Karen Karen

Today I was parked in three different places.  First, a large plant nursery and garden store.  Second, a small farm in nearby Sammamish Valley, and, third, Costco, to visit my eye doctor!  I actually found the most wrappers and plastic on the small farm!! I was surprised, for sure.  Maybe we get so used to seeing clutter we miss the small things that can be properly taken care of so they don't end up in the water system, or any other place they don't belong.  My bag and gloves I now carry came in handy again (-:

Today was rest day.  I did trash pick up when walking the dog.  I also shopped PCC and purchased some new produce and bulk food bags to use when we can again do that.  I have been using green produce bags to store produce for many years and many are worn out.  I used this opportunity to add more to my collection.

While gone the trash day came and went and I found many miscellaneous pieces of plastic and trash that had missed the trash truck and fallen on the ground.  I also spent time washing all the ziploc bags, plastic containers, etc. from the hike on Wednesday and food I took on the overnight.

I was on my grand adventure for a sleepover at a friend's new home on the beach of Puget Sound.  The beach was pretty clean as it isn't a public beach.  I did find a few miscellaneous wrappers for snack bars.  In the evening we went into town for pizza and again, the parking lot was a treasure trove.  It is becoming fun to see it clean.

Today  I went and got a haircut.  The parking lot was a treasure trove of trash.   It was all clean when I left.  I find telling people I am involved in a "challenge" seems less threatening to them than saying it is wrong to throw out plastic trash.

I had the kids today.  I saved the plastic containers from their lunches and set them with the others I have collected.  We went for a hike, and packed snacks in used ziploc bags from the lunches, They have their own water bottles so no waste there.  The hike was long and we finished everything we took with us!!

I have been pondering the use of plastic containers during the Covid pandemic.  Because self serve bins are mostly not available, I have been washing and storing the plastic containers I am purchasing "bulk" items in.  I probably have enough to last the rest of my life,  I am finding many uses for them, allowing me to make second, third, fourth use of them.

I mentioned clean up after garbage pick  up day!  I found a lot just on my block, even a large piece of plastic wrap from a package. 

I am not shopping as frequently, limiting my trips to public places!   I do take jars and produce bags when I do shop.  I also have been using my own bags now that is allowed again.  
Picking up plastic has been interesting.  When I am home and only walk in my neighborhood area in Woodinville I do find plastic, but usually small pieces, or wrappers of snacks.  Yesterday I was in the Green Lake area of Seattle and found 12 pieces, wrappers, containers, straws, etc. just around my car!  I felt like I had hit the Mother Lode (-:  
Another time I have notices a lot of loose trash in on Garbage Pick Up day.  I am now walking with my "Grabbers" and a bag each day.  I will see what happens tonight as it is out pick up day  in the area I live.