As I've mentioned, I've been seriously thinking of my throwaway lifestyle so I've been reading a lot of blogs and articles to motivate me and give me ideas. I stumbled on this. What better way to help me start being greener by making a 2 month commitment? They say that it takes 21-66 days to make and action a habit, so if I do something for 2 months, that brings me to nearly 66 days :D
Right now these are the stuff that I do and should continue:
- Use rechargeable batteries. Batteries are so cheap here in Vietnam and it would be easy to fall back into habit. I even bought some for my parents a while back. Good thing they bought rechargeable lamps (some with AM/FM radios) to use at the farm and for blackouts.
- Luckily, I grew up with in a household that uses dish towels and my housemates did, too.
- I've got allergic rhinitis and there are days when it's so bad --- runny nose, seemingly endless sneezes ---tissue paper makes it worse so I use hankies or baby face towels.
- I used to love wrapping gifts, I would make each one different depending on the recipient. Recently, I've been avoiding the use of wrapping paper and I've been choosing reusable bags or I don't wrap at all. Still thinking of other ways to wrap gifts without adding to the trash.
- Instead of disposable Q-tips, I use a small metal ear cleaner. It has a tiny spoon at one end, used to scoop out ear wax.
And these are the stuff that I'm going to add to it:
- Ditch the 'poo ---> until I find baking soda and ACV, I'm going to be using warm water and/or lime/lemon juice to clean my hair and a bit of conditioner **cheating a bit, figured i can start with shampoo and go from there
- Use cloth wipes for #1 even when I'm out ---> gotta give the credit to my Mom, who started doing this years ago, much better for my V and the environment!
These are some of my "problems"
- Reusable shopping bags ---> I've got some for dry goods but I don't have anything for produce or meat. And I often forget bringing them because I rarely have a bag with me when I go out.
- Paper towels ---> my housemates (who cook, because I don't) use paper towels to absorb the grease of fried food
- Disposable chopsticks and straws ---> here in Vietnam, most takeouts (and even dine-in) include these. Even if you try to tell them you don't need them, they would usually forget and put it in anyway.
- Water bottle ---> even if I do insist on carrying my own water bottle, some places require you to buy drinks from them. Tap water isn't an option because there is no central water treatment here.
- Paper napkins/wet wipes ---> sometimes I have one or two hankies on hand but what do I do when I'm outside and I'm going to eat something very messy like crab? Not all restaurants here have a wash area
- Cleanser, laundry detergent, deodorant and other items that I can make ---> ingredients are difficult to obtain here.
Plans *Buying these stuff but will have to wait for a couple of months. I'm not very confident receiving packages here as they might get lost or be tasked by customs.
- Sanitary napkins, pantyliners,
- Wet bag for travelling *in place of ziploc bags
- Reusable sandwich bag
- Produce and insulated bags for fruits, vegetables, meat and other wet goods
Note: I am not an environmentalist. I think for the present, you can just label me environmentally-concerned. I was talking about less packaging with a friend and she started saying "Oh you're one of those environmentalists." I wish I were... But I'm too lazy to be one.
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