Did you join us in The Brian Lehrer Show #PlasticChallenge this week and notice/document/forgo the single-use plastic in your life?  Judith Enck, visiting professor at Bennington College, founder of Beyond Plastics and former EPA Region 2 administrator, joins us once again to wrap up this week's challenge and understand more about our use of plastics.

Caller Natasha offered that she'd figured out ways around washing clothes and her hands without relying on soap sold in plastic containers, but had no luck with dishes.  So, how did they wash dishes before plastic?  Here's commenter Michael Allen from Brooklyn's history lesson: There was no detergent before WWII. Soap powder was soap powder: Ivory Snow, Ivory Flakes, etc. For washing dishes someone would use that or maybe put a bar of soap in the sink. This required very hot water. Same thing with laundry detergent: there wasn't any, so same kind of deal. Cold or warm water washing was not possible, so using a lot more energy. Borax or other stuff might be added to help the soap work. That's why enough 20 Mule Team Borax was sold to support national TV commercials in the fifties.

As part of @wnyc “Covering Climate Now” week, @BrianLehrer issued the #plasticchallenge. When I started this show it became clear I would be eating a lot of meals at my desk, so I swore off plastic utensils & bought this cool set. 🍴 -AS pic.twitter.com/sdmXsQiP4f

— All Of It With Alison Stewart (@AllOfItWNYC) September 20, 2019

Also forgot to mention that I've switched to @jrliggettShampo bar which has allowed me to fitch #plastic shampoo bottlles! pic.twitter.com/3vV5ISBKLT

— GrowingaWildNYC (@alixfano) September 20, 2019

Bought Copco faux takeout cups a year ago. pic.twitter.com/QeT2c9FWPG

— Corinne May (@corinne_717) September 19, 2019

Last entry @BrianLehrer #PlasticChallenge. This dog food bag contains all single use plastic collected this week that a) did not go into recycling or b) could not be reused. PS we are told to put our alkaline batteries in the trash. They’re not♻️’d in this town in NY. pic.twitter.com/aOJ1B3R8yg

— kayjay (@okkayjay) September 19, 2019

#PlasticChallenge coffee routine.
French Press + mason jar for later = no K-cups, no Starbucks cups, #zerowaste.
How do you like that one @BrianLehrer and listeners? pic.twitter.com/i9QYYrxntg

— 12stTales (@12stTales) September 19, 2019

Moving to a bamboo toothbrush. The plastic in the old one is hard as rock. It should have lasted longer.. and actually it probably will which is sad. Plastic clips on my husband ‘s shirt from the cleaner will also outlive me. @BrianLehrer #PlasticChallenge pic.twitter.com/Lox0uFvhzs

— kayjay (@okkayjay) September 19, 2019

#plasticchallenge ❤️ silicone Stasher Bags! Dishwasher safe and durable. Also ❤️ Yamazaki USA bag/bottle dryer. My fail is the zipper bag I used to save my paint. I will reuse and wash out roller pans but need a better option for paint. Ideas? pic.twitter.com/WeWWowW20R

— susan rowe harrison @lunule (@lunule) September 20, 2019

Late submission!!! @BrianLehrer / #PlasticChallenge : I’ve been thinking all week about how to replace my daily breakfast which is wrapped in non-recyclable plastic. Here it is next to a substitute my roommate homemade for me!!! pic.twitter.com/hSA2Gq1YwS

— Alex Dziura (@alexdziura) September 20, 2019