Even MORE hidden plastic in our everyday lives

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

What hidden plastic shocked you the most?

[@moonstar1137]

thank you for acknowledging Phineas and Ferb and aglits that brought me so much joy and it’s so annoying the little bits of plastic that they are

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

hahaha the best!

[@heidio7674]

I am a dumpster diver and the majority of the single use plastic I use has already been thrown away - I guess making it dual use? 🙂

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that ends up in the creation of no new plastic so it's totally fine!

[@Theskyiscrazy]

Me too! I hardly ever buy anything anymore, you wouldn't believe the brand new stuff people throw away

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@Theskyiscrazy it's wild!

[@Klara_is_finding_herself]

Thank you for educating us 🙏💚

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thanks for being here!

[@MichaelSmith-fj7di]

Plastic certainly does have its good uses, but collectively, we’re using way too much of it. We as individuals need to cut out what usage we can. Buying less, not using bottled water, using reusable bags, using reusable dishes, and choosing items made from more sustainable materials are ways that we can help, but there’s only so much we as individuals can do. We also need to be lobbying for legislation to address this plastic issue.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Yes of course!

[@shaunaburton7136]

I have a woodstove and told a person who works with textiles that I burned worn out or damaged clothes made with 100% cotton or wool clothes. She said they still might have thread made from synthetics.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I like to think that if the tag says 100% that they wouldn't lie but I guess you never know

[@samanthaanngraham3130]

i don't know if anyone else pointed this out but in the description of your video there's a section that says, "The Simple Environmentalist earns commissions on tagged products." one of the "tagged products" is the disposable water bottle pictured approx at 1:10 in your video, which then pops up as a link to Walmart in your video and in the description (i have screenshots). i didn't know if you were aware of this ❤

[@DerKommasar]

I noticed there are links to Walmart in the video description as well. I'm confused

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

OMG WHAT?!?! I didn't tag disposable water bottles, that must be AI or somthing. THanks for letting me know, removing this now!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

omg I'm so frustrated I didn't do that!

[@samanthaanngraham3130]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist i figured as much. the AI stuff is so invasive.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@samanthaanngraham3130 for real I didn't even know they would do that to my channel! brb trying to figure out how to avoid this in the future

[@mailanimckelvy9354]

Hey!! Recent subscriber here… just want drop by and to thank you for your videos. As someone who gets a little overwhelmed at where to start sometimes, I really appreciate you bringing awareness to different products/brands. Because of your vids, I’ve tapped into some great resources like my local library, downloaded the Commons app (really eye-opening for certain brands I use) and recently shopped at an environmentally friendly local grocer for the first time (I had no idea I even HAD a local grocer in my town prior to doing some digging!). Sometimes I feel totally clueless, but it’s lovely to have some guidance on little ways to be more actionable :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you SO MUCH for your kind words! That has my week off to a good and motivated start. Thanks for being here!

[@oliv3691]

I like to buy beeswax pellets and make candles using misc glass jars I've collected. Makes good homemade gifts as well as for myself!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

ya how fun!

[@zocansew]

JSYK, when the nestle water shows at 1:10, a pop-up ad shows advertising nestle water from walmart :(

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

THAT IS CRAZY! Thanks for letting me know, I did not put that there and I'm glad you didn't think I would. Must be Google's AI :(

[@OJ_Kjeldsen]

Haven't seen part one, but if you are making a part three, recites are more plastic then paper and sewing threads are almost always polyester, so there are even plastic in your cotton wear. (This is both good and bad tho, since polyester is stronger that cotton so your clothes last longer, but it makes it harder to material recycle because it makes it much harder to make clean cotton blends when shredding up the old clothes)

[@luxlatte4950]

I wonder if there’s 100% linen thread, because as you wash linen it grows stronger instead of cotton which eventually falls apart per long term use.

[@OJ_Kjeldsen]

@luxlatte4950 cool, I didn't know that about linen. I will believe you can find it, just need to search at the right places.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes, receipts are on part 1! Thanks for watching :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I'm sure there is!

[@ashleystanley7941]

Here are some ideas I came up with while watching to help lessen plastic waste in some of these categories: Two great decorative/special occasion candle companies are Big Dipper Wax Works (beeswax) and Southlake Gifts (a blend of soy, vegetable, and beeswax). For glue alternatives, people can try sealing wax or rubber cement, but obviously those won't work for everything. Bottle caps are great for upcycling (like for decor, interesting buttons, or even to replace knobs on electronics or small cabinets). The Coffee Socks are great!! We also use fully compostable paper coffee filters from the brand If You Care. Pacifica makes reusable under eye and forehead/brow masks. Cucumbers are great for eyes, and I've also seen reusable lavender eye pillows.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

nice ideas, thanks!

[@elyssaglenn9005]

Great video! Love your content. 💚

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thank you so much!

