Beyond the Bubble

Plastic-Free July (Corona Edition), Part 5 – Reducing Demand

The vast majority of our clothes contain synthetic materials, i.e. plastics. If reducing plastic waste is your goal, limiting clothing containing synthetic fibers should be among your priorities. As with plastic materials in other parts of our lives, our approach with synthetic clothing should be (first) Reduce, (then) Reuse, and (last) recycle. This final post on Plastic-Free July suggests some options for responsible clothes shopping.

By Alison, 4 yearsAugust 2, 2020 ago

Plastic-Free July (Corona Edition), Part 4 – The Plastic We Wear

Since doing Zero-Waste Lent almost a year and a half ago, I haven’t bought many clothes – mainly because I was shocked to learn how resource intensive fabric production is. We wear a lot of plastics, and microplastic fibers from our synthetic clothes into our waterways, oceans, and our food. This week we examine eco-friendly alternatives when it comes to fabrics.

By Alison, 4 yearsJuly 26, 2020 ago

Plastic-Free July (Corona Edition), Part 3 – Shopping and Cooking

In an attempt to limit my personal demand for plastics and keep those items out of the waste stream, I’ve cut back on takeout and delivery food as much as possible. Now that I’m cooking more, I’ve tried to turn first to what we’ve already got stashed in the back of the cupboards before shopping – and that has been an eye-opening experience.

By Alison, 4 yearsJuly 19, 2020 ago

Plastic-Free July (Corona Edition), Part 2 – Takeout and Delivery

Back in the Before Times when I could buy in bulk with my own containers or use reusable mugs at coffee shops, zero-waste challenges were a comparative piece of cake. Plastic-Free July is just one of many things that has been made harder by the presence of the novel coronavirus. Here are some of the decisions I’ve made that take health and waste into account.

By Alison, 4 yearsJuly 12, 2020 ago

Plastic-Free July (Corona Edition), Part 1 – Setting the Stage

It is July once again, and I am reviving a challenge I gave myself this time last year: to participate in Plastic Free July. Of course, the global pandemic has led to a steep increase in single-use plastics and zero-contact transactions, making last year’s game plan effectively useless. This year I’ll see where I can make environmentally-friendly choices while still staying safe.

By Alison, 4 yearsJuly 5, 2020 ago

Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, Part 3 – Embracing Uncertainty

I did not want this series of posts to be just another white narrative in the time when we should be lifting minority voices. However, I do see the value in sharing my personal journey as a roadmap for others who aren’t sure where to start, as well as for holding myself accountable to anyone who is reading. This series is only a starting point.

By Alison, 4 yearsJune 28, 2020 ago

Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, Part 2 – Leveraging Privilege

I recognize I live a privileged life, and my current position has been supported by racial biases. However, the hesitance to discuss that privilege and personally-held biases presents a huge obstacle in breaking down structures that prevent progress toward social equity. This post is a public examination of the racial narratives I absorbed when I was young and how they have persisted throughout my life.

By Alison, 5 yearsJune 21, 2020 ago

Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, Part 1 – Admitting it is the First Step

It’s a subject we’ve been taught not to talk about. But in avoiding conversations on race and the privilege that comes with it, we can’t examine or change any biases we hold. I don’t consider myself to be particularly progressive, but I am incredibly privileged. And for that reason I decided to join a discussion group on the subject of White Fragility.

By Alison, 5 yearsJune 14, 2020 ago

June 2020 Election Guide (Corona Edition), Part 2

Primaries have historically-low voter turnout as compared to general elections, and the current global pandemic is not helping. Pennsylvanians have the option of mailing in their ballots, but how many will participate? Many voters don’t care, and those who do don’t engage elected officials effectively. How do we cut through our apathy and/or channel our passion to affect real change in the political sphere?

By Alison, 5 yearsMay 17, 2020 ago

June 2020 Election Guide (Corona Edition), Part 1

This time every year, I’m usually feeling fired up about my well-researched and carefully-selected candidates. It could be the isolation or the lack of inspiring options, but I’m very unenthusiastic about the upcoming PA primary. I will still vote, but I imagine others may not. Here we examine some of the factors that could contribute to very low voter turnout this June.

By Alison, 5 yearsMay 10, 2020 ago

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