Olivia Russell

I finish the challenge strong. I remembered to ask for paper bags (not much better) because, unfortunately, I ran out of reusable bags at the store today. I am confident this challenge helped me in my struggle to remember how awful plastic is for our Earth, and therefore for us. This activity taught me to no longer suffer from an A-B Split (at least as far as plastic is concerned, I have a long way to go in my quest for becoming a completely Earth conscious being). 
We have to be the change we want in this experience. I keep seeing this expression, and I believe we need to heed these words and not allow them to be just another catch phrase. 

It is becoming easier and easier to remember to bring my bags.However, it is somewhat difficult to avoid plastic. This challenge has made me realize how plastic is everywhere in our world. This cannot be a good thing. 

I didn't contribute any plastic products to landfills today :) I didn't contribute to air pollution by way of plastic manufacturing, through refraining from the use of plastic products. Furthermore, I did not drive my vehicle, nor did I purchase anything at all. I simply did school work (well, the math wasn't so simple) and played with and cared for my son. Enjoyed the simple life. 

I did well today. Went to the store, did not use plastic bags. Did not purchase any plastic bottles. I am taking it a step further and attempting to only purchases necessities, not items that will be disposed of 6 months down the road, like many Americans do. I am happy with my 2003 minivan, I am happy with the clothes I have, I am happy with the simple life I lead. In fact, it could be more simple. Actually, I would love to be out with nature more.

Other than my journey to the post office, today was yet another quiet day for me. I was successful with all my tasks.

I have to mention, it feels good to know I am not contributing to the market for the water privatization industry. I do find it difficult to trust what comes out of the tap, with the recent lead problem in the Portland public school system how can we possibly trust regulatory agencies to be doing their jobs? If they fail children, those most vulnerable to these elements, what makes one think they won't fail us all? I am not in Portland anymore, but I am newcomer to a smaller Oregon town and I do not know the water quality is like here.

That being said, most bottled water is a product of mega corporations. Historically speaking, these entities are not the most trustworthy when it comes to matters of public health. Personally, when I buy gallons of water, I avoid anything with the words  Nestle, Coca-Cola, or Pepsi on it. Now, I am also thinking twice about the safety of routinely drinking out of plastic containers. 

I did perfect today! I just about used a plastic bag at the store but when I got to the bottom of my cart I saw my reusable bag staring back at me and I moved everything out of the plastic bag and into the reusable one. I even wrote "ECOCHALLENGE" on my hand and I still almost forgot...I am a space case sometimes! The rest of my tasks I did

with ease-no plastic water bottles and no disposable cups, plates or cutlery! Go me! Yay!

I did rather well today. It really has been hard to remember my tasks, and I do not like to give excuses (because there really is none) but things have been so incredibly hectic for me lately that most wouldn't believe my situation. If it wasn't for the hurdles I am going through these tasks would otherwise seem simple. 
In any event since I did do good I will elaborate on my day (which was a much needed mellow one), I started off on a good foot at the coffee house. I wasn't in much of a rush and since I did stick around for awhile it was easy to be sure all my dishes, cups and utensils were non-disposable. 
I did not do any shopping, so steering clear of plastic bags was not a problem. I reused that old glass water bottle (from earlier in the week) when I was out and about. My family and I went out to the pumpkin patch. Good simple, local and natural fun! It was great :)

I did very good today, not so much yesterday. Yesterday I was travelling, so with all the hubbub my tasks completely slipped my mind. I feel awful. Today, however, I did remember to bring my reusable bags to the store :) I am at a hotel and I didn't use a disposable cup or cutlery for the free breakfast, even though it was early I still remembered! Yay for me! I also have a gallon of water so I have been refilling my bottle with that. Tomorrow I will be travelling again but I am going to write a reminder on my hand...LOL! Whatever it takes, right?

At the risk of sounding very boring, I did not go out much today, so therefore my challenge was easy. I am going on a mini-trip for the next few days so now I will have to work at remembering my actions!

So, I totally messed up today, I will be honest. I used my 2 reusable bags at the grocery store but when I went to the office supply store afterward I didn't have any more reusable bags so, without choice, I opted for a disposable bag. 
I tried to make up for it later by purchasing a glass bottle of water, rather than plastic.  However, I think the whole idea is to produce less waste and the glass will eventually become recyclable waste. I did well not using disposable cups, cutlery or plates. Here's to better work tomorrow!