My Month Without Plastic: I Survived

 

The plastic waste generated during my month without plastics.

I made it! I survived a month "without" plastic. I managed to mostly avoid purchasing new plastic but still left a small trail of plastic waste behind (see the photo to the right).

It’s less than I expected, which is somewhat of a relief, but I still cringe when I think about this waste still being around for decades after this challenge is over.

We forget about our trash rather quickly when we throw something “away,” but “away” is still somewhere. One of the walls in the Burke's Plastics Unwrapped exhibit is covered with 3,000 plastic bags–the number used every single second by people like me, who hadn’t thought about the consequences of common consumption. I believe as people who can make choices for ourselves, we have a duty to become more aware of our impact and to make a change.

My Month Without Plastic: Wrapped Up

By Samantha Porter


Not only have I had to rethink how and what types of foods I purchase during this month without plastics challenge, but it's also made me rethink other aspects of my life. Have you ever noticed how many everyday items you use are either made of plastic or wrapped up in it?

Plastics are literally everywhere! They're surrounding my shampoo, kitchen sponges and laundry detergent. They're in my clothes, face wash (what do you think those little microbeads are?) chewing gum, and dental floss. Even the little plastic aglet on the end of my shoe laces. It's a fact: plastics exist in my life and in my home.

I certainly can't avoid all plastics and there are some that I don't want to avoid. Can you imagine having a glass shampoo bottle in the shower? That's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Even though there are some plastics I can't easily avoid, I've found ways to lessen the collateral damage of my overall consumption.

My Month Without Plastic: Unexpected Nutrition Overhaul



By Samantha Porter

In last week's post, I was just starting to realize how much effort and planning it would require for me to avoid plastic waste while shopping for groceries. This process is a bit clumsy at first, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

What will I eat??
Before leaving for the store, I think through exactly what I'm going to purchase so I make sure to bring the right jars and reusable bags with me to carry my groceries. Though it is a relative hassle, it's given me the opportunity to be more mindful about what I eat.

Fundraising T-Rex Grants First Interview

After receiving positive feedback about my interview with Frank the Freight Elevator, I started to think about other interesting characters at the Burke who might be willing to chat with me about their contribution to keeping this place running smoothly. I found a willing candidate in Margot the Fundraising T-Rex and while I was working at the admission desk this past Monday, I called her over for a short sit-down with me.

Margot the Fundraising T-Rex

Sam the Receptionist: Thank you, Margot, for setting aside part of your busy day to tell us about your experience at the Burke.
Margot the Fundraising T-Rex: No problem, Sam. I love talking about the work I do here and am overjoyed at the chance to explain what I do to your blog readers.

S: It is my pleasure. So how long have you been working in Development at the Burke?
M: Well, I’ve been around the Museum for quite a while, but I’ve only been in my current position for about 9 months. I really enjoy what I do here! Although some might think I’m rather stiff, I get to see so many people everyday walk around the lobby with wide eyes and curiosity all over their face. Each week there are so many students that come through. Our Educators work really hard to corral so many youngins every day. Sometimes there are upwards of 60 enthusiastic elementary school children in one tour. I love days like that when there are so many busy bodies of energy exploring the Burke for the first time!

Me and Margot!

S: Do you usually get to interact with the kids on days like that?
M: Sometimes I do. Children are usually the ones that notice me first so I get to say “hi” and show them my giant quarter. But some of the time they don’t notice me at all which makes me a little sad, but I know it’s because they’re so eager to discover all that the Burke has to offer.

S: What is your favorite part of working here at the Museum?
M: It has to be when people fill my little Plexiglas office with donations. I love it because it means that they really enjoyed their time here and they value the institution enough to put even a little bit of money back into the Museum. It doesn’t even matter to me how much people give, it’s the act of giving itself that makes me giddy.

S: Does it annoy you when kids try and aim for your head with quarters?
M: Nope, not at all. When I was in college I played soccer and having quarters aimed at my head is as close as I get to hitting headers anymore.

