tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post7917478080508315606..comments2024-02-20T04:43:47.934-08:00Comments on Eco-novice: 10 Goals for Decreased Plastic Use & WasteBetsy Escandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-26481828428805653712011-08-09T09:34:50.035-07:002011-08-09T09:34:50.035-07:00A friend of mine just made a batch of yogurt using...A friend of mine just made a batch of yogurt using her crock pot. She said it turned out great!monkeyberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04480846590660253090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-59531795667067075432011-04-21T11:13:38.158-07:002011-04-21T11:13:38.158-07:00Larisa, Yes I don't consider the glass milk bo...Larisa, Yes I don't consider the glass milk bottles waste because they are rinsed out and reused by the same company over and over again (WAY less energy than recycling). Paper cartons are also lined with plastic. I don't know what kind. I'm not sure which plastic is preferred -- gallon plastic bottles, or lining of paper cartons.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-17102909284248494062011-04-21T10:39:09.225-07:002011-04-21T10:39:09.225-07:00A couple of questions about the milk containers--d...A couple of questions about the milk containers--do you not consider the glass bottles waste because you return or reuse them? Are paper cartons of milk better than plastic? Our Trader Joe's doesn't carry milk in plastic bottles (except for whole gallons); we usually get the half-gallon cartons.Larisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-59145500229334673322011-03-14T10:10:53.471-07:002011-03-14T10:10:53.471-07:00Depending on how you use the big plastic bags, you...Depending on how you use the big plastic bags, you may be able to re-use the plastic liner bags from the cereal instead. I really like them for freezing food--just fold over the end and put a rubber band around to hold it closed. (Our mail has a rubber band around it every day, so we have tons of those!)'Beccahttp://articles.earthlingshandbook.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-9198938709611165732011-03-10T19:45:34.772-08:002011-03-10T19:45:34.772-08:00I don't have a good replacement for big plasti...I don't have a good replacement for big plastic ziploc bags (especially in the freezer, where they hold homemade bread and vegetable scraps), so I just keep washing them out and reusing. I know I will probably have to buy a new box in the next few years, but it's better than nothing.<br /><br />My biggest tip for cutting down plastic is one you're already doing: make more things yourself. It does take time, but cooking from scratch saves so much packaging waste. I shop mostly from the bulk bins now because I've weaned myself off most packaged foods. Good luck! It sounds like you're doing great!Jenniferhttp://noteasytobegreen.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-9526326548979159662011-03-10T19:42:58.533-08:002011-03-10T19:42:58.533-08:00I use Pyrex and glass jars in place of large ziplo...I use Pyrex and glass jars in place of large ziploc bags. I also save bread bags and the liners from cereal to use in place of the bags.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583524755306491510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-35147272327410549662011-03-08T17:55:03.849-08:002011-03-08T17:55:03.849-08:00Great suggestions, Heather! I will be sharing wit...Great suggestions, Heather! I will be sharing with the class (hopefully) very soon on the gallon bags. I will check out the Soulemama yogurt post ASAP. I also make granola (my recipe is somewhere on this blog), but we like to put it on top of cereal and yogurt, not eat it plain with milk, although maybe we should work on that...Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-23268975620296970292011-03-08T17:51:48.790-08:002011-03-08T17:51:48.790-08:00Oh, and regarding the cereal comment -- I felt the...Oh, and regarding the cereal comment -- I felt the same way and started making granola. I bought huge Ball jars at ACE and if I put some of the bigger seeds (i.e. pumpkin) in the food processor first, the kids are none the wiser. Extra cinnamon and honey help. ;)Heatherhttp://thedabblerpresents.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-83847501396934468632011-03-08T17:50:09.839-08:002011-03-08T17:50:09.839-08:00When you find a substitute for those blasted large...When you find a substitute for those blasted large ziploc bags, please share with the class! Also, you really don't need a yogurt maker! I recently tried Amanda Blake Soule's technique on the Soulemama.com blog which only requires a heating pad and some towels to keep everything warm -- it kept the yogurt at the right temperature perfectly! (Plus I got to make as much as I wanted, without worrying about a yogurt maker's quantity restrictions.)Heatherhttp://thedabblerpresents.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com