[@bittersweetdragon8463]

12:45 agave in bulk often comes in plastic buckets. Coffee is often transported in plastic-lined bags. Sorry 🤷 It seems that there's no getting away from it. I'm part of a food co-op where we have mostly bulk items. There's still SO MUCH plastic waste 😕 still better than packaged tho. I really appreciate these videos 💐

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes!! it's still a reduction so it's better but it's wild how much plastic is behind the scenes!

[@palacsintakat]

One easy way to be more eco-friendly is trying to get everything in metal! Metal is extremely cost-effective to recycle so getting a can of sparkling water is much better than a bottle. That is something I always think about when shopping if I want a convenience item like on a road trip or even if I just want a flavored sparkling water

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

so true!

[@AWanderingEye]

I am so bummed about the coffee filters. I thought they were like cupcake liners (sorry if you mention that in your earlier/later videos in this series). While I use a Moka pot, I was thinking a coffee filter would deal with the sludge at the bottom of the cup. It does. But now I cannot in good conscience put those grounds with filter into our community composter. I think my take away is to have a way to sequester the plastic I bring into my life (as you plan to do with your stickers going into a junk journal for their final resting place). To that end, I clean and keep dry those metallic chip bags in the plan to eventually iron them into a more useable shape for future purposes. I know there is a place to ship them for special recycling but my budget doesn't allow for it. I repurpose other plastic for used kitty litter to keep the odor down...and I use a non-clay version so it is an issue (and we flush her poops). I am trying to be sustainable in different ways not all targeted to reduce plastic. When I started all this I decided my flow chart would make "is it vegan" the number one question then followed by "is it zero waste" (which also includes an asterisk of is it minimalist also). So store bought tofu has been and continues to be a drag. I know I can learn to make my own at home, but I also have limited personal resources for doing things. I used to make my own yogourt but haven't found any issue in not consuming my home made version so having it drop off my routine has been a sort of win. (?) Now, if Instant pot or Cuisinart wanted to sell a home machine that made tofu from scratch, I'd be right there in line to buy one. I also have had plans to make home brew crazy glue which uses up the random styrofoam that has entered my home. But that is down the road a stretch! I am sad about the colored pencils and crayons but am no longer purchasing new packs every year. So, reduce consumption and be mindful of disposal of the unavoidable has been my rough approach? Thanks for keeping this topic going! I can't believe it's been more than a decade since I picked up Bea Johnson's book and followed the queen of plastic reduction, Beth Terry! PS So sorry for your partner who had to use contacts for their job, I have a phobia about putting contacts on my eyes so likely would have lost that job!

[@helmickkm]

Look into reusable coffee filters and I’ve seen compostable disposable coffee filters at one of my local refill shops!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

You don't have to feel sorry for my partner, he's a-okay! As for the coffee, like others have said, look for 100% plant-based filters, that's an easy sway and easy to find :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes!!

[@erinrising2799]

15:15 I have such rage about those plastic tag things. I loath them. Like they could just use a little bit of thread.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

sameeee!!

[@clairexvictoriaa]

I heard that you can put to heads of your bamboo tooth brushes in boiling water and it will soften the bristles to make it easier to pluck them out. I haven’t tested it yet bc I reuse mine for cleaning as well, but when I end up with too many, I will test it out.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

oooh good idea!

[@CreativeRedundancy]

Hello Emma listening intently :) and glued to the screen. I got some candles. A few are bee or soy based. “Rite n rain” paper becomes soft in the presence of hot water. ( tried it in the shower) . These cups the liner, I have manually separated the layer out to reuse, and I do use a reusable coffee filter. Some tags have a liner similar to coffee cups too. Very hard to avoid contact with plastic. 8:56 😂 take CaRe

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

haha thanks for being here!

[@procnina]

I use the Guppy bag ti make laundry, and I'm so Happy when i have 100% cotton stuff, but recently i got so shocked in finding out that even if it'a all cotton, It has some small Pieces of plastic where there are the sewed parts...that killed me!

[@racheljames9187]

Polyester thread is used for nearly all garment assembly because natural fibres don't have sufficient tensile strength to keep our clothes intact for a long time.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

oooh nice!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

right!

[@karinhart489]

Hmm, I wonder is the bulk/reuse store will rinse out and give away the 5 gallon buckets 🪣 for using around the house/ garage/ yard instead of buying new from the big box hardware store? Not a perfect solution, but reusing the heck out of em. PS: coffee routine: I’m still reusing my stainless cup/mug/tumber when traveling, ceramic mug for pour over coffee at home. We get our cream/ milk in glass bottle that goes back to store got it who sends it back to the local dairy.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Oh yes they for sure reuse the buckets I don't know a single zero waste store that would throw something so valuable away!

[@orangeandcalico]

Re: candle wax. I used to work for a candle company and when it says “soy blend” it usually contains a negligible amount of soy in a vat of paraffin wax, just enough to be called a blend. Just so you all know. Haha

[@nature_rabbits5370]

I know about the aglet because of Phineas and Ferb! 😊😊

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

hahahaha the best!