S: Well, Margot, thank you for taking the time out of your day to tell our readers about your job!
M: Anytime, Sam, anytime.

With whom should I seek my next interview? Cast your vote!



Posted by: Sam Porter

Burke Freight Elevator Tells All in Exclusive Interview

I first met our freight elevator, who I'll call Frank, when I started my job as the Burke receptionist back in August. He helped me get to my first interview and ever since we've been very close. Since he's only a few feet from my desk, Frank and I work together daily, which is why it was such a treat to spend a bit of time with him to check in and find out what this elevator's walls had to say.

Sam the Receptionist: Thank you, Frank, for sitting down with us today to discuss what it's like to work at the Burke.

Frank the Freight Elevator: You're welcome, Sam. It's a pleasure to be here. Of course, I appreciate you coming to me as it's difficult for me to get away from my post at times.

That's me and the freight elevator, conducting our interview.

S: No problem. I can imagine that, as a freight elevator, it's easiest for me to come to you. Of course, we work closely during the day and you help me quite a bit.

F: No worries, it's my pleasure. I am more than happy to help keep the museum working.

S: Well, let's get to it. How long have you been here at the Burke? 
F: I came to the Burke in 1962 and was lucky enough to start in this position. I didn't have to work my way up, so to speak. I work my way up every day! Ha! That one will never get old.

S: Haha, thank you for that. Is there a remarkable experience that you've had since you've been at the Burke?
F: There are so many amazing things that happen here. Of course, I enjoy the annual whale skull move for Meet the Mammals. It's nice to get to see such an incredible specimen up close like that. It's also really amazing how much work goes into getting them from the mezzanine to the second floor. Two years ago, someone caught me on video while our mammalogy team was moving the whale skulls...check it out: 

S: What about the day to day? What does a regular work day look like for you?
F: Well, the back side of the museum usually opens around 7:30 am or so and people start going to the different floors around 8 am. First the collections managers, curators, and staff show up and a few volunteers. I really love everyone who works here, but the volunteers are who make my day. Some of these people are here so long, I forget that they don't get paid! Like this guy Don, he's a volunteer in Geology and I swear sometimes he's here more than I am!

S: Aside from the people, what kinds of things do you see on a regular work day? What do you carry other than people?
F: WELL! That's very exciting. People from around the area here and a few different organizations bring us dead stuff. Yes. Dead stuff. My absolute favorite! People will bring in gorgeous birds that have flown into windows or were knocked out of a tree in the storm. Some of the most stunning specimens are brought in by the public. They find these unfortunate creatures outside and they wrap them up in plastic, stick them in their freezer and call the Burke to find out what to do next. Also, the Woodland Park Zoo and the Burke have a great relationship. A lot of the animals that pass away at the Zoo come to the Burke to be cleaned up and cared for and then become educational tools for teaching people about the amazing diversity of life on Earth!

S: It sounds like you have quite the job here at the museum.

F: Yes, it really is. I get to take people to where they need to go with the cool stuff that they work with here. There are so many fascinating things here at the Burke that even the freight elevator can get in on the action!

S: Well, thank you for your time, Frank. Hopefully we'll get a chance to meet with you again at some point to hear about your latest exploits!

F: Thank you, Sam. It's been a pleasure.

Posted by: Samantha Porter, Operations

Kryostega, Thrinaxodon, Lystrosaurus...oh my!

We've been reporting on the Antarctic fossil expedition that our vertebrate paleontology curator and two of his graduate students are currently part of, and we're getting really excited for them to return to Seattle in a couple of weeks! Once they have a chance to share which fossils they found, we'll definitely post about it on this blog.

You may have watched the video we posted earlier of UW grad students Brandon and Adam describing what their journey to the southern-most continent would be like; in the same recording session, they also talked about why they were going to Antarctica to look for fossils. The second half of the video is a short tour of some of the Antarctic specimens currently in the paleontology collection at the museum (Kryostega! Thrinaxodon! Lystrosaurus!). Take a look:



Posted by: Samantha Porter