New Year Resolutions

Selena Randall

Do you make new year resolutions?

I don't really, but I do try to pick up a project that will in some way lead to self improvement or change habits. This year I am thinking about ways to reduce the amount of waste I produce.

I'm a keen recycler, and I take things to the thrift store, but I think I could do more to reduce the amount of waste I produce in the first place.

I do some of the basics - I carry a reusable coffee mug, and water bottle. I take my own grocery bags to the store. But so much of what we purchase comes with packaging, or arrives at the store wrapped in plastic - this is mostly outside of my control.

What is in my control is my choices. 

We grow as much food as we can in our garden, but still need fresh vegetables and fruit. I buy from the bulk bins, and decline the bags for most things. I've been looking at cotton mesh bags for the things that need to be contained since you can see the product code through the mesh. They would wash easily, and should be durable. I buy eggs in cardboard, and we purchase local milk in returnable glass bottles.

I'm also a Bulk Barn fan. They have recently introduced a reusable container scheme - bags and jars are available for purchase or you can take your own clean container. You simply weigh it before you purchase. I like their unpackaged soaps too. Bulk purchases are tax free too, which Is a bonus.

For other things, I am selective. I prefer items in a cardboard box that I know I can recycle rather than something wrapped in plastic. Wherever possible, I reuse plastic bags. They wash in warm water easily and hang to dry.

I'd like to stop using Saran wrap on food. This is a challenge because things like cheese keep best if you can keep the air off the surface, and it's so easy to tear off what you need and wrap the food up. I've read about waxed cotton wraps, and I'm planning to investigate making my own, using beeswax. They are simply washed after use in cold water with a mild detergent.

I have sourced the materials for this project, unbleached organic cotton, beeswax, pine rosin, jojoba oil. There are oven methods for waxing, and methods that use an iron, and the internet is full of blogs and descriptions, as well as videos to show you how. My trusty sewing machine will aid me running up a few snack bags as well as wraps.

I will get to work on this project in January, and report my progress. My goal is to reduce my plastic bag and plastic wrap use as much as possible, but I don't expect to eliminate my plastic use completely. Not just yet.