Join the Plastic Free July Challenge

If you have not yet joined the zero-waste movement, now is a great time to start.  For the entire month of July, people all over the world will take part in Plastic Free July, a global challenge to reduce personal consumption of single-use plastic.

Plastic is taking over our planet, and it is happening breakneck pace.  Almost half of the plastic ever manufactured has been made in the past 15 years. Eight billion pounds of plastic finds its way to the ocean each year.  At our current rate of plastic production, consumption, and disposal, the oceans will contain more plastic then fish by 2050! 

 So, what can we do to stop this plastic consumption? I believe that action, even by a few people can make a difference. I decided to take the Plastic Free July Challenge again this year.  I participated in the Challenge for the past two years, and it has really made me look at how much plastic that I (and my family) use each day.  It may be impossible to get rid of all the plastic in your life.  But if you can eliminate just 10% each day, think of what a difference it will make.

Simple ways to remove plastic from daily life:

·         Bring your travel mug to the coffee shop, if you’re getting a cup to go

·         Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere

·         Use reusable Produce Bags at the grocery store or farmers’ market. Check out our Be Mindful Reusable Produce Bags.

·         Avoid plastic packaging – bring your own containers to the deli counter at the grocery store

·         Create your own home cleaning products using the glass jars you’ve saved after using

·         Create your own reusable travel kits

Plastic characterizes our consumer, throw-away culture. It represents the kind of thinking (and action) that has led to our current environmental crisis.

We’re addicted to convenience, much of which plastic makes possible.  If everyone moderates their consumption, we can move toward sustainability.

Take the plastic free challenge with me this month and send us your ideas about how to use less plastic! 

9 Tips for Using Less Plastic in the Garden

As we learn more about the consequences of single-use plastic, it’s becoming easier for us to reduce, reuse, and recycle the plastic we use in our gardens. 

Here are a few tips to get you started:

·         Start your own seeds from paper packets. Use biodegradable seed cups or make your own from toilet paper tubes, egg cartons, or newspaper. If you must use plastic containers, return them to the gardening center afterward, so they can be reused. 

·         Order topsoil, compost, manure, and mulch in bulk from a local supplier that will deliver.

·         When setting up a raised garden bed, instead of spreading black plastic on the bottom to smother weeds, use cardboard or layers of newspaper.

·         Avoid plastic-coated trellises for plants like tomatoes, peas, and beans. Buy uncoated metal cages or use wooden stakes.

·         Buy plastic-free garden tools. Look for wooden handles and metal ends. Keep your tools in good condition by cleaning them regularly and don’t leave them outside where they’ll develop rust.

·         Buy cotton gardening gloves. 

·         Make your own plant markers from popsicle sticks, wooden or old wooden kitchen spoons.

·         Start your own seed bank by storing seeds for later planting in glass jars.

·         Make your own weed killer. Here’s a recipe I use: 

1-gallon vinegar

1 ½ cups epsom salt

2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid

When you’re gardening this summer, always look for the plastic free options. Mother Nature will thank you.

Plastic Free July Challenge

Plastic is taking over our planet, and it is happening breakneck pace.  Almost half of the plastic ever manufactured has been made in the past 15 years. 8 billion pounds of plastic finds its way to the ocean each year.  At our current rate of plastic production, consumption, and disposal, the oceans will contain more plastic then fish by 2050! 

So, what can we do to stop this plastic consumption? I believe that action, even by a few people can make a difference. I decided to take the Plastic Free July Challenge again this year. This month, I will join tens of thousands of people around the world in an attempt to forgo plastic. I did the Challenge last year for the first time and it really made me look at how much plastic that I (and my family) use each day.

Simple ways to remove plastic from daily life:

·         Bring your travel mug to the coffee shop if you’re getting a cup to go

·         Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere

·         Give up plastic bags - you can try lining your trashcan with newspaper as shown in the Treading My Own Path blog.

·         Avoid plastic packaging – bring your own containers to the deli counter at the grocery store

·         Create your own home cleaning products using glass jars

·         Create your own reusable travel kits

Plastic epitomizes our consumer, throw-away culture. It represents the kind of thinking (and action) that has led to our current environmental crisis. We’re addicted to convenience, much of which plastic makes possible.  If everyone moderates their consumption, we will move toward sustainability.

Take the plastic free challenge with me this month and send us your ideas about how to use less plastic!