[A-List] Alternatives to Plastic

[Bill Totten <shimogamo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

by Paul Goettlich

mindfully.org (August 03 2005)

{I highly recommend the HTML version of this article, which contains many useful
pictures not in this plain text version. See the URL at the very end of this
post. Bill}

Over the past few of years, many people asked for help in getting plastic out of
their lives. It is hoped that this article guides you to a cleaner lifestyle.
While it is presently impossible to actually remove all plastic from one's life,
it is definitely worth reducing it to a minimum. Being that the author's age is
greater than fifty years, he came into a world that was nearly free of the
scourge that has come to fruition since then. His own attitude contrasts greatly
with most anti-plastic activists - he is considerably more adamant about
removing all plastics from his life and not so concerned about one or another
type of plastic or single chemical within each. It is also through years of
research that he has seen that all plastics must be stopped rather than one or
even many. But as you approach this subject, please do so at a pace that doesn't
overburden you into dropping the issue altogether. But do move along as quickly
as is practical.

Below are images of the my container collection used in contact with food and
drink. Each is labeled and some have suggestions for other uses and sources.
These are most likely what you came to this article for. However, getting
plastic out of your life is more about a change in lifestyle than merely
removing a few plastic containers in your home. I am working on a book that will
include suggestions for a lifestyle change. What it requires is simply using
common sense and a healthy disrespect for status quo. Stop worrying about
looking out of place in a world injected and coated with plastic. Start your
lifestyle change by disconnecting from consumerism and commercials. Disconnect
the cable - 500 stations with nothing intelligent on any is a crime. Stop your
newspaper subscription. Considering that newspapers are more than half
advertising and don't tell the truth, it's a crime to use new or recycled paper
for this purpose.

Lifestyle changes are things that I have taken on gradually over the years.
Nobody told me what to do. All it took to learn was to think logically about
what I was doing. I'd locate things of this nature that needed to be done
differently and find a way to accomplish the change. Here's one of my latest
changes. I used to purchase organic ketchup in glass bottles. Over the last few
years, there were fewer manufacturers that packed it in glass bottles. Then the
last one to pack ketchup in glass was the company Seeds Of Change, which is now
controlled by M&M/Mars. And we all know what type of health food that M&M/Mars
is famous for - vitamin C (candy, chocolate). [Read "The Green Machine"] {1} So,
the day they stopped packing ketchup in glass, I started cooking my own. It is
substantially better than any store-bought on the market now or in the past
because I make it to please my own taste instead of blindly buying whatever some
scientist advised the company to make. I make a few quarts at a time and can it
in pint-size jars.

Because our regulatory system was created to protect the interests of the
corporate producers, it seems that one of the best ways to regulate them is to
first be forewarned of the environmental and social toxicity they produce and
just refuse to buy it. If we can do this, then they will change or be run out of
business. But whatever we do, we must produce and consume less, and eat lower on
the food chain.

One last thing. Lately, I have seen some sort of biodegradable plates, cups and
utensils for sale at the small grocery I shop at, as well as the Hole (aka Whole
Foods). I see them as just another ploy to maintain the consumerist status quo.
We really don't need such stuff except for "emergencies". And I don't believe
that a material that has had unnatural acts perpetrated on it can return to the
earth in its original state. Single-use containers, bags and other products
should not be used. Their use can never be a sustainable act, no matter what the
manufacturer claims. These products are counterproductive, making the purchaser
feel as if they are doing some good in the world, when in fact they are not.
Sorry for the let-down if you use this stuff. But you didn't come here for

Sincerely, Paul


Glass milk bottles

Organic milk comes in these and they are produced by only one manufacturer in
the USA at this time. There is a list on Mindfully.org of dairies using such
bottles. {2} Please add your dairy to the list if they use glass bottles. These
bottles are perfect for refilling with other drinks such as orange juice,
lemonade, water to drink or to water plants with. Because the cardboard
containers that orange juice is packed in is coated with plastic (polyethylene)
{3}, pour it into one of these bottle when you get home from the grocery store.
Nonorganic milk is made from cows injected with rBGH {4}, a growth hormone that
causes mastitis, which in turn requires the cows to get antibiotic injections.
Nonorganically-raised cows are fed pesticide-ridden grains and genetically
engineered feed such as Monsanto's Roundup Ready corn. {5} The food they eat is
also grown with sewage sludge {6} as fertilizer. Here's a general article titled,
"Why Eat Organic Food?" {7}


