Trashing the Plastic Lifestyle

They stopped using disposable razors, hair products of any kind -- including shampoo -- and now make their own deodorant and detergent.

Newlyweds Mark and Melanie Rummel are in the midst of a yearlong experiment to live as plastic-free as possible.

"We were actually just about to go to the grocery store when we decided not to buy any more plastic," Melanie Rummel said.

"No New Plastic" is the motto for their experiment, which began about four months ago.

"We don't buy packaged food. We make our own means," Melanie Rummel said. "We eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and our health has improved."

Her husband said the experiment has been more than just an adventure -- it's been a complete lifestyle change. Using less plastic means always having to be prepared.

"We always carry a water bottle with us that we just refill," Melanie Rummel said. "We carry around utensils with us."

The couple said their home is sort of a laboratory as they tried to create homemade detergent and deodorant from ingredients such as baking soda, Borax and cornstarch.

The Rummels had to compromise when it came to food and kitty litter for their cat Cosmo. All cat foods and kitty litter came in bags lined with plastic, so they tried a new solution with the latter.

"We had started potty-training," Mark Rummel said.

Yes, you read that right. The couple potty trained their cat, as seen in the movie "Meet the Fockers."

"She was up on the toilet and using it and doing great," Mark Rummel said.

The couple blogs about the challenges on their website, Nonewplastic.com.

They continue to explore new ways to cut plastic out of their lives, but say living completely without it is almost impossible.

"For us, it's more about, 'This is how we see a sustainable way of living, and that's how we want to live,'" Melanie Rummel said.

The couple is leaving for a monthlong honeymoon in Europe, where they plan to continue their experiment.