The Ziplock Challenge

Ziplock bags are such a useful invention. They keep food dry and air out so our food stays good longer. They are good for keeping something clean that needs to stay (nearly) germ-free. They are wonderful organizers, helping to keep small things in useful categories and not spread all over the house. For families with children under 3, they are great for popping choking hazards into so you don't have to throw away all your daughter's Barbie shoes. Even if the baby did gete a hold of the bag, the challenge of the zip gives you enough time to confiscate the item before there is any real danger. For air travel, ziplocks are a lifesaver when your shampoo and lotion explode inside your luggage.

But the use of ziplock bags in our world is growing, and it seems to be getting a bit excessive. For awhile, they were a regular item on my grocery list, and I began to wonder where all that plastic was going. In the trash, of course. I started to think that maybe there were some ways to diminish my use of the bags, without making this useful tool the enemy. Much like my thoughts on disposable diapers. Use them for when nothing else makes sense, but don't use them when you don't have to.

I think it's been about a month now since I stopped buying ziplocks at my normal grocery run. I've had to be creative on how to get some basic chores done.

Packing lunches without ziplocks. I've identified several very small reusable plastic containers in my house that my grade schooler can open unassisted. This seems to be working out great.

Storing food. Again, tupperware is the solution I've used mostly. Not keeping food I know I won't eat just to make myself feel better has also helped.

I still reserve the right to use the ziplock. My working guidelines are for 1. sanitatary reasons, 2. emergencies (a soiled set of clothes on the go), 3. packing for trips, 4. for teachers and educational purposes, and 5. the classic pet goldfish in a bag.

These are, of course, working guidelines, and I am encouraged that I have been able to diminish my consumption quite significantly.

Diaper Dilemma

I have a friend that I admire for making the decision to use cloth diapers for her three kids. I don't know how she has done it. It seems like so much extra work. I haven't been so kind to the environment. For most of my kids' diaper time, I didn't even dump the poop in the toilet because, to be honest, it really wasn't dumpable. Now, my last child is in the final stretch before potty training, and I'm wondering, "How do I reduce my stinky affect on the environment without driving myself crazy or trying to potty train a child who isn't ready?" I can't undo the last 7 years of diapers on the curb, but there has to be something I can do. Dumping the contents in the toilet (when possible) is a start. I also have a pile of washable plastic pants that I could use when I'm home, and still use the disposables while I'm out of the house. Any other thoughts from moms out there?

Delayed Consumption

Look what I found! I went out to the garage and AMAZING, the artificial tree I talked about before was not in the landfill after all, but sitting neatly packed in its box on a shelf. We put it up, vacuumed, and as you can see, it looks just beautiful. We gave it a pine scented spray, and now we almost believe it's real. One more year of delayed consumption equals one more tree left on the mountainside to grow and one more artificial tree that doesn't need to come off the assembly line.

Oh, and by the way, the lights from last year did work, so I can put off figuring out a green lighting solution until next year. Let's hear it for delayed consumption! Who would have figured there was an upside to indecision?