Beth Terry, writes the Fake Plastic Fish blog, is an anti-plastic girl in a plastic world. Her detailed log of how much plastic she uses or comes across is a eye-opening view into our disposable culture.

How do you eco?

On the surface, my life and mission are about plastic. How to reduce plastic consumption and waste and find better, healthier alternatives. I track my own plastic waste and hopefully inspire others.

Our plastic habits are an example of the lifestyle our culture promotes. Plastic is convenient, because nothing can be easy enough for us. Plastic is lightweight and cheaper to ship, so we can buy and import more and more. It lasts forever in the environment as tiny plastic pieces. Plastic objects often break and usually can’t be fixed, a view into our disposable society.

Once at a meditation retreat, I ranted about garbage and the environment. The teacher pointed at his head and said, “You know what? The real garbage is in here.” I never forgot that moment. The first place I always try to start with is my “inner environment”, the source of all my actions.

Why did you go eco?

I read an article Plastic Ocean about the damage plastic particles are doing to the marine environment and how those toxins move up the food chain. There was a photo of a dead Laysan albatross, whose carcass was full of plastic bottle caps, a toothbrush and even a cigarette lighter. That photo has never left my head, and it influences my daily choices.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

Two things:

• Read the Plastic Ocean article. Then decide how you can begin eliminating unnecessary plastic.
• Use baking soda. It’s a wonder substance. I use it for cleaning, as a deodorant (yes, it really works!) and even to wash my hair. I buy it from Whole Foods in the San Francisco Bay Area that has bulk bins, where you bring and fill up your own container. So it’s zero waste. Gotta love that!

EcoLinks

• Fake Plastic Fish
• Recycling & Waste