Metamorphosis Reflection

Hello everybody I hope you’re well! Here is my reflection for the action/inquiry project that I have been doing. Just to recap, I have been making paper, compostable and recyclable bags that in the future, I am hoping to donate to a local thrift store that is currently using plastic bags.

1. What challenges did you overcome throughout this action project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?

Throughout the project, I have had many small challenges such as using the paper available as efficiently as possible, designing the bags and working through the right dimensions of the bags. With all those challenges, I was able to solve them pretty easily through trial and error. However, due to our current pandemic, the biggest challenge that I am facing is actually being able to donate the bags as the store I was planning on donating to is closed. Despite this, I am still holding onto the bags and am hoping the store is able to continue to provide and help the community. I hope that all of the little stores in our community are able to remain open during this time as I’m sure they are facing many difficulties.

2. How did this inquiry change the way you think?

I think I learned a lot through this project both through my research and through the action of making the bags. For my research, I learned a lot about how plastics can effect marine life. I had known how detrimental plastic could be but researching for myself helped me find more about how it harms them internally. From now on, I think I will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of homemade products and stores that sell homemade products. I love creating stuff on my own and designing the bags and it was difficult and time consuming for me to make them so I can’t imagine the hard-work and dedication that must go into creating enough products for an entire store. Overall, I think this project helped me gain an in depth appreciation for the well being of marine life, how plastics effect us and homemade goods.

3. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?

I think this project impacted the way I look at plastics. I have always been carful of sorting through garbage and recyclable but now I am going to try and make more of an effort to change the way I use plastic on a more daily basis. I’ll make sure I don’t use plastic bottles, I’ll pick up after my family members if they leave garbage or plastic behind and in the future, if any other opportunities arise to protect animals from plastic, I will take them. I will also try to shop at the Crossroads Hospice thrift store more often to show my support for reuseing goods.

4. What will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?

Locally, I believe this will make an impact with the thrift store I am donating to and hopefully others in the community who shop there or who see the bags. I hope that they can catch on and hopefully be motivated to use reusable bags. I also hope this will make an impact in the store itself as they are currently using plastic bags. Because I am also branding the bags with their logo, I hope others who see the bags will be motivated to shop their more because the thrift store sells already used items so they’re reusing as well which makes a positive difference in the community.