Breaking up with Plastics

We are excited to have a guest storyteller this month. Its so much more meaningful to hear about folks adventures in their own words.

Introducing Nina Hitchen of Plastic Free MV.

Hey there, I’m Nina.  I’m an interior designer and live with my husband and 6 year old twins in Oak Bluffs.  My journey to “life without plastic” began when I was pregnant and decided to rid our kitchen of plastic – concerned about its health effects - originally thinking only in terms of food preparation and storage.   

I replaced Ziploc bags and saran wrap with reusable containers and beeswax wraps, and plastic Tupperware with Pyrex containers and glass jars.  I replaced our Mr. Coffee coffee-maker (plastic!) with an electric percolator (stainless steel!) and found children’s stainless steel dish sets for our kids .  Our kitchen today is composed of tools that are glass, stainless steel, ceramic and/or wood.  Aha moment: not only is non-plastic healthier. . .its prettier!

Along the way I learned about the Zero Waste movement and the facts of plastic pollution – and was inspired by Bea Johnson of “Zero Waste Home”, Lauren Singer of “Trash is for Tossers” and Beth Terry of “My Plastic Free Life” to quit plastic altogether.  Aha moment:  Because it takes 500-100 years for plastic to degrade, every piece of plastic ever made still exists today.

I’ve traded disposables for reusables and have learned how to grocery shop plastic-free on Martha’s Vineyard – by shopping from bulk bins, bringing my own containers for meat and deli goods, and saying no to plastic-packaged produce.   Aha moment: Packaging  =  processed & full of preservatives

Life without plastic means eating more fruits, vegetables and whole foods.  It lends itself to eating locally and seasonally, and also to learning to make things yourself from scratch.  I’m not a good cook, but I’m not afraid to try (and fail). . .so with purpose and persistence, and over several years,  I’ve learned how to make many of the things that are only sold packaged in plastic – like tortillas, crackers, hummus, yogurt and granola bars.  I’m a busy, working mom without a lot of time to spare – but feeding my family healthy foods that don’t hurt the planet is a priority.  So I find the time, and involve the kids.  Aha moment:  Slow down.  Prioritize.  Plastic is the result of “Convenience Culture”.

The “new me” considers the life-cycle of every product I consume.  I refuse plastic and seek out things made of natural, biodegradable, materials and invest in things that are beautiful and will last.  I plan ahead, question “need” and am teaching our kids the value of self-sustenance.

TOP 10  list for you to start a plastic free life.

1. But out bottled water, sodas, juices, and all other plastic-bottled beverages.
   
2. Choose glass, metal or paper packaging (which are essentially endlessly recyclable) over plastic packaging (which is “down-cycled” and ultimately destined for landfill)
   
3. Shop your local farmers market.
   
4. Say no to plastic produce bags (bring your own reusable cloth ones)
   
5. Buy from bulk bins as often as possible.
   
6. Try some DIY!  Beauty products like toothpaste and deodorant, and foods like tortillas, yogurt and hummus are EASY to make yourself!
   
7. Carry your own non-plastic cutlery and straw with you
8. Bring your own container for meat, cheese slices and prepared foods (really you just give it to the deli counter and they fill it up :)
   
9. Use real stuff!  Switch to things made from “real” (ie natural) materials.  Replace your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one!
   
10. Slow down!  Eat in and ditch the to-go container
    
    
    

Follow Nina's journey on  Facebook and Instagram.

Learn more about her recent premiere of Plastic Free MV at Living Local Harvest Festival penned by @PointBBlog.

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