Plastic Waste Challenge February

Having stumbled upon Fakeplasticfish I decided I wanted to take the plastic challenge. Simply put I wanted to see what we throw away in plastic waste for a year. I started this in February. Some of the plastic (I am sure there'll be more) I wouldn't normally assemble. But since I am in the process of setting up an emergency kit I'll have a bit more in the way of unrecyclable plastic. The questions that follow are directly from fakeplasticfish's site.


Food
Ketchup bottle (not recyclable in my area, a #7)
cheese wrappers
frozen blueberry bag
flax meal bag
milk bottle tops
soba noodle bag
ziplock bag

Mail/shipping
Tape from a box
several plastic envelope windows
packing slip envelope
Chase fake gift card

Misc.
Empi bag for electrodes
 sunglasses containers clamshell packaging
9 plastic covers for things like toothbrush, sharpie pen, scissors (all for first aid kit)
 random plastic bags

Total weight: 7 3/4 oz or 220g
Total items: 40 (including all envelope windows)


What items can I replace with plastic free or less plastic? 

Ketchup bottle. I plan to make my own this summer when the tomatoes are rolling me over. The cheese and the blueberry bags I can do without. I am working on cheese making to supplement and reduce the plastic there. I can't seem to find any cheese that doesn't come in giant wheels that is wax wrapped. The soba noodles I can buy in bulk and have been. This bag was from my mother who didn't like the noodles.

What items would I be willing to give up if a plastic free alternative doesn't exist?

Most of what I have isn't from any product that comes in plastic. Just household essentials or stuff for the emergency kit.

How many of these items are from "convenience" foods that I could make from scratch?  


None, well if you count cheese as a convenience food then I guess one, but I am working on that.

What Items are essential and do not have a plastic alternative?

None.

What changes might be necessary to reduce my plastic consumption?

Really get on the junk mail delivery. I hate all the crap plastic windows that show up. I did the recent push to get off the junk mail lists, now I have to see what happens with that.

What one plastic item am I willing to give up or replace this week?


Since none of these items are essential I am going to say nothing here.

Are there any other conclusions I can draw? 


I'd say we did really well. Much room for improvement, I plan on going through preserve to get our toothbrushes that should eliminate at least 2 useless plastic pieces every 3 months. I need to make constant choices when out in public or purchasing things. I think knowing what I know about plastic now will keep me "awake" instead of a mindless shopper.