Small glass jars

They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. When they are empty, most
people recycle them. I do that too, but many are saved from products such as
mustard purchased at a grocery store, jelly purchased at the local Farmer's
Market, apple juice bottles purchased along the way when my own ran out or
couldn't find a good source of water. The lack of uniformity is in part a sort
of fashion - mostly a denial of fashion - but it is also a means of reduction of
waste and consumerism. The heights of the jars fit in a kitchen drawer with
almost no space to spare. Write the names of the spices in small script on
scraps of paper from your recycling bin and tape them to the top of the jars so
they are visible without lifting them.

Aslan the cat loves us because we have glass bowls for his food and water. His
dry food is kept in a large glass bottle and refilled from twenty or thirty
pound bags.


Tiffin

Aslan likes this stainless steel tiffin that was purchased at an Indian goods
shop. The shop I got it at carries a wide range of stainless steel goods such as
round spice boxes, cookware, cutlery, bowls, trays, plates, containers, tea &
coffee sets, and more.


Large glass bottle

One of the two smaller glass jars in front had honey in it that was purchased at
the Farmers' Market. The other was from something like pickle relish. They are
used for smaller quantities of stuff like dried fruits. The larger jars (one
gallon) were purchased from a great herb shop, Lhasa Karnak Herb Company in
Berkeley. {8} The one on the left has flour in it and can hold about five pounds.
And the one on the right has cereal from the bulk foods area of the grocery
store. I buy it by the case and save and additional ten percent. When the glass
bottle is empty, we refill the cereal from the case using a metal soup ladle.
The next size down on the right has oatmeal in it. Before plastic grabbed the
honey people, I had been purchasing honey in jars that size. I think it holds
about five pounds of honey. It may still be possible to find pickles in the
larger jars. But probably they've been plasticized as well though. The smallest
jar on the left is a small size from the Farmers' Market honey vendor, and the
one on the left is from some store-bought product. I buy as little prepared
foods as possible. And almost no prepared foods in metal cans. The lids on
bottles, even canning jars, are coated with plastic. But if the bottle is stored
upright, the contact is quite minimal.


Mixing Bowls

Mixing bowls are commonly made of plastic these days, as are all other kitchen
implements. But stainless steel is making a comeback. The yellow bowl is an old
Pyrex bowl that was my mother's. Some foods must be kept away from metal, so
find out about them. There is no store that sells all of the kitchen tools and
containers on this page. They were accumulated over a few years. The yellow bowl
was my grandmother's.


Stainless Steel Colander

Not all of these stainless steel colanders are created equal. It's worth holding
out for one that has many holes at the lowest point so as to drain more easily
and effectively. This one is just okay, no better. If I need to drain pasta, I
might do it by placing the pan's lid slightly off, leaving a gap that is a bit
smaller than the pasta. Sometimes I use a stainless steel wire mesh colander or
strainer. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and scrub them before the pasta has a
chance to dry on them. Do it before eating.

Here's a top view of (left to right) a colander, food mill and a strainer. A
chinois (not shown) works well too. It has conical shape, with the tip pointing
down. I use the strainer for sifting flour and straining the solids from a stock.


Food Mill

This food mill is great for crushing tomatoes. The seeds and chunks of skin are
left behind. I once had one of those stylish kitchen tools called a Cuisineart
food processor. It took more time to clean it than it was worth. It also wastes
a lot of space in the small kitchens that many people have. And for some of us,
cranking the food mill or chopping with a knife is the only exercise we get. I
do have an old blender that has a glass top rather than a plastic one. I think
the newer models have polycarbonate tops. Lexan is one brand of polycarbonate
plastic. To learn about polycarbonates, please read this article: "Get Plastic
Out Of Your Diet". {9}


Cast iron waffle mold

This one was made in about 1860 and purchased online for about $25 including
shipping. It was my birthday present a couple years ago. It makes exquisite
waffles without being exposing us to the Teflon coating that is standard with
all waffle makers today. {10} See that these glisten from the oil coating. They
need to be "seasoned" before using them so as to keep the batter from sticking
and so that they don't rust. Did you know that cooking in a Teflon-coated pan
can kill your pet bird? Teflon is also being used in a rapidly expanding set of
cloth consumer goods as Gore-Tex. {11} It supposedly seals out the rain, but
unfortunately, it also seals in body moisture in the form of sweat. I avoided it
for years because of that. But having learned it is just another form of Teflon,
I feel the need to warn others.


