Every morning I open my eyes to an alarm clock made mostly of plastic. I squeeze out toothpaste, encased in something plasticky, onto my plastic toothbrush. My shampoo and conditioner bottles are plastic; so is my shower curtain.

Plastic pervades my breakfast: Milk and yogurt come in plastic containers and cereal in bags. Even the refillable coffee mug I carry to the local cafe is insulated with plastic and topped with a plastic lid.

I know all this plastic isn't healthy for me or the planet. Those containers aren't always easily and safely recycled (Nos. 3, 6, and 7, in particular). I also know that the stuff never fully biodegrades.

There's the manufacturing issue, too. Plastic production can release cancer-causing, hormone-disrupting toxins into the air and uses vast amounts of energy and natural resources.

To create just one pound of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, or No. 1 plastic, used in water and soda bottles) it takes nearly 20 pounds of water and emits about 3 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many plastics keep emitting toxins long after they've left the factory -- even as you're using them.

Seriously reducing our use of plastic would be a very good thing for the earth. So last winter, I decided to pitch plastic from my life. It wouldn't be easy; I knew that. But I was optimistic.

I'd already made the switch from plastic grocery bags to canvas totes, so I figured I was off to a great start. But when I began to pay careful attention to every piece of plastic I encountered, the reality surprised me.