REI Roseville

I still don’t fully understand the distinction between biodegradable and compostable. I think I’ll avoid using as much plastic as possible, including compostable, and definitely won’t use bio-based - that doesn’t seem like much of an improvement. It just seems unnecessary and requires another step to not go to to the landfill, when using...

Today’s plastic-free email was about pets, and mentioned non-plastic options for bowls. I got our cats’ bowls at the local Asian market. They have a whole dinnerware aisle, and some of it is really fun - I found little bowls with anime cats painted in them; they’re perfect and only cost a dollar or two.

I’ve been making virtual appointments whenever I can, rather than driving, which has saved a lot of miles.

We switched from laundry sheets to refillable laundry detergent that comes in aluminum bottles. I learned that laundry sheets have plastic (polyvinyl alcohol, which doesn’t completely dissolve) in them.

I started using vitamins that come in a glass jar, and I can order refills that come in a pouch, instead of using endless plastic bottles. Of course, I don’t know what the pouch is made of, or how much more carbon it takes to transport glass jars, so it’s hard to know what the net environmental cost is.

I haven’t done this yet because I’m terrified to learn how much plastic I still use, even though we try really hard to avoid it. It’s everywhere!

Our bunnies cannot wait for us to get the garden going! We have a really nice fenced in garden, but we may try building some raised beds this year. Just not sure how to fill them with soil, since we live up on a hill and couldn’t have it delivered to where we’d need it. We may start seeds indoors this year if we can put a door on the laundry...

We use use our neighborhood Buy Nothing page a lot to give away things we no longer need or use or that fit, and to get used things from neighbors. It does more than save everyone money; it keeps things out of the landfill or recycling (if they even would end up being recycled), gives products a longer life, and since it’s in the neighborhood,...

We have multiple laundry lines strung up in our basement and one in the laundry room down there. Since the house is so dry, things dry quickly.

Trying to keep on top of it, but sometimes recording daily actions is a challenge.