i've decided to keep a small zero-waste car kit to help keep our waste low while out and about. it's always a good idea to take food along (we usually end up with the most nutritious and cheapest snacks and meals this way), but sometimes we plan on or end up indulging in a treat on the road. i thought this would be a good way to remain prepared.
also...we're heading out on a road trip in the weeks to come. i plan to take some supplies to help keep waste as low as possible while shopping and eating on the road. i think these items (+ a few more) will be helpful at that point as well.
also...we're heading out on a road trip in the weeks to come. i plan to take some supplies to help keep waste as low as possible while shopping and eating on the road. i think these items (+ a few more) will be helpful at that point as well.
our lessen-the-waste car kit includes:
-3 mason jars (mr. tribe already takes two bottles) these can be used at a coffee shop, to split a smoothie, to get frozen yogurt, or to hold anything else
-3 cuppows + metal rings (work for smoothies or warm drinks... no need for straws)
-bandanas (can be used to keep jars from rattling together, to wrap around hot or cold drinks in mason jars, to wrap up cookies, bagels or other bulk treats, to wrap up dirty sporks, as napkins- or to wrangle my hair)
-3 sporks (baby size = compact, but not too small. they came in a 3 pack, so i guess mr. tribe and i will share)
-all in a cloth bag...and kept between the front seats
when used in tandem with our fast food cheat sheet, this should provide a more than satisfactory alternative to less nutritious and more waste producing choices.
(up until now i've resisted purchasing items to aid my zero-waste efforts, because in most cases there are alternatives already in my house. i've resisted making a car kit, because there is usually a way to get creative about waste...or to just refuse it. well, now i'm going to try this. :) each of us owns and carries a klean kanteen, but we girls like to keep ours just for water (mr. tribe uses one only for coffee), because we feel that the silicone ring in the cap retains some coffee flavor. i have used a regular lid on my mason jar up until now, but have ended up with coffee milk or tea all over me in the car (when the liquid sloshes onto the closed lid, it drips off the lid when opened). the cuppows will not be spill proof, but will aid a differently clean drinking experience. :) i chose bpa-free plastic, because i don't want hot metal on my mouth. i've thought of buying vintage regular cutlery to carry with me, but these are smaller, lighter in weight, available locally, and provide both spoon and fork functions. i chose plastic instead of bamboo, because reviewers mentioned splinters and breakage in the bamboo. i figured that the plastic would stand up to soaking better than bamboo, if necessary. hopefully these products will be useful in function and will replace the use of many, many disposable counterparts...justifying their purchase.)
love,
jane
-3 mason jars (mr. tribe already takes two bottles) these can be used at a coffee shop, to split a smoothie, to get frozen yogurt, or to hold anything else
-3 cuppows + metal rings (work for smoothies or warm drinks... no need for straws)
-bandanas (can be used to keep jars from rattling together, to wrap around hot or cold drinks in mason jars, to wrap up cookies, bagels or other bulk treats, to wrap up dirty sporks, as napkins- or to wrangle my hair)
-3 sporks (baby size = compact, but not too small. they came in a 3 pack, so i guess mr. tribe and i will share)
-all in a cloth bag...and kept between the front seats
when used in tandem with our fast food cheat sheet, this should provide a more than satisfactory alternative to less nutritious and more waste producing choices.
(up until now i've resisted purchasing items to aid my zero-waste efforts, because in most cases there are alternatives already in my house. i've resisted making a car kit, because there is usually a way to get creative about waste...or to just refuse it. well, now i'm going to try this. :) each of us owns and carries a klean kanteen, but we girls like to keep ours just for water (mr. tribe uses one only for coffee), because we feel that the silicone ring in the cap retains some coffee flavor. i have used a regular lid on my mason jar up until now, but have ended up with coffee milk or tea all over me in the car (when the liquid sloshes onto the closed lid, it drips off the lid when opened). the cuppows will not be spill proof, but will aid a differently clean drinking experience. :) i chose bpa-free plastic, because i don't want hot metal on my mouth. i've thought of buying vintage regular cutlery to carry with me, but these are smaller, lighter in weight, available locally, and provide both spoon and fork functions. i chose plastic instead of bamboo, because reviewers mentioned splinters and breakage in the bamboo. i figured that the plastic would stand up to soaking better than bamboo, if necessary. hopefully these products will be useful in function and will replace the use of many, many disposable counterparts...justifying their purchase.)
love,
jane
