a perfectionist! Reducing is still helping!
This is really amazing!! 🎉
Thank you for watching!
Thank you so much for this video! I never really thought about my contacts but I've paused the video to look up where to recycle them in my city now. It's a small thing but a consistent plastic in my life. I'm excited to look into other ways to reduce my plastic in everyday uses. This was a very inspiring video! ❤🌎
Oh yay!! Did you have a recycling center? I'm so glad I looked cuz there's one right down the street from me! So wild!
@@MerediddyS i'm still researching for where in my city to go but there is a program for it in canada which great!!!
this was so lovely to watch!!! you have definitely inspired me to try and reduce my one use plastic usage and I think you did so well to cut out as much plastic as you did when literally everything in the world somehow contains plastic!! would be very cool to see a follow up of this in a few months to see if you made any permanent changes since doing this challenge!!
Yay! Thank you for watching!!! I'm definitely still carrying some of the changes with me, and am still tracking days when I use no plastic... but I also definitely immediately went and bought berries and salmon and stuff as soon as the challenge was over haha! I missed them!
this vlog coming out is BEST bday gift I could've gotten
Heheh wow!! Thank you!!
I switched to bar soap and have a subscription to sun basin soaps from John and Hank green’s charity the good store! It comes in cardboard boxes and a paper mailer (I think). The shipping is probably not great for the earth but I love that the money goes to partners in health and like to use it as gifts! Also this was a super cool challenge thanks for documenting this Meredith!
Awww yay! That's awesome. The Green brothers are so great! Thank you for watching!
I love this!! It’s crazy how much plastic has snuck into our lives. My family reuses almost everything, we barely have any real Tupperware 😂 we just use leftover to go and sour cream containers
Yesssss us too!!! Love that!
Thank you for sharing this! As someone that is very interested in sustainable living it is so important to realize what you as an individual can do to reduce single use plastic ❤
Yay!! It was fun! Hard, but fun!!
This is so amazing! I have so much anxiety just in daily life about plastic usage, but the way you frame things is really helpful. Going to start planning for July ❤ Your results were so impressive!
Oh yay!! Best of luck this July!!! I think it's an easier month to do this challenge in for sure! (At least in the Northern Hemisphere it is!)
hey Meredith,
OMG congrats you did so well!
My family (We are from the UK) are huge on no plastic. We all ended up vegetarian as a result. Some things I learnt about; we started using "Who Gives a Cr*p" toilet paper, the paper wrapping is so cute so we use it as wrapping paper. Bamboo toothbrushes and Q tips (I think that's what you call them) are great and no different. However, when I moved out to be a student, I couldn't afford to keep up the non plastic life style. I just want to say your anxiety is valid but there are so many things the world needs to change in order for us to live a plastic free life and you did so much better than others and it makes a great impact.
Omg your family sounds amazing!!!! OK I'm gonna check out that TP! I got bamboo toothbrushes and cardboard Qtips but they're not all easy to find! I wish they were in more stores!
Woah, you did SO good! We definitely take out our recycling maybe every week and a half and it has way more than what you accumulated in 30 days. Totally inspired to do no plastic July! In Germany, we’re thinking it’s maybe easier than in the USA…? Will report back!
Yay!! Best of luck!!! I feel like you're definitely right- it should be easier in Germany!! And def easier in July too cuz gardens and famers markets, etc!!
This is so inspiring Meredith! Congrats on your challenge :). When I moved from the UK to Canada I noticed that there's more plastic here.. it does make it harder to avoid. Thanks for showing us some tips - going to check out wholefoods for sure. Also Brian is really making me want to bake my own bread, it looks so good! We have a lovely chain bakery here called 'Cobs' which does both plastic and paper - definitely going to make sure to ask for paper! x
Oh amazing!!! Yeah UK was so much easier!! And I love Brian's bread, and I think he has a lot of fun doing it! (when it goes well) hehe!
such an awesome video I love your content so much :))))
Yay!! Thank you for watching!
