bibiche Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Well done, Church of England. I wish more religious bodies demonstrated concern for the environment. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/world/europe/lent-plastic-church-of-england.html?module=WatchingPortal®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=6&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F02%2F15%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Flent-plastic-church-of-england.html&eventName=Watching-article-click 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 That is a fantastic idea. I never really observe Lent, but I'm tempted to try this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 nice, but wouldn't be possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 The Catholic church always has a water conservation suggestion during Lent. I guess they don't publicise it in the paper, though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 nice, but wouldn't be possible Did you see this link? And maybe not all f it would be possible for you, but certainly some of it would be. http://www.churchcare.co.uk/images/Plastic_Free_Lent.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Did you see this link? And maybe not all f it would be possible for you, but certainly some of it would be. http://www.churchcare.co.uk/images/Plastic_Free_Lent.pdf No not really. The only possible one that stood out to me was buying in bulk, but in many cases bulk just means multiple bottles of shampoo, for example. I do buy bulk toilet paper, but they still often wrap inside wrap (which is crazy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Yay! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I am not saying at all that it is a bad idea to reduce plastic waste. But thinking about it, it would be extremely difficult to give up plastics entirely. Just today I have used: my toothbrush, shampoo bottle, razor, (even toilet paper comes bundled in plastic), my toaster, refrigerator, my computer, and I am sure the list goes on and on like this for most of us. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I am not saying at all that it is a bad idea to reduce plastic waste. But thinking about it, it would be extremely difficult to give up plastics entirely. Just today I have used: my toothbrush, shampoo bottle, razor, (even toilet paper comes bundled in plastic), my toaster, refrigerator, my computer, and I am sure the list goes on and on like this for most of us. Yep I can't think of too many food items that I buy that aren't wrapped in plastic. Meat, produce, dairy....all plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Interestingly, I already do like half of these....it's interesting how doing something in a frugal manner also often has environmental benefits too lol. I have a genuine question about glass for food storage. For those that use glass for food storage...what do you use? I have bunches of ball mason jars that I use for canning from the garden. They work great for pantry stuff, but I am finding that they aren't all that practical for freezing or for leftovers/work lunches. They don't stack well in the freezer. And for lunches/leftovers, they seem to have an annoying habit of shattering (or maybe DH is just really rough on his lunch lol.) Also the shape of the jar and hits opening seem to make filling/eating out of them a bit of a pain. The same issues apply to things like repurposed pickle jars. So, if you use glass for those things, what do you use? Are there glass containers with the wide mouths, stack well, and are shatter proof? I mean I can't promise I will give up what I am using right now, but I am curious if there is a more functional glass container for those purposes. I use wide-mouth mason jars for storing leftovers for my husband's lunch in the fridge or freezer. I guess it's the pint size. It holds a serving of soup or stew comfortably. He hasn't broken any and hasn't complained about inconvenience, etc. For things that don't work well in those, I have some pyrex with the blue lids. I think using less plastic overall is great. I'm not sure this is really in the spirit of Lent though? Isn't the idea to deprive oneself of something that is difficult in a personal way to give up? For example, a friend of mine gives up bread; she loves bread and giving it up leads her to remember Christ's suffering as she "suffers" (in a minimal way) not being able to eat bread. I'm not arguing against it, just wondering. I don't practice Lenten fasting but I have in the past - when I was a kid, and it was always candy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 No not really. The only possible one that stood out to me was buying in bulk, but in many cases bulk just means multiple bottles of shampoo, for example. I do buy bulk toilet paper, but they still often wrap inside wrap (which is crazy). You could try solid shampoo. Way easier for travel too! Lush makes some really nice solid shampoo, and while the initial price might seem high, it lasts way longer than liquid soap. Occasionally I threaten my family with switching to "family cloth," but kind of doubt I ever will. We do manage to find bulk TP that isn't separately wrapped though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 (edited) Interestingly, I already do like half of these....it's interesting how doing something in a frugal manner also often has environmental benefits too lol. I have a genuine question about glass for food storage. For those that use glass for food storage...what do you use? I have bunches of ball mason jars that I use for canning from the garden. They work great for pantry stuff, but I am finding that they aren't all that practical for freezing or for leftovers/work lunches. They don't stack well in the freezer. And for lunches/leftovers, they seem to have an annoying habit of shattering (or maybe DH is just really rough on his lunch lol.) Also the shape of the jar and hits opening seem to make filling/eating out of them a bit of a pain. The same issues apply to things like repurposed pickle jars. So, if you use glass for those things, what do you use? Are there glass containers with the wide mouths, stack well, and are shatter proof? I mean I can't promise I will give up what I am using right now, but I am curious if there is a more functional glass container for those purposes. I don't freeze glass. I don't freeze much, actually. For lunches to go, we have tiffins. I also use them for storing leftovers. (I also use re-purposed glass for storing leftovers. I like it for storing nuts and beans and grains bought in bulk too). Edited February 16, 2018 by bibiche Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 We own Pyrex bowls with lids. I store leftovers in them and then remove the plastic lid to heat. But my reasoning for them is because I do not like plastic storage much. I transfer items to heat. Except some microwaveable steam bags/frozen meals and I have reservations about heating those as well. The Pyrex stack. Look into them. I have had some lids tear, though. I found that you can buy replacement lids. So happy after repairing mine with masking tape! