What would the world be like if everyone just started to refuse to use plastic?

I was wondering the other day, would it be possible to go for a week without using any plastic? That’s no plastic lids for your cub, no plastic on your commuter cup, no tape, no to most pens—would I even be able to drive my car without plastic. At one time, all of things were possible. My mom remembers being careful not to break the shampoo bottle in the shower, because it was made of glass.

Maybe it is better to start small. I have a friend who for a year, never used to-go cups. Like a little medieval wench at a drinking hole, she brought her own cup with her wherever she went.

I have tried to stop using plastic straw. (they make paper straws, people!) I saw a horrible (horrible!) video on facebook where some people pulled a plastic straw from a sea-turtle’s nose. Don’t look it up. Take my word for it. Even seeing it now makes my stomach turn. I felt so bad for the little guy. It’s a shame that some many things that are harmless and insignificant to us, could cause such pain in an animal.

I have also seen pictures of the inside of a bird’s stomach, after it had died from starvation. It’s stomach was full of little bits of plastic, a brightly colored jumble of drink tops, garment tags, and bits of broken things.  I think of that little hungry bird every time I pull the red tape from around a drink cap—these little bits that we throw so nonchalantly in the trash are the death of some poor beastie.

It’s funny, the things we know are bad, for the environment, for ourselves, and we go ahead and do them anyway, because it is easier.

So, for my part, no more plastic straws. Consume less, appreciate more.

If you try a week of no plastic, let me know how it goes! (And if it is even possible!)