2009 Plastic Free Accomplishments, By the Numbers...

With my mom visiting, my son's birthday party, a new addition to our home (our new puppy Leo), and a huge proposal due at work, it's no wonder I didn't get around to listing my 2010 plastic free goals and 2009 accomplishments. I'll save my goals for future postings, as I'll have a new one each month. But here are my accomplishments so far, by the numbers:

2009 Plastic Free Accomplishments

0 - plastic garbage bags in my kitchen (instead, I use a stainless steel garbage can with *yikes* a removable plastic liner...hey it's still better than using the bags!)

3 months (and counting) - months in which I have not purchased paper towels

6 - washable, reusable towels I purchased to replace paper towels

8 - cloth napkins I own (no more paper napkins!)

10+ - resusable grocery bags I own

36 - number of tampons in the box of Tampax with the biodegradable applicator (I switched to this brand from a Playtex version with a plastic applicator)

55/68 - day/evening temperatures my thermostat is set to for energy efficiency (and cost savings, too!)

There are also some things I accomplished that can't really be quantified, such as:

• Using powered dishwasher soap (packaged in a cardboard box) instead of dishwasher tabs - While I miss the ease of the dishwasher tabs, there really is no difference in how clean the dishes get. I also use the powered soap when I hand wash my dishes, and it works well...my only complaint is that this makes my hands so dry and rough...can anyone suggest where I can find a good pair of eco-friendly cleaning gloves?
• Using powered laundry detergent (packaged in a cardboard box) instead of liquid laundry soap in plastic bottles - Here's one decision I totally regret! When my family switched to liquid laundry soap in the late 1980s/early 1990s, I thought the days of seeing dandruff-like remnents of laundry detergent on my clothes were over. Boy was I wrong! The powered detergent/cardboard box sounds like a great idea, but unless someone can recommend an eco-friendly, affordable brand that doesn't leave detergent flakes behind, I'm going back to the liquid soap I trust and love.
• Using Bar Soap and Deoderant - This is one of my best decisions so far! Bar soap is way less expensive than body wash, and you don't have to keep buying poufs! I also believe it lasts longer, too! I'm also in love with the bar of deoderant I bought from Lush...I joke around and say I smell a little bit like nature, but I swear it's provided me the better protection than any other deoderant I've ever used.

Well, that's all I can think of right now, but I'd love to hear what others have done / plan to do as well. Please post a comment :)

Alternative Christmas Trees

No...I don't mean Christmas trees that smell like teen spirit...

CasaSugar recently shared a list to 10 Stylish Reusable Christmas Trees that are alternatives to the traditional tree, especially for those of you who can't decide between getting a real or fake tree. Some of them are also eco-friendly! :)

My favorite?

Aaron R. Thomas Lucite Acrylic Christmas Tree

Unlike most of the other alternative trees, this one sits on the floor, comes in three standard Christmas tree size - 4 ft., 6 ft, and 8 ft -and has room for tons of ornaments. It's made from recyclable acrylic and is made in Orange County, CA. It has a hefty price tag - $678 - but man, what a cool looking tree!

Read more about Aaron R. Thomas and the company's acrylic recycling program.

Which alternative tree was your favorite?

Real or Fake? The Christmas Tree Debate

I'm sure many of you went back and forth about what type of Christmas tree to get this season - real or fake? While there are pros and cons to both, the most eco-friendly choice to get a real Christmas tree from a tree farm.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association - a group that provides a great comparison chart on their website - real Christmas trees are the best option because they are:

• Grown in the US
• 100% biodegradable
• Carbon Neutral
• Lead and Plastic Free
  

I've been trying really hard to be eco-friendly, but this year I committed Christmas tree-son (treason) and bought a fake Christmas tree. In my defense, "a one-time purchase of an artificial tree can save gas otherwise used for annual trips to the local tree farm." (Robert Lilienfeld, co-author of Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are) The tree is also reusable and the lights are LED lights.

I also believe I made the most sustainable choice, given my situation. Sustainability isn't only about being eco-friendly or green. It also takes people, culture, and economics into consideration. As a single mom with limited financial resources, the $35 pre-lit 6 ft. tree I bought at Walmart totally fit my budget. A real tree of the same size would have cost more than that! I also saved time and money by not having to rent a truck and ropes to transport the tree (or having to schedule time with friends to help me). I also avoided the frustration of having to string lights on the tree. My tree is easy to transport, store and assemble, which is more important to me. And just look at the smile on my son's face...that's all the justification I need! :)

 Which type of Christmas tree did you get this year? Is it eco-friendly and/or sustainable?