We have been called to last minute meetings, been running from one end of town to the other for appointments, and trying to stay on top of our work responsibilities. All of this running around really made us realize how much convenience plays into our busy everyday lives. I thought I would share some tips and ways that I handled being away from the house and still trying to be environmentally conscious at the same time!
I walked out the door without my reusable straw on more than one occasion (like these, here). This is a simple fix - I simple don't use straws when I grab a drink to go. At restaurants, I ask the server to not bring straws to the table. I have also started asking for "no lids" on my drinks when I go through a drive-thru. This takes a bit more responsibility on my part - to not be the clumsy person I usually am. I am much more careful when drinking in the car.
I also take my own cup with me, whenever possible. Rtic is my favorite brand of stainless steel cups, like these. I also frequent restaurants that will allow me to use my own cup instead of wasting a disposable one.
I have made several unplanned trips to the grocery store this week - and have left my reusable bags at home. Luckily, my local grocery store, Kroger, has paper bags. I always ask for paper bags instead of plastic in these kinds of situations. The other store I shop at, Costco, does not place your items in plastic bags, but reuses the boxes that their inventory comes in. When I stop at a convenience store and only have a few things, or am taking my purchases directly to the car, I just carry everything to the car instead of placing them in a plastic bag.
When ordering food at a fast food restaurant, I opt out of plastic ware if I can avoid it or if I am heading home, where I can use my own flatware.
I have an SUV, and keep a tote of supplies in there in case I walk out the door without some of my essentials; things like extra reusable bags, an extra cup or two, extra reusable straws, etc.
