Every year, millions of people around the world take the Plastic-Free July challenge to reduce single-use plastics and develop lasting habits for a cleaner planet. While ditching plastic entirely might seem daunting, even small changes can have a big impact. Check out our tips to help you cut back on plastic this month and beyond!
Top 8 Tips:
- Just say no. An easy and effective way to reduce waste is to refuse single-use items such as plastic utensils and straws. Instead, try a reusable straw and utensils from home or purchase a to-go set to have handy.
- Bring your own reusable grocery bag. On average in the United States, 100 billion plastic bags are used by consumers annually, and the average time each bag is used is less than 15 minutes. Stop by one of our upcoming outreach events at a grocery store near you for a free reusable grocery bag to get you started!
- Bring your own water bottle or travel mug. The amount of water used to produce a plastic bottle is six to seven times the amount of water in the bottle. Conserve water and plastic by using your own reusable water bottle. Take it a step further by bringing your reusable travel mug to coffee shops and cafes when possible, and you might even get some perks!
- Ditch to-go containers. You’ve likely seen the plastic clamshells that some restaurants provide for a take-home box. Instead of taking this item home, which has a short life and cannot be recycled in our community, take a container with you for leftovers. While it may feel silly, restaurant lovers will find themselves cutting down on waste quickly!
- Buy low-waste packaging foods and items. Less than 15% of plastic packaging is recycled. When out shopping, opt for loose items or low-waste packaging to reduce waste. If you’d like to avoid packaging altogether, visit a refill store or the bulk section of your local grocery store with your clean, reusable containers of choice. When you can’t avoid plastic packaging, collect any clean and stretchy plastic film for recycling at your local grocery store.
- Replace plastic storage bags and plastic wrap. Instead of using plastic to pack a lunch to go, swap for a beeswax wrap, glass containers, or reusable food storage bags. These items have an array of price tags to suit your budget and are available in a variety of sizes.
- Use a refillable k-cup. We love the convenience of coffee pods, but it comes with a cost: coffee pods cannot be recycled curbside. Lower your plastic use drastically by swapping single-use k-cups for a refillable one with your coffee of choice. As an added bonus, this method is far cheaper than buying premade pods!
- Recover littered recyclables. Plastic bottles, bags, and cigarette butts are three of the most commonly littered items in Texas, according to Keep America Beautiful. Conduct a litter cleanup this month and sort collected litter to recover recyclables. Even cigarette butts, made of a plastic called cellulose acetate, can be recycled through free mail-back recycling programs.
From bringing your own containers to rethinking your daily coffee routine, these small actions add up to meaningful change. This July, choose a tip for going plastic-free and share your successes with us!
