A s our grandmothers could tell us, women dealt with their periods long before plastic was invented. They really don't add too much more to your laundry, and your neighbors won't know what they are when hanging on your line, and they come in outrageous colors if you want. Try not using some of them. But don't fret if you can't reach the earth muffin ideal right away. This summer I switched from my plastic underarm deodorant stick to talcum powder packaged in cardboard.
S o begin with easy changes.
Keep several stuffed in your backpack and sitting by your front door. Groceries, beer, clothes, books, toothpaste, or anything else you buy can be bagged in them. Americans use 70 billion disposable shopping bags a year, an average of 1,200 per year for a family of four. I can't imagine Japan is far behind. T he Body Shop, a British chain, presents some fun alternatives to the plastic addiction.