Introduction:

After tracking my spending for two weeks I was ready to track for another week, this time with more awareness and intention! This experience holds a lot of value and I encourage people to give it a try. With the holidays right around the corner I think I will continue this practice and really track what I spend over the month of December (on food, gifts, donations, etc.). In our house we always try to limit what we spend, but have never actually tracked all aspects of the holiday season. By extending this journalling task I feel like will really consider what I buy, who I buy for and needs vs wants vs luxury. By writing down what I have learned and what I plant to do I feel more accountable to move forward with my next steps!

October 29-November 4 “Spending Journal”:

–Monday, October 29– No Starbucks today! I made my own coffee!! I used my Keurig machine, BUT not a K-cup. I used coffee from home and brewed it in a reusable “pod”. There can be SO much waste involved with using these single cup machines. I’ve been using my reusable pod for months and it works like a charm! I used coffee from Starbucks to make my own coffee!

Safeway- Weekly grocery run (again…no single use plastic bags used). I also purchased Halloween treats. Halloween treats is something I really struggled with this year. I think about the waste produced during the holidays each year, but this year it was really on my mind. I felt so torn. I wanted to have a zero waste option for treats, but wasn’t sure what that could be. I decided to buy peanut free ‘treats’ such as cookies and fruit snacks. I know that there is still waste from the plastic/foil packaging, but I thought that it was less packaging than mini chocolate bars or small candy. I brought the boxes to school for our Halloween “maker space day”. What is a better option for Halloween-one that still includes participating by giving a ‘treat’? I’d love to hear people’s suggestions. I miss the days of giving money for Unicef! Luckily we only got 13 kids, so we didn’t have to buy a lot of snacks.

While I was shopping I tried to buy fewer groceries and use what we already had in the cupboard. Being an organized shopper can help reduce purchasing doubles or triples of the same products. If you plan for the week then you can also purchase with intent instead of buying on a whim because you are hungry! I really noticed how as a society we focus more on convenience more than anything else. We pay extra to have an employee cut up fruit, vegetables, cheese, etc. so we don’t have to do it ourselves. I can understand this, but now food that didn’t require plastic packaging has been put into a plastic storing container. I honestly don’t even know if these can be recycled.

I did remember to bring my mesh bags for fruit/vegetables. That is one things I forget to do a lot of the time. How many of those clear, plastic bags get tossed as soon as the groceries get unpacked? I at least use mine for dog “waste” bags-but I shouldn’t be using them at all.

What I need to do is buy more things in bulk. Many bulk food stores are encouraging you to bring in your own containers such as Bulk Barn’s Reusable Container Program. This is going to be my next step!

So Monday’s grocery shopping wasn’t just a regular run in, grab a few things and go home process like it usually is! I need to be better at shopping with intent and making sure that I get what I want and need so no food gets thrown out. I reluctantly admit that we throw food out. I am embarrassed by that. Better organization with shopping/cooking will make positive changes for the earth, my wallet and my tummy!

Tuesday, October 30– Acupuncture appointment. *Pre-purchased visit

Wednesday, October 31– For our Halloween “party” today I allowed treats that were “as healthy and as waste free as possible”. None of the students brought in candy bags or juice boxes. We had a few homemade treats and the kids drank from their reusable water bottles. I am pleased with the student and parent support with this endeavour.

October 31 was also the final day for our “WALK-tober: Walking School Bus”. Our goal was to encourage more students to walk to school instead of being dropped off when they live within walking distance. The best way to encourage the students was to join them! To celebrate one month of walking to school (we had about 15 regular walkers) we offered a snack of homemade muffins, oranges and bananas. Baking saved on packaging and homemade always taste better! The downfall…another reminder that we haven’t started a compost at school. One thing at a time I guess, but a school compost needs to become a priority at some point.