One-Gallon Glass Jug

Ahhhh! Bernie's apple cider. Where I live, there is a constant threat of
earthquakes. After rinsing several times and washing in the dishwasher a few
times, they get filled with water and stored in the cardboard cases they came in.
The cases have cardboard dividers that keep the bottles from touching each other.
If the house fell on them they would most likely break. But then, so would
plastic jugs. They get stored in all areas of the house.


Glass Refrigerator Storage

These are Pyrex with a plastic lid. At the time I purchased these, I could find
none with glass lids. I therefore allow food to cool thoroughly before putting
the lids on. I start by cooling the food in it on the counter for a little while.
When it is closer to the ambient room temperature, place it in the refrigerator
without the lid for a while. Before leaving or going to bed, seal the lid on it.
But be very careful not to cool meat in an open container. If I need to cool
meat, I do it in the refrigerator. If it is in a stew, I place it in a bowl
floating in cold water. If it needs to be done very quickly, put ice in the
water. Ice is energy intensive, so use it sparingly.


Bulk peanut butter in a salsa jar

Buy only as much as you'll consume in a week or so. For me, that's less than 1/2
a jar full. Weigh the jar and mark the weight on the top or side so that it may
be subtracted at the cash register. Ask the manager about this before filling
the jar. I had been purchasing olive oil as a bulk commodity in one-quart juice
bottles until I found an olive farmer who will refill that ten-litre stainless
steel container above. I keep extras of these so I can buy fresh peanut or
almond butter while the old one is being washed.


Lids

At left are canning lids and at right used lids from a variety of products.
Canning lids can be used more than once if they are handled carefully. One way
to extend their useful life is to trade them for lids from other jars. For
instance, you might purchase tomato sauce with the same size lid as canning jars.
Once the canned fruit or vegetables are opened, rinse off the lid and replace it
with the other lid. If you see a scratch or rust spot on the inside face, then
do not reuse the canning lid.


Nonplastic Kitchen Tools

The thing that looks like a rake is for pulling spaghetti from the water or a
bowl. There are a couple old wooden spoons, some spatulas, a pastry brush hiding
in the back, a large bottle brush and a pair of heavy-duty kitchen shears. All
are in a ceramic container.

You can carve your own spoons and tools out of solid blocks of wood. I have a
retired neighbor who makes wood bowls for his grandchildren.


Bulk Liquid Storage

Ten-litre stainless steel container with spigot made by Fustinox used for olive
oil. {12} I keep it cool in the basement and refill the glass bottle topped with
a natural cork from a wine bottle. Brown glass protects the contents from
ultraviolet sunlight, but green does not. The brown bottle is 1/2 litre beer
bottle. Any size one needs is available.

Old wine and beer bottles can be cut with a glass cutter to make table glasses.
There are special cutters one can purchase, but with a little practice you can
make a simple jig and use a small hand-held glass cutter that is typically used
to cut window panes or mirrors. Mark the bottle where it is to be cut. Keep a
firm and steady pressure on the bottle with the cutter. Turn the bottle at the
same time. The trick is getting the score to begin and end at the same place.
Tap it with the balled end of the cutter and the two parts should separate. Sand
off the cut edge using a fine 320 grit silicone carbide paper, being careful not
to breathe or get any of the dust in your eyes. Afterwards, wash the glass as
well.


Lunch Containers for School or Work

Padded cases for carrying in backpack for lunch at work or school. The glass
bottle is a twelve-ounce juice bottle from Bernie's cider. The flatware is
purchased very inexpensively at a salvage shop. The food container is a Pyrex
round glass container (see above). Food that goes into it is always cold and is
kept cool by the padded case. I also try to keep the lid pointing up if possible.
And always remove the lid before heating the food in the container. Never ever
microwave food in anything. What is meant by this is that microwaving is
unhealthy in any container, whether it is plastic or glass. Microwaving
increases free radicals that promote cancerous cells. Many daycare centers heat
children's food in plastic Tupperware containers. But you should be sure not to
allow them to do this with your child's food. There are may ways of avoiding it.
One is to serve is cold. What's better is to let it sit out for a half-hour
before serving. But this kind of practice would be next to impossible to get the
staff to do. Serving cold would be more likely to happen. If microwaving still
is the only method acceptable to parents and staff, then do so without the lid
on. Write on the lids with black markers, "REMOVE LID BEFORE HEATING !!"


