How Does Food Fit In?
In accepting an "anti-garbage" lifestyle, you're going to have to make some changes in your diet. You do not have to become a vegetarian as I am, but you'll have to readjust your meat consumption, which will be healthier for you in the long run anyway. Buy meat over the counter as coldcuts and see if you can reuse a bag or container. Some delies prepare cooked chicken, which can be placed in cardboard containers. My deli even has soups or stews. But it's up to you to find out. There may even be meat in all-plastic, recyclable packages. However, the less waste you make, the more you're helping the planet.
Getting Over Bad Addictions
In the past three months, I've "given up" a lot in terms of food. Near the end of July I announced that I was going vegan(no meat, no dairy), and within two weeks I was. After that, I started getting unnatural sugars and chemicals out of my diet, and then additives and preservatives. September had been dedicated to lessenning my packaged food kick and adopting this new lifestyle. It wasn't all that hard. With a more balanced diet, there weren't any cravings. However, these are just my personal beliefs, made upon by personal experiences. I have four other people living in my house who eat tortilla chips and Rice Krispie treats and Nutri-Grain bars, but I've never even been tempted to participate because I knew it was wrong. Now, there are some things you buy that have to be packaged in plastic, like CD's, movies, and other technological stuff. But if you want to make it happen, you can. If you want to make your friends and family aware of this situation, please, don't yell and accuse them of ruining the world. Tell them, calmly, how you feel. It may even help if you print all this stuff up and give it to them to read. But if they don't want to change, don't get discouraged. The best way for you to convince someone to better themselves is by example. Be proud and do what you think is right.
Tips While Shopping
