Wow! @Paul1255, @Sandra126, @Helen427, @Kath9, and @Lizzie. I thought I was good! You guys ROCK!
Having been a polymer chemist (patents, whole nine yards), I know ALL about degradation, degassing, pseudo estrogens... don't know if it's true or ever even really been said, but I seriously/personally believe that this may be the reason for the enormous rise in prostate cancers. OK, off-topic!
In the kitchen, the only plastic is the thin film wrap (tried wax paper... it really doesn't do the job), and these sort of "Tupperware" snap-lids that fit on a glass container. Neither comes in contact with food.
I like straws, so I went to stainless straws (with groovy little pipe-cleaners--yes, but you really must clean the inside of a straw).
So otherwise, for the kitchen, that's it. I have teabags for guests, but for me, it's really just tap-water or wine. (We have AWESOME tap water here--better and more consistent than bottled!)
Once out of the kitchen, I think total plastic-free is absolutely impossible. Truly, if you take inventory of everything in your home--and I mean everything--including your wardrobe! It's impossible.
If you think a Paleo diet is difficult, HA! You're talking Paleo LIVING! People already think of me as a bit eccentric, but this would definitely push it over the edge! They put people away in hospitals for stuff like this!
Grocery store? Nope. If you don't have celery in something reasonably air-tight, that lovely crunchy will be gone in a couple of days. In San Diego, we've all but outlawed the plastic bags they used to automatically put our groceries in. I got sick of the bags and I shop with a large woven basket (or two). This is really lovely, and I have never gotten so many compliments on ANYTHING before! Elegant, beautiful, and none of those nasty bags (they now charge ten cents per bag if you need one).
I grow most of my own food and what I don't, I get from a little market (and I trade a lot of my seasonal over-production). I know the sources. But even on my small farm--the bags that hold the pine shavings? The handles on many of the smaller tools? There are polymers in outdoor paints (for sure), and even interior paints... in the concrete foundations. 100% is 100% not possible unless you want to crawl into a cave and eat raw snake meat.
Honestly? I couldn't brush my teeth, floss, or put on my shoes--or even my underwear! (No, I will not be tying my panties on with cotton twine.)
Great topic, Lizzie. I'm all for it, and for the right reasons, but YOU CANNOT ESCAPE!
OK, I think I've taken this too far... my thoughts became more elastic!
Best,
Kim