I Miss Cheese
As someone who eats quite a lot of cheese, I really miss it. They sell cheese in non-plastic packaging at the store in Pennard (mentioned in blog post 1), but I haven't had time to drive up there (and it's probably pricier than my usual medium cheddar in tesco).
I can't say I honestly appreciated how difficult going plastic free was going to be. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I didn't account for how time consuming it would be. By now, I've made bread, jam, yoghurt, produce bags, granola... not to mention the fact that my shopping is done in multiple locations to get everything I need.
I managed to do a lot of my shopping in Swansea Market. Billy Upton, the butchers, was very helpful when I explained my plan, and happily filled up my tupperware boxes. The prices were great (see the picture below), and they were even happy to swap gammon steaks for some sausages in the deal because gammon steaks were pre-wrapped. I also managed to get a lot of fruit and veg from the market, and the staff there were more than happy to fill my produce bags for me. Then I visited Holland and Barrett where I could buy dried fruits and nuts to put in my granola. But that's already 3 different shops, without having purchased any tinned food, jars (like pasta sauce or curry), dairy products or household bits. In fact, with bottled milk being available at George Chaplin and Sons in Killay, pasta and tea being available in the shop in Pennard, toiletries being available in lush, and most of the other things I need in the supermarkets, that's 7 different shops to get everything I need.
When I realise things I want but can't get without plastic (like mayonnaise), I try to work out ways to make them. It's disheartening when I realise that every recipe seems to contain something that I'll struggle to get out of plastic.
However, despite it being a difficult challenge, it's brought some new and interesting experiences. I found a great facebook page called 'Zero Waste Making Circle' where people post various ideas and recipes.
While scrolling through, I found a recipe for slow cooker yoghurt and decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, it meant buying a pot of live yoghurt (which I could only find in plastic) to start it off, but the recipe suggests using a bit of the end of each batch to start the next batch so (if I plan it correctly), I should only have to buy one plastic pot. I deliberately chose a yoghurt in a plastic pot that I could refill again, making the plastic film the only single use piece. I also found that Sainsbury's sell paper bags (that look just like bags of flour) of different bread and cake mixes. I tried making a loaf of bread yesterday and was thrilled by how easy it was.
My next big challenge is trying to make a plastic-free fancy picnic. As anyone who's been to the proms in the park will know, it's fairly typical to take a posh picnic, and I'd usually buy everything to take with me. Predictably, every single thing I would usually take with me comes in a single use plastic of one form or another, so it's time to get baking. Suggestions welcome!
A tip for anyone reading this who's trying to cut down on plastic- I found Sainsbury's was a lot better than Tesco for loose fresh produce. It's far from great, and a long way behind Waitrose, but I was a lot more successful there than in Tesco. Towards the end of my 25 days, I'll try to write a list of groceries and where they can be bought plastic free.
I'll blog again after the weekend... 10 days down, 15 to go!
I can't say I honestly appreciated how difficult going plastic free was going to be. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I didn't account for how time consuming it would be. By now, I've made bread, jam, yoghurt, produce bags, granola... not to mention the fact that my shopping is done in multiple locations to get everything I need.
I managed to do a lot of my shopping in Swansea Market. Billy Upton, the butchers, was very helpful when I explained my plan, and happily filled up my tupperware boxes. The prices were great (see the picture below), and they were even happy to swap gammon steaks for some sausages in the deal because gammon steaks were pre-wrapped. I also managed to get a lot of fruit and veg from the market, and the staff there were more than happy to fill my produce bags for me. Then I visited Holland and Barrett where I could buy dried fruits and nuts to put in my granola. But that's already 3 different shops, without having purchased any tinned food, jars (like pasta sauce or curry), dairy products or household bits. In fact, with bottled milk being available at George Chaplin and Sons in Killay, pasta and tea being available in the shop in Pennard, toiletries being available in lush, and most of the other things I need in the supermarkets, that's 7 different shops to get everything I need.
When I realise things I want but can't get without plastic (like mayonnaise), I try to work out ways to make them. It's disheartening when I realise that every recipe seems to contain something that I'll struggle to get out of plastic.
However, despite it being a difficult challenge, it's brought some new and interesting experiences. I found a great facebook page called 'Zero Waste Making Circle' where people post various ideas and recipes.
While scrolling through, I found a recipe for slow cooker yoghurt and decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, it meant buying a pot of live yoghurt (which I could only find in plastic) to start it off, but the recipe suggests using a bit of the end of each batch to start the next batch so (if I plan it correctly), I should only have to buy one plastic pot. I deliberately chose a yoghurt in a plastic pot that I could refill again, making the plastic film the only single use piece. I also found that Sainsbury's sell paper bags (that look just like bags of flour) of different bread and cake mixes. I tried making a loaf of bread yesterday and was thrilled by how easy it was.
My next big challenge is trying to make a plastic-free fancy picnic. As anyone who's been to the proms in the park will know, it's fairly typical to take a posh picnic, and I'd usually buy everything to take with me. Predictably, every single thing I would usually take with me comes in a single use plastic of one form or another, so it's time to get baking. Suggestions welcome!
A tip for anyone reading this who's trying to cut down on plastic- I found Sainsbury's was a lot better than Tesco for loose fresh produce. It's far from great, and a long way behind Waitrose, but I was a lot more successful there than in Tesco. Towards the end of my 25 days, I'll try to write a list of groceries and where they can be bought plastic free.
I'll blog again after the weekend... 10 days down, 15 to go!
Comments
Post a Comment