Omg I loooove Love and Lemons. I recommend that recipe website literally everyone. So good!
Her cookbook is my favorite!!!
In reducing waste, I found a couple of things helped me. One is to "build in" failure: I allow myself six to-go coffee cups in a year, so that I don't feel like I'm totally failing every time one finds its way into my hand. (Someone else might choose a different number.) The second thing is a mindset shift: to regard every piece of "waste" as a resource. For example: how could this plastic sleeve inside a cereal box be reused? Could I wrap my homemade butter in it? Could I use it as a washable sandwich wrap? could I cut it into strips and crochet it into a pot scrubber? It changes how I feel about the pile of "waste". I don't have the energy to save and repurpose everything, but I can get creative with some things and save others for my neighbours who have energy for other projects.
ok but wait... you make homemade butter????? Do you need a butter churn?? Am I dumb?
@@MerediddyS life is really too short to churn butter *and also* IF you want to do it, it is easy peasy with a hand mixer. Might be a fun thing to do alongside your lovely wife's sourdough habit.
This was such a fun and inspiring video! I'm definitely going to try to make some lifestyle changes, which I've been meaning to do for a while but it seems so time consuming and expensive, it feels daunting. At this point I don't think I'm prepared to stop buying certain products, but I can definitely cut down and in the meantime I'm going to try to notice everything and research ways that I can go plastic free. One thing I've been thinking about doing is making my own food like you did with the oatmilk, specifically things like yogurt and cream cheese. Chances are it's cheaper that way anyway. I also eat a lot of hummus so I would love to try making my own. Is there a specific recipe that you used for your hummus?
It would be so interesting if you shared an update after some time goes by, about any habits that stick and any other adjustments that you make that don't completely cut out plastic, but are better than the way you were doing them before.
Yes making our own foods was the most fun part of the challenge!! I used the "Love and Lemons" hummus recipe!
Your Hummus looks amazing! I'm so happy for you that it went so well! :D Also, you are a huge inspiration! In other areas of my life, I'm really eco-friendly (food, transportation, clothes) but I somehow FORGOT(?!) about the everyday plastic - thank you for the awareness and showing how it could be done
You did so freakin' well btw!!!! That is so impressive!!!
Yeah it will definitely be easier for you!! Thank you so much for watching!
I've been using bar soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners for almost a year and it's great! Can't recommend the brand because I live in Brazil and the brands I'm using only sell nationality, but I love them. The biggest struggle for me when it comes to products I use a lot has been to find sunscreen that doesn't come in a plastic packaging.
I thought about that a lot!! Luckily we had a big enough stash of sunscreen that we didn't have to buy any in May, but omg... does it even exist?
Weird that I recognize that mall. I used to work there in the late 90's.
You did so well considering how much plastic is used in the US. I'm from Germany and when I first visited the US I was truly shocked at how much plastic there is. Just like the UK, Germany also banned single-use plastic back in 2021 and besides my hatred for paper straws (I usually bring my silicone straws everywhere anyway) there's truly nothing we are missing out on.
For soap bars, I recommend looking into brands that maybe sell them in paper packaging. That's how they do it here. I am not sure how it is on your side of the Atlantic tho.
Definitely be super proud of yourself!
Yay!! Thank you so much!!! Yeah I know there are def places that wrap their soap in paper- just not at my local Walgreens which feels so sillyyyy!!! And yeah I wish we could just make those simple changes that Germany and UK have made!! It would help so much!
My boyfriend uses those earth breeze eco sheets! They’re really great for travel but I, personally, feel don’t get my clothes as clean as I’m used to but they’re a great non plastic alternative!
Oooo ok I'll pay attention to how clean our clothes are!! I know there is a stain on one of Brain's short legs that hasn't come out yet.. maybe it's cuz Eco Sheets aren't strong enough for coal stains!