Thursday, November 1– Today was “Outdoor Classroom Day” at school. I purchased Starbucks for the two other teachers spending the whole day outside with the students. I brought ALL of us a reusable cup! At first I thought that this might be considered as weird or strange, but the staff knows me. They see me with my reusable cups all the time, so they accepted their hot drinks without complaint. AND if there was judgement, they kept it to themselves!!

During the Outdoor Classroom Day, one of the activities was a community walk. With the first group (grade 5/6) we walked down a street that was under construction. We noticed an ENORMOUS amount of garbage in that area. When we took the second group (grade 3/4) we brought bags to pick the garbage up. There were hundreds of pieces of garbage littered all over the street, sidewalk and area that had been dug up. The students were outraged at what we saw. Our neighbourhood is usually pretty clean and this area was looking like an actual dump. I Tweeted out a photograph and Take Pride Winnipeg (@TakePrideWpg) commented on our clean up! A few people came out of their home to thank us. We actually had to get two more garbage bags from one of the residents because we had filled ours up.

One of the big things that the students noticed/commented on (as we were treating this as a spontaneous mini inquiry project) was that there weren’t any garbage (or recycling) containers at this construction site. People would need to care enough to bring their trash home and dispose of it properly. Clearly, this was NOT happening. Another HUGE disappointment to the students was that there were so many coffee cups amongst the litter. “Adults should know better. They are always blaming the kids, but kids don’t drink coffee. I’m telling my parents to stop buying coffee and make it at home instead. If I see one more coffee cup on the ground I’m going to scream” (Grade 4 student). One of the most interesting things to me is: with all the advertising companies do on their products we know exactly where the litter is coming from. Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s were the brands of coffee that were being carelessly tossed. McDonald’s offers $1 drinks several times per year. Why not offer those deals to people bringing reusable cups?! Tim Horton’s has their “Roll Up The Rim” promotion (which isn’t evening happening now and there were still so many of their cups on our street). Even if you bring your own cup you have to get one of the their cups in order to have an opportunity to win a prize. Why are the people who want to do something environmental being forced to make a decision about whether or not they should go against their ideals to have a chance at a prize. Maybe you only have a chance at the prize when you use a reusable cup?! Why is consuming hot beverages from cups that are not recyclable so widely accepted in our society. It made me think of Tim Jackson (2006) and his focus on “what government agencies can do to facilitate a wider public shift towards reduced consumption. Governments need to create a policy framework that both encourages people to break their existing consumption habits and penalizes wasteful consumption…” (Mulligan p. 45-46).

Friday, November 2– I was not at school today because I had a conference to go to. I ended up at Starbucks again (after doing well with making my own coffee for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) but I brought my own cup AND an extra for my colleague just in case she forgot hers (which she did!). She appreciated my thoughtfulness and plans on making a change herself. *I would also like to point out that early in the week a different colleague commented on my $2.00 reusable Starbucks cup. I got one for her and she has used it each day since!! We went for lunch on Friday as well. We chose to go to a restaurant that prides themselves on using local ingredients.

Saturday, November 3– I had a “No Spend Saturday”. This was pretty easy because I was busy with schoolwork, but also since I was at home all day I was tempted to do some online shopping. I talked myself out of making any purchases because a) I wanted to have a day where I didn’t purchase anything AND b) I didn’t actually need anything. I ate leftover soup that I had made earlier in the week (which made for quick meals during the week and was healthy and tasty).

Sunday, November 4– The only purchase I made was a coffee on the way to the airport to meet a friend, and the cost to park at the airport. Overall I was pretty successful at not spending much and instead consuming what I already had at home this weekend!

Things of Note from Part 2 of journalling:

• I had a lot of different thoughts and ideas this week. I thought I would choose one area to focus on, but instead there ended up being many different things to note and consider.
• I was more open about my concerns and ideas and people were receptive and even willing to make changes themselves. I’m ready for my views on consumerism to be heard and my ideas to inspire others to make simple but effective changes.
• I have work to do! Responsible grocery shopping is going to be a real focus for me. The choices I make for my household can/will impact “the hide costs of hyperconsumption” (Mulligan p. 36). Better planning and intent will result in less plastic in my purchases-which has to take priority.

