I searched high and low for a fitting name for my blog. I somehow landed at urbandictionary.com and, after some serious consideration of ‘plasterbation’, I came across ‘plastic manners’. Urbandictionary.com eloquently, I might add, defines plastic manners as:
When two people, or groups of people, meet up unexpectedly and instantly hide their true feelings about each other under awkward and blatantly fake politeness.
After just leaving an unwanted conversation and joining another with a genuine friend:
Newcomer: “God, I thought that would never end.”
Friend: “You two have seriously plastic manners. Just admit you don’t like talking to one another. It’s sad watching you two stumble through a conversation.”
I like this term and its urban definition, because it describes my relationship with plastic- a relationship that I changed January 1st, 2010.
First, plastic and I often meet unexpectedly. Starting out, I had no idea just how often!
Second, I feel like plastic and I had been hiding our true feelings for each other indeed! I often pretended not to mind its pervasive presence. The truth is, however, that I hate it in so many ways, which will surely be revealed throughout the life of this blog. Plastic, similarly, smiles back at me, with its alluring pinks and blues and comforts galore. The truth seems to be, however, that it hates me too, deviously polluting my body and planet. Super awkward.
What started as a year-long project, quickly became a life-long endeavour.
~~~
[Disclaimer- the views expressed in this blog are mine alone and do not reflect those of the organizations I work for or am affiliated with]


19 comments
Comments feed for this article
December 4, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Inne Uitto
What an adventure ahead. You’re very brave !
December 4, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Alaya
Can’t wait to read more!
January 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm
James
Very cool. Good luck and I can’t wait to hear more on how it goes and what inspiration you might be able to share with the rest of us. I once decided to not throw anything away (and thereby hopefully reduce the amount of unwanted packaging I purchased) and I ended up starting to make a ‘garbage man’ life size doll in my apartment. All the waste that was accumulating was formed to make parts of his body…
Look forward to reading more about your experience soon.
February 2, 2010 at 8:59 am
Robert Shumake
Your site was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
-Robert Shumake Paul Nicoletti
February 7, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Rowan
Hi. I’m really enjoying reading your blog. It’s very inspiring! I check back every few days to see if you’ve written more. I’m a new mother and am finding that particularly with children it’s very difficult to avoid plastics, but I am trying my best and hope to continue to improve as I go. Keep up the good work! Keep posting!
February 8, 2010 at 9:48 am
Plastic Manners
Hi Rowan,
Thanks for the note! Let us know if you find good baby alternatives and I can post them to share with others. There seem to be a lot of moms out there facing the same dilemma.
March 1, 2010 at 7:59 pm
kyce
I just found you while doing a search for info on plastic in butcher paper. Couldn’t find any reference to that here, but am so delighted to have found you. We began our plastic fast on January first also. Not quite as strict as you (still getting butcher paper and plastic lids) but along the same lines. I’m recording the journey at Old Recipe for a New World–come by and see what we’re up to.
And do you know anything about butcher paper?
March 21, 2010 at 11:19 am
Leah
Hi,
I came to your presentation at SFU on Friday and I really enjoyed it (I was the one who asked about tin cans if you remember). I think what you’re doing is awesome. I’d love to start my own project like it, and become more involved in these issues. I’ve been telling everyone I know about your project– I work in a health food store (which sells a few of the alternatives you showed) and of course everyone there was excited about it too.
I write for an environmental blog and I was wondering if I could do a short question-and-answer interview with you– just over email is ok, I’m sure you’re super busy, but I also live in the area so I could meet you somewhere as well. Please email me if you’re interested!
Thanks!
April 10, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Rowan
I’m wondering what your opinion is on silicone? Meaning the rubbery stuff that is used in cookware. I’m trying to find plastic-free sippy cups for my son and am finding nothing. The closest I have found is one by Pura but it has a silicone spout. Do you consider this a plastic or is it an exception? I’m also having trouble finding reliable, clear information about silicone and it’s toxicity and biodegradability (or lack thereof). Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks a lot. Keep up the great work!
April 14, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Plastic Manners
I found a good source! Just waiting to catch them on the phone…I’ll write up a report when I do.
May 5, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Thomas Delahooke
The e-mail address you give for contacting you (plasticmanners@yahoo.ca) doesn’t appear to work so I don’t know how to get in touch with you ! (which I would like to do very much, my e-mail remains “un-delivered” !)
Tom
June 16, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Jason Balogh
Taina,
I just posted a video of the sunset cruise a couple of weeks ago. It features you and J. Check it out at my site, http://www.kelpclaw.com. have a good one. My girlfriend and I love you blog.
JB
June 16, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Plastic Manners
Jason,
“SINGLE abUSE PLASTIC” is now my favourite term. Thanks for sharing!!
July 19, 2010 at 3:24 am
and even more « Leave Only Footprints
[...] 19, 2010 The world of plastic free bloggers is ever growing – try plastic manners in Canada for tips, links and photos. Posted by polythenepam Filed in Uncategorized Leave a Comment [...]
July 27, 2010 at 1:40 am
polythenepam
Dear fellow bloggers,
I am updating my blog roll and would love to do kind of who’s who in the plastic refusenik, zero trash, and dumper diving world. If you could be bothered to send me a brief description– say a paragraph – about your blog, aims and achievements, I would very happy to feature you.
I don’t want to write it myself in case I miss the best bits or misrepresent you.
Images to illustrate the above also gratefully accepted.
please send to http://www.plasticisrubbish@yahoo.co.uk
to appear in
http://www.plasticisrubbish.wordpress.com
With thanks
Polythene Pam x
August 16, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Rowan
Hi. Just read that cash register receipts contain high levels of BPA. Did you know about this? It’s not plastic but it’s one of the same ingredients, and one of the nastiest! And apparently even worse than when it’s in bottles or cans because it doesn’t have the other plastic chemicals to bond it together, so it just comes off onto your hands. Lovely, huh? Anyway, thought I’d mention it to you in case you hadn’t read about it yet.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48084/title/Science_%2B_the_Public__Concerned_about_BPA_Check_your_receipts
August 19, 2010 at 10:47 am
polythenepam
I did read that somewhere but thought t was way too freaky to be true but it seems it might be. Yuck.
July 17, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Joddle
You write cuttingly and adroitly express your loathing of plastic waste and eco fails. Having only found your site today, I’ve already signed up for email subscription. Great site and look forward to future posts
January 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm
pioneeringthesimplelife
I’ve come upon your blog on so many occasions during my research for a huge database that we’re creating as a free resource for people to use on their smart phones and the Web for responsibly disposing of their unwanted stuff (which is mostly plastic, of course). Your format is easy to follow, your voice is humorous and friendly, but most importantly, you are providing much-needed information, insights, and guidance for living closer to the rhythms of the Earth, protecting its precious resources. We’d love to link to your content and point people to your information wherever it makes sense within our database, if that’s okay with you. And if you’d like to learn more about us, we’ve just launched a Kickstarter campaign at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/464119894/cora-transform-your-trash-to-treasure. Maybe you’d be interested in trying out a Beta version of the app? We’re hoping to cover all of N. America. Thanks for all that you’re doing, and I look forward to following your every word in the future.
Liesl Clark
Cora: A Mobile App Providing Smart Solutions for our Excessive Waste
http://www.teamcora.com
Sky Door Films
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://www.pbs.org/secretsofshangrila/
Magic Yeti Children’s Libraries
Promoting Literacy in the High Himalayas
http://www.alexlowe.org/magic_yeti.shtml
Living the Simple Life
http://www.pioneeringthesimplelife.wordpress.com