Plastic-Free Girl shares her adventures

Stephanie Beitz, a.k.a. Plastic-Free Girl, is on a mission to live plastic-free for all of 2011. She blogs about her journey, encouraging others to reduce their plastic dependency, providing resources for a plastic-free life, and offering inspiration to everyone concerned about the environment. Recently she took time out to chat with Green Technology Forum about her continuing adventures as Plastic-Free Girl.

GTF: Stephanie, what made you want to go plastic-free?

PFG: I guess this all began a year ago when I started volunteering with an environmental organization called Surfrider Foundation. I was meeting people who were in the know on the current plastic situation and that led to me doing some of my own research. In the end it really came down to the fact that with knowledge comes responsibility. Once I became aware of what the overuse of plastic is doing to our planet, I simply couldn’t continue the way I’d been living. If something I do can help, even just a small amount, why wouldn’t I do it?

 

GTF: What are the benefits for the planet?

PFG: Wow, there are so many! Animals think the plastic is food and eat it, creating a false sense of satiation and resulting in the animal starving to death. Some animals get stuck in various plastic objects like bottles or six-pack rings. Plastics that end up in our oceans leach chemicals into the water and the food chain. Smaller pieces of plastic absorb contaminants and then act as transportation devices, carrying toxins from one body of water to another. Plus, plastic pollution is just plain ugly! My generation and generations that follow will never see a plastic-free beach, which to me is really sad.

 

GTF: What are the benefits for you personally?

PFG: I’m saving money because I’m not making so many impulse buys like DVDs, make-up or plastic-wrapped treats at the grocery store. In addition to not being able to buy convenience grocery items, having to buy a lot of food items in bulk has helped reduce my grocery bill. I’ve actually already noticed my health improving because now I cook all my food from scratch, instead of grabbing something quick that’s wrapped in plastic and filled with preservatives. That’s been a really big benefit for me. Another huge and unexpected advantage is that I feel like I’m living life the way it was meant to be lived. I’m really experiencing life in the moment because I’m not living conveniently anymore. It does take more time to make my own milk or dish soap, but in the end I no longer feel as though I’m floating through life. I feel connected.

 

GTF: What's the biggest hurdle you've faced in your challenge?

PFG: Without a doubt the biggest hurdle has been the temptation! Before starting my challenge, it was so easy to buy whatever I wanted or needed. Now if I see something I want, like a pair of earrings on a plastic hanger or a chocolate bar in a plastic wrapper, I can’t buy them. Trying not to cheat has been so much harder than I’d expected, but already I’ve noticed my will-power improving and I’m saving money. Plus, it’s been fun trying to make things that I normally would have bought.

 

GTF: Given how hard it is to be totally plastic-free in today's world, how would advise our readers to reduce their plastic consumption?

PFG: Refuse, refuse, refuse! There are lots of easy ways to keep your plastic consumption down. Keep a travel mug and reusable cloth bag with you all the time. Don’t buy produce wrapped in plastic – their skin is a built-in wrapper! Purchase glass whenever possible. Make a big batch of granola bars or cookies and freeze them instead of buying the plastic-wrapped ones at the grocery store. So many people think their actions don’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but if we alter our habits and spread the word, one person can make a big difference.

Comments

[Paige Ketchum]

Way to go Stephanie, I am one of her close friends and have personally witnessed how much work she has put into her mission to be plastic free for a year. She has brought significant awareness to making conscious choices about reducing our impact on the world. Personally she has motivated me to be creative and think of ways to avoid plastics and take the time to contemplate how my actions directly impact others. Even if each person reduced their plastic use in one way, for example refusing to use plastic bags at stores they would really be helping. I really appreciate how her mission is creating reconnection to her roots, by making everything from scratch and experiencing all those benefits. I am looking forward to see the progression of Stephanie's journey living plastic free.