FInal Thoughts: 

1. I practice the 6Rs (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Respect, Repeat) but also really like these 8Rs!
2. I have some decisions to make about Christmas. If I want change to happen then it needs to start with me. Some ideas that have come up from this process are: keeping a spending journal, buying fewer material gifts and more experiences for gifts, using paper that can be recycled or cover gifts with things such as towels that can just be put back in the drawer (the fun part is the surprise, who cares what the wrapping looks), making an effort to buy local, considering the needs of others instead of the wants that I have (especially with my students. Last year two students bought gifts in my honour-a scarf for a homeless person and a donation made in my name for a local charity. They did this because they knew me well and knew how I would appreciate that as a gift. Maybe I let parents know that. It is always very awkward when students bring in teacher gifts at Christmas. They do it because they “should” and because they want to, but honestly I don’t need anything) and making the holidays about being together instead of gifts.
3. I’ve really enjoyed this process. I spent a lot of time scrolling through Instagram finding posts that resonated with me and connected with the points I was trying to make. The required reading and supplemental material was helpful to make connections as well.
4. We can all ask ourselves this question…

Until Next Time,

Danielle

Citations:

Mulligan, M. (2018) An Introduction to Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Personal Perspectives. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Bulk Barn: Reusable Container Program: http://www.bulkbarn.ca/Reusable-Container-Program/

Instagram Accounts:

@leafico

@least.waste

@woke.to.the.planet

Twitter Accounts:

@TakePrideWpg

@d_shrumm

 

Introduction:

For two weeks I have tracked my spending to help determine and understand my consumption habits and patterns. During this time I attempted to spend and consume as I normally do, but also pay attention to any sort of activity that may impact or prompt what I was purchase. Below are the “highlights” of what I noticed over this two week span!

October 15-28 “Spending Journal”:

–Monday, October 15-Friday, October 19  &  Monday, October 22-Friday, October 26– Starbucks Coffee. Yes. Now that I type this it seems like a LOT of coffee trips! I’d like to put a few things into context about my Starbucks visits!

*I ALWAYS bring my reusable cup. No cup…no coffee!

*I realize that I do NOT need coffee from Starbucks. I’m just trying to be honest about by consumption!

*Although I realize that buying my coffee from a smaller, local place of business is better I do think Starbucks makes somewhat of an effort to social responsibility and sustainability

–Monday, October 15– Acupuncture appointment. *Pre-purchased visit

Yoga *Pre-purchased classes

–Wednesday, October 17– 90 minute Massage

Yoga *Pre-purchased classes

–Friday, October 19– Yoga *Pre-purchased classes

Sobey’s- Supper groceries (brought my own bag!)

Outdoor furniture for the deck (balance that was owed). We ordered new furniture for our deck-all made from recycled milk jugs! Interested in learning more?! Check out the C.R. Plastic Products website

–Sunday, October 21– Breakfast at a local Winnipeg restaurant

Yoga *Pre-purchased classes

Safeway- Weekly grocery run (again…no single use plastic bags used)

–Monday, October 22– Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues game *Pre-purchased tickets

Dinner at the Jets game *No single use cutlery used

–Wednesday, October 24– Subway Lunch (no drink = no straw!)

When I do use a straw I make a conscious effort to use my own stainless steel straw. I love that it came with a little brush to clean it. I often carry it in my purse…just in case I need it!

