Reality sets in

Before I began the M.I.N.I. Project, I envisioned myself carrying cloth bags with me everywhere, just in case I needed to pick up something at the store. I thought I would ride my bicycle everywhere. (I had even mapped out my 20 mile round trip commute to work to avoid freeways.) However, one month into the project, I am feeling disappointed in myself.

I do not prepare well enough (or have the energy) to jump on my bike and ride six miles to a store just because I forgot one item earlier. I find it difficult to remember to carry reusable bags. And, of course, I did not swap my car for a bike during my work commute.

I am happy to say that I have not bought any new clothing, but that is hardly much of a victory since I usually do not clothes shop for myself. The most environmentally friendly act I did was buy garbage bags made from recycled plastic.

I am more practiced in recycling, but I know I can do better in terms of using plastic at all. It is just that almost everything is wrapped in plastic. I even see people in the grocery store put bananas in a plastic bag. (I was with my sister-in-law in the grocery store once, and I saw her take the grapes, which were already bagged in plastic, out of the original plastic bag and place them in a fresh produce plastic bag. I was so shocked I said nothing to her.) As a habit now, I never bag up produce. That is something, I guess. It just seems like nothing.

But, that is what the M.I.N.I. project is, right? Small changes to make a big impact on climate change and the environment in general. My little city has a farmer's market every week. I am going to buy produce, milk and cheese there. I am also taking a cloth bag.

Goals for the next week:
1. Compost:  I am going to save coffee grounds, fruits and vegetable peelings. I do not have a yard, so I am going to save my food scraps and dump them in my dad's compost pile at the end of every week.
2. Canvas bags!:  no excuses anymore...I am going to bring my own bags or else no bag at all. I will not accept bags from the grocery store.
3.  Honey:  I use a lot of honey. My goal is to find a honey maker at the farmer's market and maybe get a reusable honey jar to refill every couple of weeks. (I also have a secret wish to become a beekeeper.)

I am going to keep reminding myself that every little bit helps. One less plastic bag matters. One trip to the store by way of my bicycle instead of my car does make a difference. Little acts can make a big impact.