Name: Amanda Battle
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: Junior
Major: (Pre-law) Political Science
Involvement on campus: President of the Bucknell Student Government, member of Alpha Chi Omega, attorney for the Bucknell Mock Trial Team.
Why did you choose to give up plastic for Lent?
My “little” in my sorority, Mishi Papich, has always hated how many plastic water bottles I would go through every day. So when Lent rolled around, we were brainstorming what I should give up and she immediately recommended I give up plastic water bottles. But that felt almost too easy — I really wanted a challenge because the whole point of Lent is to make a sacrifice. So, I declared I was giving up plastic for Lent, unclear of the details or just how challenging it would be.
What has been the hardest plastic item to go without?
Plastic silverware!!! On Bucknell’s campus, the only place you can get reusable silverware is in the Bostwick Marketplace, and I rarely eat there. So, I got creative. Giving up plastic forced me to be innovative. It’s hilarious how many times I ended up eating my chopped salad from the Commons or my Mac & Cheese Monday from the Bison with makeshift chopsticks using the wooden coffee stirrers. Eventually, all of dining workers on campus started hearing about my plastic ban and John Cummins, who directs the Bostwick Marketplace, placed a set of reusable silverware in the Bison for me to use. They still have the silverware available for me in The Bison today!
How has your daily routine changed?
Every meal and shopping experience suddenly was a challenge. Plastic really is EVERYWHERE! I figured out the rules as I went. For example, was I not allowed to use what I already owned? Many people loved to point out my phone case was plastic and so was my BUID. But that wasn’t the point of my Lent promise, and to give it up completely would have been impossible. So within a week, I figured out my own ground rules: I decided to not invest in new plastic for 40 days, or simply to use the least amount of plastic in any given choice I was faced with where I couldn’t avoid it. Cardboard cups quickly became my best friend. Most drinks I wanted to consume I could drink in a cardboard cup at the Bison, but drinking anything other than coffee at the Commons was difficult. I used a lot of reusable cups, mugs, and bottles. And I learned how to be communicative about my sustainability initiative. It turns out the Bison and Commons workers can and will put your food on plates if you ask. They might not be super excited about it always, but I discovered that you could get your quinoa bowl on a paper plate and your smoothie in a cardboard cup. In fact, 7th Street Cafe even has chinaware! In addition, I also learned to be a more mindful shopper since I had to bring my own reusable bag (and I only had one). Knowing that I have one bag to carry my purchases from the store, I had to limit the items I bought and be mindful to ensure any goods I purchased were as plastic-free as I could find.
What changes have you made that you want to make permanent, if any?
I think from now on I will ask for my iced coffees in cardboard cups. There really is no reason for a plastic cup with a plastic straw! It can be awkward at first to ask for it in the cardboard cup, but once you order it that way once, it’s no longer awkward. This entire “project” became a fun initiative that other people began to rally behind. I engaged in so many informative and inspiring conversations about my plastic ban. I must admit that Starbucks was the most supportive place of my plastic ban! They even would allow me to get my iced coffees in mugs if I was drinking them at the coffee shop. Another change I’ll likely always make is to get my smoothies from the Bison in a cardboard cup. You actually get more smoothie for your money since it’s a bigger cup, and it’s a simple fix to an otherwise plastic filled experience with the cup, lid, and straw!
What would you encourage your readers to do after reading this article?
The EASIEST piece of plastic you can give up is a plastic lid! Since giving up plastic, I have zero desire or need for a lid on cardboard drink cups (or really anything). Often at our school, every meal is made to go — plastic lid and all. But sometimes you plan to sit down and eat it right there in The Bison or The Commons! If you are eating there, tell them you don’t need the plastic lid for your Bada Basil, Mac & Cheese and chopped salad; if you’re at the Bison getting something from grill station, circle “for here” to get it on a paper plate or in a basket! It is such a small action that can have a truly big impact. If you’re interested in seeing how plastic affects our lives in ways we aren’t even conscious of, try to give up plastic for a day! I can tell you why it’s important to use more sustainable options, but from personal experience I understand that might not motivate you. I knew how problematic plastic bottles were for so long before I finally stopped using them. But just one day into this challenge, this changed my perspective on the world and consumerism.