Eco-friendly Medicine/Personal Care and a Victory of Self-Control

So, if you've been reading this blog, you know that I make exceptions to my plastic avoidance in the name of medical and personal sanitation. I've recently found a potential fix for my band-aid situation. Granted, there's still some plastic involved, but no latex and more recycling involved in the packaging. Pretty pumped.

Another issue has always been feminine care. Apparently there are some options in that area too: eco-friendly products or the even more eco-friendly option of feminine "cups." I hear good things about both the Keeper and the Diva Cup. It's good to know there are options, even in these tricky areas!

Question for you -- any thoughts on non-plastic hair ties?

In other news, I was quite proud of myself this morning. I accidentally slept in the American University library (was doing research for a paper, got lost in an historiographical argument, stayed too late, couldn't figure out how to get home, decided to nap until daylight to avoid long dark walk, woke up much later than expected). On the (long!) walk home, I REALLY wanted to stop at Starbucks for coffee and a delicious breakfast sandwich. I managed to exercise restraint and wait until I got home, where I prepared my own "mocha" and a nice hot breakfast (no sandwich, since I have no bread, since all bread comes wrapped in plastic). That means I avoided using a disposable cup, plastic lid, and plastic wrapper from the sandwich. Yay for self-control despite absurd circumstances.

A trip to CVS, aka Plastics 'R Us

I just got back from CVS, where I acquired way too much plastic:

*A new blow dryer. I just got my hair cut and realized that it really does look different when you use an ionizer/shaper. Smooth, instead of static-y. Plus, my old hairdryer was about 4 years old and starting to make those scary smells that foretell of doom. Anybody have non-plastic hairdryer options while I still can return this hunk o' plastic?

*New mascara. Ladies out there in the plastic blogosphere, please offer advice. Are there any plastic-free cosmetics? I would love to eliminate, but I just can't go without mascara. My eyelashes are blonde.

*Pantyhose/knee highs. To their credit, the Leggs hose do come in fully recyclable containers that are even marked as such (so as to remind us to recycle them). But obviously hose are plastic. And I get runs in my hose ALL the time, which means that I need to buy new ones very very often. Plus I have a number of interviews this week, and I'll be needing the nylons. Any thoughts?

Wow, this was a girly blog. Must be easier for guys to cut down.

Plastic in Daily Life

I used a lot of plastic today, but I don't feel guilty. This was the kind of plastic that I truly don't know how to avoid while still being a responsible, hygiene-oriented person. Here's what happened:

1. I bought my books for the semester. One of them was wrapped in plastic (with a plastic CD-ROM inside) and there were no used copies anywhere. If I ordered it online, there would have been packaging and unnecessary shipping energy, so I don't think that's a net gain. I had to do it.
2. I went to CVS where I acquired:

• a new toothbrush, made of plastic and wrapped in plastic (I think this counts as medical plastic, but why isn't someone making an eco-brush? Or are they? Please inform!)
• a new roll of Satin Tape floss, aka the reason I have never had a cavity (again, I think this counts as medical plastic but would love to replace it)
• a new bottle of hydrogen peroxide -- I got a big one from which I can refill my smaller size, so a little plastic saved but still too much used; again, medical plastic, but depressing

3. I cooked the free food my mom's been giving me. Unfortunately, it involved salmon wrapped in plastic. It wasn't even a reusable baggie that I could have washed out!

Any ideas for combatting these types of plastic?

Plastic Binge

Ok, so I went on a last-minute plastic binge. I stocked up on some of the things that are going to be a real challenge for me, such as:
*gum (the cardboard is ok but the outer plastic wrap is a killer)
*paper towels and tissues (not sure what to do without these...I think from time to time I'll just have to buy them, though I can reduce my usage by using rags and handkerchiefs)
*shampoo (I know about the bar shampoo/conditioner at Lush, but I'm apprehensive)
*plastic pens (though I still have to find some non-plastic to write with tomorrow in class since my prof. banned plastic)
*Lean Pockets
*make-up.

Yesterday I had a last meal in the food court at Union Station. I LOVE the Indian food there. I wonder if they'd let me bring my own reusable plate...I may try it one of these days.

On the bright side, I refused a straw at dinner and carried my leftovers home wrapped in a napkin! I'm going to be ok!