Hi Meredith! Just wanted to share with you a possible alternative to your curl cream (everyone's hair is different though of course). Or it might not be a good replacement for the cream but perhaps nice to use in tandem with it so you're using less?
Anyways, I make my own hair gel out of flax seeds! I put it on while my hair is still wet then scrunch with a towel, it's moisturuzing and gives my hair a light hold
You can find lots of recipes online, some people add things like epsom salts or different oils depending on what their hair styling needs/hair types are. It can take some trial and error if you decide to try different recipes, but I truly love my flax seed hair gel! Its eco friendly, cheap and doesn't give me an allergic reaction like a lot of cosmetics do, lol. Hope this helps you or anyone else looking for hair styling alternatives!
Oooo that's so fun!!! I've never made my own hair products!! Thank you!
@@MerediddyS it is fun!! I've never made slime before but I feel like it's like that, lol.
No problem, happy to help! ❤️
i also get that deli anxiety! i'm stressed the servers want you to be like the regulars and know everything straight away and exact quantities perfectly 😅
this was such an interesting look at plastic use, thanks Meredith! My state in australia has had single use plastics banned for a while so we don't really have any of those worries for ordering takeout here everything is always in paper, except those sauce containers i don't know if there's a popular alternative for those 😆 i just don't get the sauce or get the sauce on the meal if possible
THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DELI ANXIETY FEEL SEEN!!!
Video was amazin as always, I noticed you reading Anne of Green Gables!! That series is one of my comfort series and the audio books I listen to the most, especially now as I go to sleep because of how much I've listened to them!!! What did you think of it?
I loved it so much!!! I actually talked about it in the video before this one- I'm so glad I finally read it!
@@MerediddyS OOOO NICE!!! I'll be sure to check it out!!
I think something else to remember when trying to be more conscious of what we consume is that the average human is not responsible for the horrific waste we see. Just 20 (TWENTY!!) companies are responsible for producing almost 1/2 of all single use waste. So don't beat yourself up for having to use a few plastic straws!
Awesome video! Here’s some eco friendly RUclipsrs I like to watch for tips/inspiration: “Shelbizleee” & “gittemary Johansen”
Also here’s extra tips I’ve found useful:
•Similar to the program for recycling contacts- if you google “Terracycle drop off boxes near me” to collect other typically non-recyclable things
•Plastic grocery store bags are made out of the same kind of plastic as ziplocks, bread bags, the plastic wrap on tissue boxes/cases of toilet paper & paper towels, and Amazon bags(if you cut off the stickers). Most grocery stores have a drop off box for them & will take all of those as long as they’re clean.
•laundry- I use earth breeze as well & like it a lot. I also recommend vinegar as a substitute for fabric softener.
•Be aware of coated paper like the oat/almond milk cartons- some recycling facilities take them & others don’t.
•nothing to do specifically with the video, but I didn’t know this for a long time- receipt paper isn’t recyclable
•apps like “flash foods” & “too good to go” are ways to get local discounted/sometimes free food that would’ve gone to waste
•the closer to local your fruits, veggies, products, etc came from the less of an impact they’ll have *even if they come in plastic*
•try not to stress too much about plastic. A lot of times it ends up being unavoidable & you can only do so much as 1 person 💛
Sorry this was super long!
OMG these are GREAT tips!!! I love this! Thank you!!
In the UK we have better plastic recycling so shampoo bottles and yogurt pots can go in home recycling bins or local recycling points, I try and visit are local zero waste store to buy most household cleaning, personal cleaning stuff and get local wonky veg box im not perfect but we are trying
Yes!! You're doing a great job!!
I used to wrap all my vegetables in a little plastic bag when I bought them until I went grocery shopping with my best friend. I asked her if she needed a bag for her bananas and she was like: why? they come with their own protective layer.
Really blew my mind
Lol I had that same experience like 4 years ago with Alyssa!! I was like oh right.. I don't need to wrap an avocado...
How do you get prettier every video??
🥰🥰