The night before the no-plastic day, I had taken off my mattress cover, which was made of plastic. After waking up for class on the cold, bitter Tuesday, I started my non-plastic journey. I rolled out of bed and was going to take a shower. Oh wait...the lining in the shower is plastic. That's okay. It's cold outside and I can just wear a winter hat to cover my disgusting hair. I threw on a pair of socks, jeans, shirt, sweatshirt (which I had made sure did not have plastic coverings on the end of the strings), hiking shoes that were plastic free, and began to get ready for class.
I had my history class first in the morning, which usually requires me using my computer to take notes. So, I made the decision to try something new and take notes in my notebook with NOT A PEN (plastic cover) but with an old-school pencil. I hate these kind of pencils but I did not want to use a mechanical pencil made of that stupid plastic stuff. So, I gathered my schoolwork consisting of notebooks and crappy pencils. Next, I went for my bike...but wait! The brakes are made of plastic, my bike lock contains plastic, and my reflectors contain plastic. That idea goes out the window and I begin to walk quickly to Humanities building. I proceed to get to class with a few minutes to spare. I quickly scan the lecture hall for an open seat that does not contain plastic...not an easy task. I find an old wooden bench in the back and I set up shop there. As lecture begins, I realize that my cold hands could not write down all the notes that fast (luckily my history professor posts the notes online). I look around and look at all the computers with plastic cases, plastic bottles, and I start to wonder if this is a way of life we can all do. Class is over and I proceed to walk home to make some lunch.
When I get home, I get out a glass plate, metal fork, and fork some homemade spaghetti on my plat from my mom which was wrapped in some aluminum foil. I turn around to the microwave. PSYCH! Plastic. I turn to the oven. PSYCH! Plastic knobs. Hmmm...well I then resort to a banana I had bought as well as an apple. I want some water too. PSYCH! Plastic cups. So I just turned the sink on and tilted my head down for some water. Not my idea of a filling lunch to get me through the rest of the day. I proceed to sit on the couch and grab the plastic remote for the television. Not happening. I went to grab my ipod to listen to. Yep...you guessed it...plastic case. So I sat in solitude and ate my banana and apple on the couch. I then went into my roommate's room, vented about my frustrations, maybe shed a tear for all I know, and left in a whirlwind to my next class. It was time to head to my art class which I had feared all day. I had packed my sketch book (no plastic) and supplies bag (contains plastic but need it for every class for participation).
I walk into humanities and proceed to the elevator. You have to be kidding me...plastic buttons. I proceed to take the concrete stairs that lead all the way up to the sixth floor. I then enter the room and wait for my professor to show up. He gives us a lecture about perspective drawings and asks us to take out our sketch books and a pencil. Luckily I brought an ebony pencil (made without plastic). But wait...I had to use a drafting pencil for this exercise to make sure I was precise. There it was. I knew this would happen. It had all come down to this. I had to use this drafting pencil made of plastic. That's what got me. So I reluctantly grabbed my drafting pencil and proceeded with the exercise. I look around at the room, looking at all the plastic cups, bags, and other plastic art supplies and wonder to myself how can plastic consume our life to such a great extent.
After art class, I walked home to get some dinner. I got so frustrated with the challenge I said forget it. I got that spaghetti, stuck it in the microwave, and wolfed it down without thinking twice about using plastic. Although it was only for a couple hours, that was the hardest couple hours of my life. This challenge was certainly eye-opening as to how much plastic is around us. In fact, as of right now, I am typing this on my computer made of plastic, with a plastic case, with a plastic cup holding my pens and pencils by me, with my computer made of plastic, with my plastic drawers on my desk, with my clock made of plastic, with my computer mouse made of plastic, with my hard drive made of plastic, with my lamp made of plastic, with my computer cord containing plastic, with my air freshener made of plastic, with the scissors on my desk made of plastic, and with my desk drawers containing plastic too. It simply is outrageous as to how much plastic just by looking at my desk. I give credit to those people who are conscious about how much plastic they use. This challenge has made me become more conscious about plastic and how I need to start being more eco-friendly.
- Eric Gumm
- TA: Tiffany
-Section: Thursday 3:30 p.m.
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