Cast Iron Muffin Pans

Cast iron muffin pans from Lodge Mfg must be seasoned with cooking oil to reduce
sticking. {13} The muffin holes are a bit too small for my liking, but they work
great.


Stainless Steel Canteens

Stainless steel canteens by Kleen Kanteen. {14} Be sure to get the stainless
steel lids with them. I have two sizes - twenty ounces and 44 ounces.


Large and small stainless steel bowls

I use the large sixteen-ince stainless steel bowl for mixing large batches of
bread and the seven-inch one is sometimes used for really small jobs. My
favorite bread recipe is a modified version from Edward Espe Brown, The
Tassajara Bread Book Shambhala Publications, Berkeley (1970). This bowl is big
enough for about four or five heavy whole wheat loaves. I also use it as a
serving bowl at picnics and other events when I need to feed many people. It'll
hold about two pounds (dry) of cooked pasta with a tomato sauce or a great big
bean salad. Enameled bowls and pots work. If they get overheated, the glazing
with craze and later fall off in minute particles.


Large Enameled Cast Iron Pan

Purchased as slightly damaged at a sale in the mid-1970s for about twenty
percent of the price for a perfect one at that sale. It gets used pretty much
every day. There's no Teflon coating. {10} It's heavy but does a great job of
cooking food evenly. Nonenameled cast iron pans work just as well and can be
purchased at tag sales because the seller usually has the "modern" nonstick
Teflon-coated pans that offgass some pretty terrible fumes that can kill your
pet bird and get into your body too. Can Teflon affect you and your family? Of
course it can. But did you know that Teflon is being used in just about every
kind of product that is made with cloth? It's called Gor-tex. {11} Your feet
probably don't get as hot as a frying pan, but there has been no meaningful
testing of such products done to my knowledge.


Mismatched stainless flatware and ceramic plates

Purchased at a shop that sells used goods. One or two of each may have a match.
They take the place of paper plates and plastic utensils. Use them at home or at
a picnic. If you take them on a picnic, be sure to wrap them sufficiently. I use
cloth napkins and towels, and/or paper from my recycling bin. Cloth napkins will
be needed anyway, so using them as packing will save space and protect the
plates. Pack them into a big canvas bag and be sure to secure the bag on the
trip to the picnic. It's a heavy load. But people rarely complain about their
cooler full of beer and soda, which, by the way, we shouldn't drink anyway. Well,
maybe just one or two beers ... please.


Camp wear

Purchase stainless steel plates and mugs at a camping goods store and use them
with the mismatched flatware from a store that sells used goods.


Measuring cups and spoons

Glass and a glazed cast iron pie plates


Stainless steel steamer

Adjusts itself to fit the pot it is placed inside of. I steam a lot of food.
Sometimes I use a large cylindrical steamer that fits atop a large pot. It has
room for a few ears of corn, some small potatoes and a half-head of cabbage that
is cut into smaller sections.


Notes:

1. "The Green Machine" by Jason Mark in The Monthly, Emeryville, California
(October 01 2004)
http://mindfully.org/Farm/2004/Monoculture-Organic-Corps1oct04.htm


2. http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Dairies-Glass-Bottles-Milk.htm

3. http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Polyethylene/polyethylene.htm

4. Please Google on rBGH and www.mindfully.org

5. http://mindfully.org/Pesticide/Monsanto-Roundup-Glyphosate.htm

6. Please Google on "sewage sludge" and www.mindfully.org

7. http://mindfully.org/Food/Why-Eat-Organic-Food.htm

8. http://www.herb-inc.com/

9. http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Out-Of-Diet-PG5nov03.htm

10. http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Teflon/teflon.htm

11. Please Google on Gore-Tex and www.mindfully.org

12. http://www.fustinox.com/pages/1/index.htm

13. http://www.lodgemfg.com/

14. http://www.kleankanteen.com/


http://mindfully.org/Plastic/Alternatives/Alternatives-Plastic-Goettlich3aug05.htm


Bill Totten     http://billtotten.blogspot.com/