My Plastic Free Journey

Twelve years ago, I became a mother. Having a baby changed me in more ways than I could have prepared for. It gave me sleepless nights, depleted my social circle and strangely enough, even increased my shoe size! But most of all, it made me wonder at the miracle of life and slowly awakened a desire to leave this world a better place for generations to come.

Whereas earlier I never bothered too much about what I ate, how clean the air around me was or how my garbage was disposed; with the arrival of my precious little girl, I now found myself becoming conscious about these things. Most of them seemed to be too big (climate change), too far (melting glaciers), or not really my problem (If I do all this, what’s the government going to do?).

So I decided to work on the things that were within my control. We switched almost entirely to organic vegetables, groceries, personal products and cosmetics. I became passionate about the environment and started teaching gardening at the Waldorf school where my daughter studied. I even wrote a children’s book on an environmental theme.

Soon, I started making fabric softener, used areetha (soap-nuts) in the washing machine and made my very own deodorant. I got rid of all my Teflon cooking-ware and most of my plastic jars and switched to cast iron, stainless-steel and (mostly recycled) glass jars. I tried my best to carry cloth bags wherever I went. We switched to stainless-steel water bottles and dabbas as far as possible. I pursued the Managing Committee at my housing society to start a natural vegetable patch. Other volunteers ensured that we started segregating garbage and composting. I found composting at home hugely satisfying and my plants thrived. Wet wipes and bin liners were banned at my place. We even switched to natural-fibre dish cleaners and cloth swipes. While my husband and domestic help were dazed and bemused with all the changes; I was happy to have done my bit for the environment and often gave myself a pat on the back.

The school I worked at was very supportive. We started initiatives like Recycle Thursdays (Children bring in their recyclable stuff from home which we sell to a raddi-wala. The funds support our school garden) and a Gardening Club where parents do gardening and other activities such as making natural floor cleaners and hand-washes. Organic Wednesdays was another initiative where an organic vendor came and sold fruits and veggies to parents but we had to discontinue the practise due to logistical issues.

None of the above came without challenges; but I was mostly satisfied with all the work I had done to save the planet.

The one thing that kept bursting my beautiful organic bubble was a little nagging voice inside me; for I knew that while I was ensuring the health of my family with all my organic purchases, I was also responsible for the overwhelming plastic problem as most of the products I bought came packaged in plastic jars and packets!

Even my organic vegetable vendor was unable to comply with my request to send all my veggies only in paper as his customers insisted on plastic packaging. It was the same with groceries. And it was a perfect Catch 22 – buy loose products from local vendors and risk the chemicals and pesticides they came laced with; or continue to buy organic in plastic packaging. So I ignored the little nagging voice and went back to my comfort zone.

This went on for quite a while until I recently joined a group on Facebook called Zero Waste Lifestyle. Sharing stories and asking for advice helped me realise that a lot more was possible. Connecting with folks at The Happy Turtle also helped a great deal.

I started talking to a lot of people about Zero Waste. The school got involved and we started a Green Community. A few of us visited a waste segregation unit and that was when the message truly came home.

We had to stop using plastic now; not just reduce, not just recycle but REFUSE.

So for Plastic-Free July we organised a Zero Waste meeting at the school and even made ‘up-cycled’ shopping bags from old T-Shirts. I finally started my first batch of bio-enzyme, switched to a natural tooth powder and ordered bamboo toothbrushes! A Zero Waste store will hopefully open soon in Mumbai and some organic vendors have already started delivering plastic-free groceries and vegetables.

It’s a long road ahead. The glaciers won’t stop melting anytime soon; but the situation doesn’t seem as bleak as it did before. If we all put our hands, hearts and heads together, we can do this I’m sure; and that’s good enough for now.

About the Author:

Born and raised in Kolkata, and with work experience and living across India, Belgium, and Australia, Tannaz has worked in various social enterprises. She currently resides in Mumbai. Tannaz always had a passion for creativity and sustainability. She has written a children’s book called One Night in the Sunderbans and has founded Kokopelli’s Song – a space to explore a more holistic relationship with nature. She also manages the Green Community at a Waldorf School in Mumbai. Tannaz currently offers workshops and training programmes in Organic Gardening, Biodynamic Farming, Music, Oral Storytelling, Cooperative Games and subjects related to Waldorf Education and Sustainability. Her Plastic Footprint is 2.24 Kilos per year.
Follow her venture Kokopelli’s Song on facebook.