Change The World Wednesday

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you'd rather jump straight to the current challenge, you can do so by clicking here: This Week's Challenge


Our challenge last week was seriously tough ... and a real eye-opener!! As I wandered through the isles of our grocery store, it was difficult to find products that weren't, in some way, touched by plastic. Even produce was wrapped in the stuff. While alternatives for some items are available, they tend to be much more expensive. In many cases, a plastic-free product simply isn't available. The situation worsened as I walked through the pharmacy ... everything is in plastic. I wondered about the plastic bottles that medications come in and asked if the pharmacy had a recycling program ... a way to reuse them. Unfortunately, the bottles are regulated by law and can't be reused. The same is true for vitamin/supplement containers.

Our society's use of plastic is a huge problem and one which won't be solved easily or quickly. That's not to say that we shouldn't make the effort ... far from it! Every time that we choose not to buy plastic, we vote with our dollar ... we make a statement that we don't want the stuff in our environment. If enough people take action, companies will begin to listen.

Our #CTWW Gang is 36 strong this week (we're aiming for 40 next week). These people tweeted about our challenge using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're on twitter, stop by and say hello to them:

@eco_footprint_1
@peanutscreation
@becomingcrunchy
@tazzini
@waxelene
@takebacktables
@earthmomandbaby
@envirofusion
@notperfume
@upcycledlove
@greenmommel
@homeopath2stars
@mindfulmomma
@ranumpowerplay
@groovygreenlivi
@peopletowels
@noteasy2begreen
@gogreenbeans
@waylandcook
@tiffanystoybox
@loveandtrash
@skipbang
@alwayswellwithn
@venajensen
@greentim
@JnJGoGreen
@clothmamajess
@satyacolombo
@yan_tougas
@lynn_stone
@shoppingcharity
@AmbianceEco
@whopaysthepiper
@LittleGreenBlog
@cheffelisha
@newgrass

Next up, our Honor Society. These folks wrote articles and/or left comments:

Argentum Vulgaris started out the week with enthusiasm. In this POST he talks about his plans for the week. On DAY 1 he reported back to to say that although he didn't buy anything except for a drink at the botequim (neighbourhood bar), he wasn't successful. You'll be surprised at where plastic showed up. By Sunday AV was reporting A Stupendous Failure ... be sure to read the post because you'll see that there are many ways to look at a situation. Thanks, AV!

Petunia GreenBeans took the challenge. She brings hosiery bags to the store to carry produce in. She cautions consumers about making the assumption that items packed in plastic "clam shell" containers are sterile, valuable and/or better ... they aren't.

Jessica avoids plastic like the plague! She's quite successful at avoiding it so she decided to "up the ante" ... for us and for herself. Check out this POST on "Eco-inactivism at the bulk bins" to see what she's doing and be sure to read to the end where she discusses her week and the small bit of plastic that she wasn't able to avoid. Great job, Jessica!!

Tiffany, Tristin and Tyler accept the challenge. Yay! Who knows ... maybe we'll see a video about it, huh?

Alicia is already doing a great job of refusing plastic ... she shops mainly at farmer's markets and the bulk isle of her store, using her own bags to carry items. Her one area of concern, and her challenge for the week, is buying fish. It typically comes in plastic so she'll be checking out alternate packaging. Let us know how it goes, Alicia!

Jennifer says that "Preparation seems to be key". She did great this week ... she even made something at home which seems to only come in a plastic container in the store. Here's a hint ... it requires almonds. Can you guess what it is? You'll find out in this POST along with all the items she was able to buy without plastic ... and a few that she passed up. Thanks, Jennifer!

Peanuts Creations stopped by and likes the challenge ... nice to see you, my crafty friend!

From our challenge on green achievements, Amanda writes "I just recently started cloth diapering and using cloth wipes also, making my own face wash (OCM), just found Dr. Bronners and using it for tons of stuff, I found skoy clothes to use instead of paper towels loving it, making my own cleaning products, I got a Diva Cup last month, no more tampons. I have done a lot in the last couple of months and I am so enjoying it!" Congratulations, Amanda ... you've done a great job!!

Nicole B. says that this is HARD but she's going to take it on. Yay, Nicole ... be sure to come back and let us know how it turns out!

TheRiverWanders found a way to eliminate a big chunk of plastic from her life ... she makes her own laundry detergent. Not only is her detergent inexpensive, easy to make and efficient ... she doesn't have any plastic to deal with. Yay!

Yan Tougas stopped by and offered his support. Be sure to check out his Minimalist Mondays page ... many of the items he lists are Eco-friendly (love the one about washing a breakfast bowl).

The Shopping Charity gave our challenge a front page spot. This edition also contains articles such as "Is social media about to die out for hospitals, and everyone else?", "No Two Are Alike Original Contemporary Abstract Art by RoseRefour" and "Born A Hero « Rhode Island Blood Center".

Kelly was impressed by the achievements posted in a previous challenge. There was one that especially stood out to her and she wrote about it HERE. Was it your achievement?

Mrs. Green is the "Queen of Green" ... she and her family have reduced their actual trash to one small bag ... no, not a garbage bag, a small bag about the size of common freezer bags. So ... how do you think she did on this challenge? The answer (found HERE) might surprise you. In this POST she talks about one practical way to eliminate plastic from our lives forever. Thanks, Mrs. G!

What do "peanuts" and "thinking" have in common? They both show up in this POST by our very own Rewinn. I love his line "In any exercise program, perfection is nice to aim at but the goal is to improve." Well said, Rewinn!

Mandi, The Eclectic Teen, says that this challenge is tough but she's totally up for it. Thanks, Mandi ... love your enthusiasm. Be sure to come back and tell us how it went for you!

Kris has an event coming up this weekend which she needs to shop for ... and she's going to see how well she can avoid plastic. In this POST, she talks about the things she's already doing to eliminate plastic at the store. Thanks, Kris ... can't wait to hear how your event shopping goes.

Fabulous job everyone! If you wrote a post, I have Stumbled, Tweeted and Facebooked it.

Okay ... ready for more?

This Week's Challenge:

We're going to revisit our original challenge which is designed to save water. If you've been with us from the beginning and have already accomplished this challenge, feel free to "up the ante" on the rest of us. Here you go:

This week take only showers and limit them to no more than 5 minutes each.

Or ...

If this is something you already do, please share other water saving ideas with us.

UP THE ANTE: Argentum Vulgaris challenges us to take a 3-minute shower and further save water by peeing in the shower. Oh My Goodness!!

"CALL" THE ANTE AND RAISE IT ONE: Brian challenges us as follows: "When you take a shower do so with the coldest water you can stand. This will save you money because your water heater will not run as much plus it is better for the environment because...well, your water heater will not run as much." WhooHoo ... it is ON!

Until next week ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!