How to Reduce Plastic Waste....
We're about halfway through Plastic Free July...what the heck is Plastic Free July? It's a global movement that aims to help individuals and organizations reduce their plastic waste.
Am I 100% plastic free? Absolutely not. Is it a goal? Meh, also probably not to be honest, particularly at this phase in my life. Do I am to reduce my plastic waste in everyday life? ABSOLUTELY yes.
I don't know if it was the "theme" of this year or the slogan or what have you, but it was "Just one thing." Literally just one thing is all that 'we' are asking you to swap. Choose something easy and attainable so you stick with it....sustainable habits are built, well... sustainably. Already done the easy ones? Deep in this thing called low waste or plastic free? Looking for a challenge? Pick your nemesis. The sneaky plastic thing you always find popping up!
On social media we've been sharing some of our favorites or "starters"
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dish soap and sponge (I'm partial to solid dish soap, but hey, too much? just bring your dish soap container in when it's empty!
- we've got reusable sponges and loofah sponges. Bonus? less germs!
- opt for the cone instead of the dish when ordering ice cream. Always a 10/10
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produce bags...this one drives me nuts....you are going to wash it when you get home (I hope!)...so just skip the bag (okay, I get if you are getting loose Brussels sprouts you're going to want the bag...but the bananas? really?!) or just get a reuseable produce bag.
(did I just learn that brussel sprouts is incorrect? Sure did.)
- bring your own mug. yeah...because even those hot coffee cups have plastic. I'm like a 40% success rate on this one, but I'm always super proud when I do (minus that time at a Dunkin when they made the drink in a PLASTIC CUP POURED IT IN MINE AND THREW IT IN THE TRASH)
- Laundry do you really like hauling those big drippy tubs of yuck? me neither. Grab our powder or concentrate. Save money. Save a trip to the transfer station. Oh and dryer sheets? Yeah those are plastic too. Grab some balls. For the dryer. (get your brain out of the gutter)
- Annnnnd the bathroom. Another plastic hot spot. Skip the plastic toothbrush (yes, my kids still grab the free one from the dentist...because you know what else is important? BRUSHING YOUR TEETH) grab a bamboo one. We can also help you with plastic free floss, and toothpaste if you're really feeling on a roll.
Start small, end strong and yes....
despite this regular feeling (see below meme), your actions DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We are halfway through the year...and we've diverted well over 2000 containers from the landfill (I really only calculated that for our top 6 sellers because analytics make me tired, so add a couple hundred to that easy). And if I can't dream for a better less wasteful future, well then thats just silly, because hope is a powerful thing.
You shopping small, buying local, and buying sustainably is money spent in your community, that will stay in your community, that isn't supporting my new jet.
(also plastic free single use straws have come a long way....unless you have celiac...that gets complicated. Sorry).