Yoga *Pre-purchased classes

–Thursday, October 25– Facial

–Friday, October 26– Domino’s Pizza for supper

–Saturday, October 27– Latte & Scone from my favourite local bakery

Sunday, October 28– Yoga fundraiser: “Holidays for the Homeless”. The proceeds from the 200 tickets sold will go to getting coffee, female hygiene products, toques and lunches for 500 people on December 21!! Everything from breakfast to attendance prizes to location for the event are donated. It’s a great cause run by local Winnipeg philanthropist Amy Tung (@i_am_love_project). The downfall…too much waste from the donated breakfast (plastic spoon, small portions of a variety food that come in single use containers and everything comes in an oversized paper bag).

Consuming without purchasing:

Now…besides merely spending I also consumed things that other people purchased for me. A friend purchased a coffee for me and I drank it…out of the single use cup. This hurt. My friend knows that I only drink from reusable cups. When I purchase coffee for her I bring her a reusable cup too! I know she purchased for me out of kindness, but all I could think about was that cup 🙁 It reminds me of this recent post I saw from the Plastic Tides instagram account (@plastictides). I’ve been really bothered by this because I have allowed myself to think about stand not just push it to the back of my mind. Something needs to be done about the amount of single use coffee cups that are used on a daily basis.

Things of note from my “spending journal”:

• I pre-purchase Yoga classes because it is more cost effective. WELL it is more cost effective as long as I go regularly. My Yoga studio offers a variety of packages, but the one I use the best ‘deal’ as long as I go twice a week!
• I pre-purchase acupuncture appointments too. The clinic offers a pay for 7 sessions and receive the 8th for free! Again-this package is ideal for those people who require many visits.
• I spent money on services/experiences vs. ‘stuff’ (other than food)
• I go to Starbucks for coffee because I enjoy drinking it the most. My regular Starbucks employees actually expect me to being my own cup since I do each time (like to the point the barista has noticed when I’ve brought in a different cup!). I also choose Starbucks because they have a good rewards program. For every 125 stars I earn, I receive a free menu item. To prompt more visits, Starbucks has BONUS star offers such as “Double Star Days”, “Menu Challenges” , discounts after 2:00, etc. To be honest, on “Double Star Days” I purchase a latte instead of a regular coffee…because I get more points! These promotions are sent via e-mail so I always feel “in the loop”. They work for me and I’m sure for millions of other people. It makes me think that I NEED that latte even though I understand that it is a total want. Starbucks advertising and rewards program has definitely worked on me!
• I go to Yoga, massages and for facials all at different locations, but all are run by local Winnipeg women who are following their passion. I seek out small businesses and am loyal to these service providers because they love what they do and they go the extra step to get to know me. I don’t feel like a number at these places. That is important to me!
• The furniture we purchased was chosen very carefully! We wanted to buy something that was manufactured in Canada and from a small store (versus a chain store). We have a relationship with this store owner and enjoy doing business with him. We saved for the furniture by doing a “52 week savings plan” (we put cash aside each week and spend it on items we really want). We were able to pay cash for the furniture because of our effort to save for these types of expenditures. What we chose was more expensive than other furniture that we had seen, but it is also made from recycled milk jugs (which we are pretty excited about), it is built to last and requires minimal upkeep (can be left out all winter). When you factor this all in-the cost makes sense! C.R. Plastic Products uses an environmental approach to sell their products. This is appealing to many people looking for a small way to make a difference. I do wish that the furniture didn’t have to come from Ontario and was produced in Winnipeg by the place we bought it from. Although, things coming from Ontario to Manitoba is a lot better than being shipped from half way around the world.
• I don’t often go out for lunch. I did during this week because it was a “Forest Exploration Day” for me at school and it was very busy! I felt like I needed a break during the lunch hour. A coworker suggested Subway and that seemed like a great option. I didn’t get a drink because I was being mindful of the cup and straw. I realized too late that my sandwich was in a plastic bag.  I took my own bag and my coworker’s and used them to pick up after my dog-hoping that using the bags twice instead of once would make me feel better about taking it. It didn’t really, maybe a bit, but not enough. I’ll pay more attention next time!
• In general, I ate out more than I should have. For me, going out to eat seems to be more for social reasons than any other reason. The Domino’s was because I was meeting some friends and that’s what they chose (I had never actually ordered from there before) and the breakfast was because it was part of our “date day”.  We could have easily made our own food at home, but it feels like such a treat to order in or go out with friends and family. How can I make the best choices when socializing with friends and family? This will be something to consider for the future!
• The local bakery I go to is one of many businesses that use The Local Frequency card. When you shop at these businesses and use the card you get “money” that you can use to spend at these same businesses. There is an app you can use instead of carrying the actual card. You get 1-3% of your purchase back to spend using the card/app. You can also load the card with “Frequency Dollars” and earn more money on your purchases as you spend them (up to 20%). It’s a neat approach to “keeping it local”!
  

