The documentary miniseries Hello plastic is being rebroadcast these days on ICI RDI. I see it as an opportunity to take stock, five years after an honest attempt to live without plastic for my family and me. If our consumption is no longer the same, we count the disappointments by the dozens.
Let’s look at the successes first. Bar soaps and detergents purchased in bulk represent the most lasting changes. The quality of the products is comparable to the bottled versions and grocery stores now offer refill stations. For the same price, it’s a no-brainer.
The absence of bags in the household bins often surprises my guests. Thanks to municipal composting, the waste that persists in our trash is dry and odorless. The bags turned out to be superfluous and never came back. We empty the waste directly into the large black rolling bin, without objection from the neighbors or spillage during collection.
I am delighted with the metal containers that take the route to school every day and work as well as the first day. A wise investment!
Disillusionment
Some purchases didn’t live up to their promises. The biggest disappointment was the external filter for the washing machine. Purchased for several hundred dollars, the device promised to filter the water discharged by the washing machine and capture microplastics before they reached municipal water systems. Within a few months of use, the little machine gave off bad smells, the filter was difficult (and disgusting) to clean, and, finally, it caused water damage in the bathroom. To capture the microplastics released by our clothes, we will have to refine the method.
The cute canvas lunch boxes are not sturdy; they barely lasted a school year. The silicone resealable bags are torn and cannot be repaired; they have not survived the vigorous handling of children. Solid shampoos work well for short hair, but are disappointing for thick locks. The chewable toothpaste is disgusting. The washable toilet paper did not win the approval of the family. So many inconclusive tests that greatly disappointed me.
Back
Plastic has reclaimed its place in the family members’ wardrobe. It is difficult to find affordable clothing without synthetic fibers. So we rely on second-hand clothing. When we buy new shoes, we try to save money by targeting sales and end-of-line items. I see that the quality is decreasing, it is overwhelming.
I had to compromise on food. Subscribing to farm baskets and visiting the fruit store allowed us to reduce the amount of plastic packaging. For everything else, I gave up.
Findings
Plastic has its place in our daily lives. Its durability is its best quality and its worst flaw. It is better to use and keep plastic objects as long as possible while resisting the temptation to buy new. Besides, use should dictate the choice of material. Does the fork that we will use for ten minutes to dine at a food court need to be made of a material that will take 50 years to decompose? Certainly not.
Finally, I note that cost is the main obstacle to living without plastic. During our test year, we paid a lot more to avoid plastic. Specialty, local and organic products inflated the bill. In these inflationary times, this lifestyle is not within everyone’s reach.