[@LifeLostSoul]

So a lot of air dry paper clays also have plastic in them that's used to help with strengthening. So not just polymer clays. People who are polymer clay artists, couldn't easily switch to other types of clay. This would be like having someone do digital filmmaking and telling them to switch to film. There are some similarities but it's a completely different beast.

[@racheljames9187]

Yeah I'm with you, completely different mediums... polymer clay is an expensive one though, so tends to be used for little pieces and the overall impact is low. Since the stuff is expensive, larger pieces will generally have a frame made of aluminium foil, and they sometimes need armature wire for strength to preserve the shape when baking. I use it to make decorative pieces myself and support small artists buying their pieces occasionally. I'd not expect a polymer clay artist to give up their medium for the planet, just as I wouldn't expect any other artist to do so... art is life, no point in saving the planet without art :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

good to know!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes!!

[@junglesuperstar9270]

I have been wearing glasses since the age of 4 . I remember times when glasses were actually made of glass and first lenses were made of glass too. I remember first time wearing lenses- I could actually be feeling safely crossing the road - I was able to see so much better -especially my peripheral vision. Now I am wearing my old plastic glasses as I h am undecided on eye surgery still. Health and safety are the most important things - so don't feel guilty or whatever if you wear lenses, glasses etc. depending on your current conditions and circumstances. P.s. remember you need to take care of your glasses so they could serve you longer . Your frames can be fixed etc .

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes!! love this mindset :)

[@melinaagustina4771]

Hi Emma, speaking of petroleum, I'm curious about your thoughts on Vaseline and their range of products with Vaseline jellies (lotions, sunscreens, etc.). I currently use Vaseline products a lot since they're relatively cheap and work very well at locking moistures and protecting wounds, but now trying to see if they're as good to the environment as they are to my budget.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I can't say I've done much research here so I can't give a good take right now! I personally don't like them cause of the texture but that's all I know!

[@alicialacroix]

I am curious about the comparison between a large plastic bag, which probably needs to be thicker than smaller ones, and several individual bags. Both what the actual difference in plastic is, and the difference in producing them. Same goes for glasses vs. contacts. I am inclined to think one is better than many even though it's larger, especially if the one is being recycled or reused, but I really don't know for sure

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

the more durable option HAS to be better imo. Especially if it's reused or recycled! But of course it's hard to precisely calculate

[@jusme3534]

Crayons surprised me until you brought up paraffin wax.

[@jochenkraus7016]

Same here, although it's hidden in plain sight. I also didn't think of the glue holding the coffee filter together 😮

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

right!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

haha for real!

[@racheljames9187]

Not really with you on pencils. Performance of any medium is a critical part of it's sustainability... no point switching to a more 'eco friendly' alternative if it's completely crap and can't hold a candle to the things already on the market. Crap products are wasteful and unsustainable and it doesn't matter how many products you reused to make them. I actually wouldn't buy any art supply purely on the basis of its "eco friendliness" - it would have to have glowing reviews after its performance was fairly evaluated against existing options by actual artists. But I don't think that's a bad standard to have if we want to avoid greenwashing. There are different standards depending on the user obviously (kids playing around versus professional artists).. newspaper pencils have some reviews that indicate swelling in humid weather and people's hands being contaminated with the binding glue as they use them, which for me would be a major issue and put me off buying them as someone who loves art. That being said, if Derwent or Faber Castell starts using newspaper and they can do so in a way that doesn't compromise quality, I'm all for that :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

As I said in the video, I never said we have to switch away from these. The point is to bring awareness that plastic is everywhere which was in my intro. I agree, longevity is very important! I talked about this in my recent Pela Case video. Just cause something is made from eco materials doesn't make it the most sustainabel :)

[@RevolutionQueer]

I was so upset that the plastic free deoderant (viking revolution) I bought came in a box that was wrapped in plastic film!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

nooooooo

[@Fisheater8315]

💚♻️

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thank you!

[@leenb.7936]

It could be already covered and if so, steer me towards that video please but I was just thinking of a topic for a video I’d be VERY interested in is how and thus why which items you do your hair. Do you bleach or not and coloring. ALL stuff you use would be of interest to me. Which bleach is merely curiosity but like, plastic bowl and brush or alternatives, you you use gloves? Reusable or do you need the throw away kind for any reason, those kind of info. After about 15 years of virgin hair, I now also do the “fun colors” (though I’m in the orange to pink range of the color wheel). But for instance, sometimes I use gloves but I try to reuse the thin latex-free (due to allergies) kind but for a color touch-up I don’t even bother with gloves since it comes off my hands and such quick/well enough to not worries. But maybe there are other things I could implement -or rather not do- that I haven’t thought of

[@helmickkm]

She just did a video titled something like “if environmentalist why blue hair” where she talks about having fashion colored hair while being an environmentalist

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I have this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lV6zY4Cagc14d9E I use Good Dye Young which is the eco-est option on the market but it's still not perfect. But I limit waste by using the same mixing bowl and brush every single time and once my disposable gloves have run out I will buy some reusable ones :)