I Tried Kicking Plastic to the Curb for a Week and Here's the Shocking Truth

Plastic isn't great for your health or the planet, so I decided to take on a bold experiment: I ditched plastic for a week. As a reporter for NPR, I've covered the effects of plastic pollution on the environment and human health, but I wanted to see firsthand how hard it would be to avoid single-use plastics in my daily life. The challenge proved to be more daunting than I expected, but it also taught me some valuable lessons that have stuck with me long after my week was up.

My plastic-free journey began on a Monday morning. I started by rummaging through my kitchen, getting rid of any single-use plastics I could find. I replaced my plastic water bottle with a glass one, switched to a reusable coffee cup, and started using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap for food storage. But as I delved deeper into my daily routine, I realized just how pervasive plastic is in our daily lives.

From the plastic bags used to package my favorite snacks to the microbeads in my face wash, it seemed like plastic was everywhere. I had to get creative to avoid it. I started buying my nuts and dried fruits in bulk, and I made my own face wash using natural ingredients. But there were some things I just couldn't give up. I love sushi, and most sushi restaurants still use plastic soy sauce packets. I also found it hard to resist the temptation of plastic-wrapped snacks when I was on the go.

Despite the challenges, I noticed some significant benefits from ditching plastic. For one, I saved money. Buying in bulk and cooking at home instead of ordering takeout saved me over $20 a week. I also noticed that my trash output decreased significantly. Before, I would throw away at least a few plastic bags and water bottles a week, but during my plastic-free week, my trash barely filled a small bin.

Moreover, I felt healthier. I started paying more attention to the ingredients in my food and personal care products, and I made some surprising discoveries. Many of the products I used contained chemicals like BPA and parabens, which have been linked to hormonal imbalances and cancer. By switching to natural products, I felt like I was taking better care of my body.

But the most surprising benefit was the impact on my mental health. Living plastic-free forced me to slow down and be more mindful of my consumption. I started thinking more about the waste I generated and the impact it had on the planet. It was a liberating feeling, and it made me realize just how much of a slave I had been to convenience.

Of course, there were also some challenges. There were times when I felt like I was missing out on things, like when my friends wanted to grab takeout or go to a restaurant that used plastic straws. But overall, I felt like the benefits far outweighed the costs.

So, will I continue to live plastic-free? Honestly, it's hard to say. While I learned some valuable lessons from my experiment, I also realized just how ingrained plastic is in our culture. It's hard to avoid it entirely. However, I do plan to continue making some of the changes I made during my experiment. I'll keep using my reusable water bottle and coffee cup, and I'll try to buy in bulk whenever possible.

For those who want to try their own plastic-free experiment, here are a few tips: start small, be patient, and don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up. Remember, it's the small changes that add up over time. And most importantly, don't forget to take care of yourself during the process. Living plastic-free can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding.