The Problem with Planning around Plastic 

Here I was at a convention this last week, getting excited about authors and getting kids excited about authors and reading. The problem with plastic is my lack of planning to be prepared for how much plastic I come across when outside of my home. Recycling is great, but eliminating the use of plastic altogether is even better. 

It was not even 8:00 and within the breakfast time frame, I had already used plastic cutlery, a paper plate, a plastic cup for water, a disposable coffee cup and plastic lid. So much waste in so little time. Lunch did not get any better. I didn't carry my cups with me to the panels, so I used again, more cups, lids, plastic silverware, and a paper plate. I have all of these ideas about how to avoid these things, but I do not put them into action very well. I've come to the conclusion that in order to make an impact, I need to make being prepared a routine, and then it isn't so hard to remember after a while. 

I often carry a reusable bottle for water, and that is something that I need to continue to bring with me everywhere. I have reusable straws and reusable plastic silverware that I should just keep in my purse or bag ALWAYS. But one I hadn't thought about is a coffee travel mug. A teacher and friend of mine was sitting next to me that morning and she had brought her travel mug. Genius! That won't fit in my purse daily, but why couldn't I plan to add that to my packing last for future trips? The problem with plastic is that I'm not planning to be prepared to skip it. Now I'll start adding a few more items to my purse so that can skip the straw next time. 

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