When it comes to global warming, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the immensity of the problem and by the complexity of the solutions on offer. But here at Global Cool, we’re always striving to think of ways to make a difference, however small, to help save a planet. After all, one by one, tonne by tonne, we can defeat global warming.
So we’ve challenged one intrepid Global Cooler to lead by example, cut down on waste and avoid as much throwaway packaging as humanly possible for one whole week. Stepping up to the plate is Frances Pollitzer, baby of the group and no stranger to a take-out Americano. Here’s how she’s getting on…
Monday
Not a normal start to the week this – it’s 6am Monday morning and I’ve just crept through the front door instead of out of bed. I’m starving – it’s been over 12 hours since I shared a sausage roll with a drunken stranger before heading to Carnival. But this is No Packaging Week, so I help myself to a huge plate of rice and home-made (no store bought jars of sauce) curry before melting into bed.
The rest of the day I manage to avoid all food packaging easily. I admit this is not for ethical reasons but mostly because I’ve gone to Tulse Hill. (Was the architect of Tulse Hill Station inspired by Marcel Duchamp’s urinal?) On my way back I get penalty-fared by a man with an aisle-blocking belly who relieves me of every last shiny penny and torn note in my wallet. I consider telling him to avoid convenience food for a week – his waistline would thank me – but when I open my mouth I get dangerously close to unleashing last night’s sausage roll like a phoenix from the ashes. Instead, I squeeze past the smug lard ass and wish him a good bank holiday.
Day one: mission complete. High five.
Tuesday
It’s 5pm and I’ve avoided the morning disposable coffee cup, the lunchtime plastic wrap, the probably-packaged tea time treat. Then again – before you pat me on the back and start to sing ‘For She’s a Jolly Green Fellow’ – today isn’t an average Tuesday. I’m not in the office this week, and haven’t actually left the house all day.
Day two: Environment 1 – 0 Packaging
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