Page 178 - How to Be a Conscious Eater - Making Food Choices That Are Good for You

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#STOPSUCKING

ur decades-long relationship with single-use plastics—
straws, lids, bags, take-out containers, bottles, stirrers,
Osingle-serving snack packs—now seems rather abu-
sive. Like a one-night stand, we get our quick fix, then kick
the poor thing to the curb, paying its later whereabouts little
mind. So, it’s time for a breakup. If, like me, you’ve ever made
a pros and cons list to drum up the courage to call it off with
someone you know isn’t right for you (sure, that high school
boyfriend was cute and smart, but rude to my friends and way
too clingy . . . ), now seems like a good time to practice the old
two-column tally.

PROS FOR USING SINGLE-USE PLASTICS:
Convenience. Ziplock sandwich bags sure are handy during the
morning rush out the door, as are disposable stirrers when you
don’t have a spoon for the milk in your coffee, as are plastic
take-out containers when you’ve got screaming kids in the
backseat and need dinner to-go.

Portion control. For items like yogurt, bottled beverages, trail mix,
chips, or other snacks, single-serving containers or packs help
us consume only a healthy amount in one sitting.

Low impact on your budget. A whole crate of forty bottled waters
costs a mere $4. Straws come free with your smoothie. And
so on.

Light weight. Glass is a heavier vessel for any food or drink you’re
carting around in your backpack or purse.

Stuff that Comes from Factories 167

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