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Interestingly, I already do like half of these....it's interesting how doing something in a frugal manner also often has environmental benefits too lol. I have a genuine question about glass for food storage. For those that use glass for food storage...what do you use? I have bunches of ball mason jars that I use for canning from the garden. They work great for pantry stuff, but I am finding that they aren't all that practical for freezing or for leftovers/work lunches. They don't stack well in the freezer. And for lunches/leftovers, they seem to have an annoying habit of shattering (or maybe DH is just really rough on his lunch lol.) Also the shape of the jar and hits opening seem to make filling/eating out of them a bit of a pain. The same issues apply to things like repurposed pickle jars. So, if you use glass for those things, what do you use? Are there glass containers with the wide mouths, stack well, and are shatter proof? I mean I can't promise I will give up what I am using right now, but I am curious if there is a more functional glass container for those purposes. Not glass but there are metal options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I found that you can buy replacement lids. So happy after repairing mine with masking tape! Thank you for this! I was just wishing such a thing existed. Sure enough, the Pyrex website lists all sorts of lids. Plus, if you sign up for e-mails from Pyrex they send you a 20% off coupon, which I'll definitely be using. Regarding the OP, if anyone is curious about where they could consider reducing plastic consumption, Beth Terry is a gem of a resource. https://myplasticfreelife.com/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Not a bad idea - I think it's important to try and reduce plastics. It's also incredibly difficult to do so completely - I think it would be tricky to make a rule, even for 40 days, of completely avoiding it. But some specific steps would be possible. That being said, I'm not convinced that this kind of thing is something so much for Lent. It's ok, but it's rather typical CoE IMO, and I can say this I think as a fellow Anglican, to miss part of the point of fasting. Anyway - if you are interested in religious groups on environmental issues, you might try On Earth As In Heaven, by Patriarch Bartholomew. It's very solid theology of the environment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I have a genuine question about glass for food storage. For those that use glass for food storage...what do you use? I have bunches of ball mason jars that I use for canning from the garden. They work great for pantry stuff, but I am finding that they aren't all that practical for freezing or for leftovers/work lunches. They don't stack well in the freezer. And for lunches/leftovers, they seem to have an annoying habit of shattering (or maybe DH is just really rough on his lunch lol.) Also the shape of the jar and hits opening seem to make filling/eating out of them a bit of a pain. The same issues apply to things like repurposed pickle jars. Dd has metal containers for lunch items. I'm not sure where they're from because someone gave them to her. They remind me of tiffin containers I've seen, now that a PP has used that term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 You could try solid shampoo. Way easier for travel too! Lush makes some really nice solid shampoo, and while the initial price might seem high, it lasts way longer than liquid soap. Occasionally I threaten my family with switching to "family cloth," but kind of doubt I ever will. We do manage to find bulk TP that isn't separately wrapped though. I need a dandruff shampoo. Do they make that? Not doing family cloth. LOL...NOPE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Looking at the pdf, I have the impression that this is to expose people to ideas to use less plastic. Many of the ideas are pretty simple, like using a reusable bag you take to the store, or not using plastic cutlery or trying to be aware of the amount of plastic packaging on your purchases. I'm honestly not sure why people are saying that NONE of the ideas are doable for them. I mean, yeah, I don't use plastic cutlery so giving it up isn't doable, but, OTOH I'm already doing the part where I'm not using it, so go me! Maybe you mean there aren't more things you can do than what you're already doing? In that case, great! Yay! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Looking at the pdf, I have the impression that this is to expose people to ideas to use less plastic. Many of the ideas are pretty simple, like using a reusable bag you take to the store, or not using plastic cutlery or trying to be aware of the amount of plastic packaging on your purchases. I'm honestly not sure why people are saying that NONE of the ideas are doable for them. I mean, yeah, I don't use plastic cutlery so giving it up isn't doable, but, OTOH I'm already doing the part where I'm not using it, so go me! Maybe you mean there aren't more things you can do than what you're already doing? In that case, great! Yay! I'm already doing what I can do. The title of the thread is give up plastic for Lent. It's impossible to give up plastic. I guess unless one stops eating or buying anything ever. It's good they are spreading awareness. Not saying it isn't. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 I freeze so much stuff. I have a big old chest freezer, which is why stackability is important. I don't have a canner, so when I can, I have to do it at mom's, which means I can't do a lot of it. So when I make like homemade chicken stock or a big pot of spaghetti sauce, or whatever, freezing it is my go to. I figure the reusable plastic containers I use for freezing are better than purchasing a lot of these food items in disposable plastic containers. I see a lot of this as a spectrum. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bibiche Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 I need a dandruff shampoo. Do they make that? Not doing family cloth. LOL...NOPE Apparently they do. https://www.lushusa.com/hair/shampoo-bars/soak-and-float/00101.html And yeah, I hear ya. