[S-Series] My Determination on Saying NO to Non-biodegradable Materials!

Hi guys

Remember  a number of years ago, I wrote a post on how I converted from plastic water bottles to stainless steel ones. (Click here to read about it) Till this day, I still swear by my words.

Over the years, I’ve already got through many stainless steel bottles, even though they were tough and doesn’t keep any taste from any beverages I decide to put in there. But alas, nothing last forever, I either dropped and dent the steel or mold started growing on all the non-metallic parts that I have to abandon them.

I got a little too obsessed with it that I started buying stainless steel mugs and double walled tumblers of good quality and only use them instead of those plastic stuff.

Let’s Do What Little We Can

While its not much, I would like to believe that what I’m doing now help reduce the creation of wastes even if it’s just one Styrofoam cup at a time. Let’s introduce what I’m using right now.

1. Avex Freeflow Autoseal: My main water bottle is a 1.2L double walled steel bottle that’s really helpful in keeping my water warm in a chilly air-con room. My weak teeth hates cold water.  There’s a rubber pad at its bottom, something I haven’t encountered with all the steel bottles I’ve used before, and it’s surprisingly useful. It adds to the bottle’s durability by protecting its butt. 
2. Hydroflask Coffee 350ml: This little bottle is also double walled to help maintain the temperature of my soul beverage. I’m using this as my coffee mug, coffee is life, so its absolutely essential. I contained all my take out coffee in this bottle, eliminating the need for Styrofoam cups. To be honest, this wide-mouth bottle isn’t as great as my previous coffee mug/bottle. I was using Klean Kanteen 346ml narrow mouthed, double walled, steel bottle with a steel bamboo cap accessory. I guess its the narrow mouth and the steel cap that helped insulate the drink. 
3. Topo Designs x MiiR Mugs: I got them for home use. Initially I only bought one. But Claire thought the mugs were cute, so she said she wanted one too! Jokingly… But I took it seriously and ordered another mug. Our weekend morning routine involves me brewing coffee into identical mugs, after which we will lepak on our couch. 
4. Snow Peak Stacking Ti Mug M200 + M150: I got these Snow Peak titanium double wall mugs in Japan. I was thinking: how can we enjoy a hanami picnic under those beautiful cherry blossoms… with paper cups?? These mugs serves dual purposes. I can pour cold shochu or hot coffee in them. The smaller mug fits inside the larger mug, and titanium is light weight, so these mugs were perfect for picnics. I also bought another single wall titanium mug 300 for general purposes like holding oden or dango etc. With these mugs, we eliminated the need for paper cups as well.
5. Snow Peak Titanium Spork: No need for single use cutlery because I also bring a pair of sporks for outdoor dining. Titanium again, is really light and tough, almost indestructible. Unlike stainless steel, which will obtain dents easier than titanium.

Durability

Plastic bottles will deteriorate with time and extended exposure to sunlight. It will become brittle and God knows if it will breakdown into tiny microscopic particles that might be smaller than dust. I’m sure we will unknowingly ingest or even breathe in the particles..

With these stainless steel or titanium products, we probably won’t have to replace them unless you managed to break them. They are so durable, I think you will only replace them due to its cosmetic condition more often than a mechanical failure. Or throw them away when you grow tired of it.

Those good quality metal stuff will often cost more. But because it will last you forever, it’s actually a good investment. That’s why, over the years, I’m slowly building up my collection of pots and utensils and bottles. The everyday stuff that I need to get through the day, I’m slowly replacing all the plastic stuff to either stainless steel or titanium.

Daily meal

Nowadays, I’ll always bring my own personal titanium spork and steel chopsticks when I go for lunch. The kopitiam I frequent only provide disposable chopsticks and spoons, so it’s better for both my health and the environment that I provide my own utensils.

Maybe one day, everyone will be like that, make the effort to bring your own utensils and maintain them properly. Then there won’t be anymore disposable stuff and the sea will have lesser garbage; check out the Great Pacific Garbage Patch for example.

Have a good life.

Simon Tey