  My Local Frequency card!

Final Thoughts:

1. Tracking what I spent made me feel guilty in some ways, but also reminded me that I make a decent effort to make a difference-even if the difference seems small
2. There is always room for improvement! I need to be more vocal with my beliefs and spread my ideas with others. I sometimes assume that other people know what they can do to make a difference, yet choose not to and it turns out to be completely different! More often than not these people hadn’t even thought about the significance of their choice. I can be gentle with my approach, but be more vocal about suggestions for positive choices. Leading by example has allowed for some success but I’m ready to lead more people into environmental stewardship!
3. It is time to revaluate my personal goals. Yes I have created some good habits such as only using reusable cups and bags, saying NO to straws, cutting down on single use plastic utensils (by refusing, using my own bamboo utensils and washing and reusing when possible) and buying local, but these have been habits for a long time. What are own my next steps? How will I put what I have read in Mulligan’s “An Introduction to Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Personal Perspectives” as well as what I have learned from the supplementary materials and other students into practice? I will continue on my journey of ethical consumption “a values-based approach to purchase and consumption which puts the onus on the consumer to exercise his or her choice wisely” (Mulligan p. 42) and voluntary simplicity “effort to live with less as a result of a conscious decision to avoid waste or complexity in life” (Mulligan p.43).

While reading through the supplemental material I’ve decided to use Anup Shah’s Consumption and Consumerism article to guide me to my next steps.

“We consume a variety of resources and products today having moved beyond basic needs to include luxury items and technological innovations to try to improve efficiency. Such consumption beyond minimal and basic needs is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, as throughout history we have always sought to find ways to make our lives a bit easier to live. However, increasingly, there are important issues around consumerism that need to be understood. For example:

• How are the products and resources we consume actually produced?
• What are the impacts of that process of production on the environment, society, on individuals?
• What are the impacts of certain forms of consumption on the environment, on society, on individuals?
• Which actors influence our choices of consumption?
• Which actors influence how and why things are produced or not?
• What is a necessity and what is a luxury?
• How do demands on items affect the requirements placed upon the environment?
• How do consumption habits change as societies change?
• Businesses and advertising are major engines in promoting the consumption of products so that they may survive. How much of what we consume is influenced by their needs versus our needs?
• Also influential is the very culture of today in many countries, as well as the media and the political institutions themselves. What is the impact on poorer nations and people on the demands of the wealthier nations and people that are able to afford to consume more?
• How do material values influence our relationships with other people?
• What impact does that have on our personal values?
• And so on.”

I am looking forward to Part 2 of this task as I shift something in my consumption habits and add a fresh perspective to my responsible consumerism journey!

Until Next Time,

Danielle

Citations:

Mulligan, M. (2018) An Introduction to Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Personal Perspectives. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Shah, Anup (January 5, 2014). Consumption and Consumerism. Global Issues: Social, Political, Economic and Environmental Issues That Affect Us All

http://www.globalissues.org/issue/235/consumption-and-consumerism 

Instagram Accounts:

@we_saveplanetearth

@ecoroots

@bambooherb

@cranbrookfarmersmarket

@plastictides