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Looking at the pdf, I have the impression that this is to expose people to ideas to use less plastic. Many of the ideas are pretty simple, like using a reusable bag you take to the store, or not using plastic cutlery or trying to be aware of the amount of plastic packaging on your purchases. I'm honestly not sure why people are saying that NONE of the ideas are doable for them. I mean, yeah, I don't use plastic cutlery so giving it up isn't doable, but, OTOH I'm already doing the part where I'm not using it, so go me! Maybe you mean there aren't more things you can do than what you're already doing? In that case, great! Yay! I think there are a lot of basic things people can do, most of them are pretty easy. Like taking reusable bags. The idea of giving up plastic all round is what is tricky. A lot of products are almost impossible to find without plastic packaging of some kind. Even if you do what you can find, what's left seems substantial. Around here, we can now use reusable containers at the bulk barn. I haven't quite figured out how to best make use of them yet, but potentially I can buy a lot there that I now get in a shop with plastic packaging. So I'm hoping it will be a way I can cut down on a lot of plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Apparently they do. https://www.lushusa.com/hair/shampoo-bars/soak-and-float/00101.html And yeah, I hear ya. ;) Hm.. My head is not dry and itchy. I have dandruff and oily hair. So an oily shampoo bar would probably not work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thanks for the link. I printed out the calendar. I saw something in the news this week about all those plastic Mardi Gras beads. Then I found this article from last year about the dangerous chemicals, including lead, from the beads: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/toxic-truth-mardi-gras-beads-180962431/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Regarding the OP, if anyone is curious about where they could consider reducing plastic consumption, Beth Terry is a gem of a resource. https://myplasticfreelife.com/ Just reading her top 10 list of things to do was too much for me. I already do some things that she suggests, like the reusable shopping bags. But I've become too much of a germaphobe after seeing how some people (and their dogs) behave in the grocery store to do some of the rest. I'll have to stop eating if everything becomes serve-yourself out of a bin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thanks for the link. I printed out the calendar. I saw something in the news this week about all those plastic Mardi Gras beads. Then I found this article from last year about the dangerous chemicals, including lead, from the beads: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/toxic-truth-mardi-gras-beads-180962431/ Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Interestingly, I already do like half of these....it's interesting how doing something in a frugal manner also often has environmental benefits too lol. I have a genuine question about glass for food storage. For those that use glass for food storage...what do you use? I have bunches of ball mason jars that I use for canning from the garden. They work great for pantry stuff, but I am finding that they aren't all that practical for freezing or for leftovers/work lunches. They don't stack well in the freezer. And for lunches/leftovers, they seem to have an annoying habit of shattering (or maybe DH is just really rough on his lunch lol.) Also the shape of the jar and hits opening seem to make filling/eating out of them a bit of a pain. The same issues apply to things like repurposed pickle jars. So, if you use glass for those things, what do you use? Are there glass containers with the wide mouths, stack well, and are shatter proof? I mean I can't promise I will give up what I am using right now, but I am curious if there is a more functional glass container for those purposes. I use salsa jars because they have a mouth as wide as the jar as well as the kind of Mason jars that say "Freezer safe" on them. The freezer safe ones are the same size all the way to the mouth (which is what makes them freezer safe), rather than sides that curve in at the mouth like the regular canning jars. I generally freeze in the pint 1/2 size jars which fit nicely between our shelves without stacking, but I haven't had any problems with stacking the freezer-safe ones when I've done it either in the freezer or a cabinet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 (edited) I went to all glass for food storage about 3 years ago due to a specific health concern. The Snapware sets of glass storage containers work really well. I've only had one plastic tab on a lid get broken, and because that container had four tabs, it is still functional. I've dropped two in that time, so I have two "extra" lids. LOL! I do NOT microwave anything with the lids sealed on, as I suspect that would ruin them. I've been really pleased with how well they've held up, and I generally wash the glass in the DW, while hand-washing the lids. BTW, I got the sets of 9 containers at Costco for $23 and have seen them on sale at Amazon for close to the same, although right now, they're a lot cheaper at Costco. For dry storage, I use quart ball jars, and even ribbed Hoosier jars when I can find them. (Target had knock-off Hoosier jars at Christmas for 3 bucks each! I bought a dozen because they're so pretty with fairy lights in them.) Best of luck to anyone making the change to glass. I wish you well! ETA: I also scout Target for Pyrex odds and ends. They often have a Pyrex item or two half off at the Targets on our area. Edited February 19, 2018 by Halftime Hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I did this last year! And afterwards I started a Catholics for Zero Waste group on facebook! So if anyone is interested in trying to find ways to reduce the amount of trash they create and happen to be Catholic (we also have a couple of Orthodox folks too!) go on over the facebook! I confess I didn't read the article thoroughly. Do they mean single use disposable plastic? Because that's the biggest issue right now. There are some great resources for figuring out how to get around all the typical plastic stuff that we deal with in our daily lives without even thinking about it. You can check out you tube videos too. Beth Terry's Plastic Free is a fantastic resource. As is Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Home. We just had a speaker at our parish today talking about zero waste and the Catholic faith. It is inspired by Pope Francis' Laudato Si encyclical. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.