Happy July beautiful people! Not only is it grilling season but it is also time for plastic-free July! And the crowd goes wild!
PLASTIC STATS & FACTS
- Single-use plastic accounts for 40% of plastic produced every year.
- Plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
- Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years.
- Production increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Production is expected to double by 2050.
- Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.
- Plastics often contain additives making them stronger, more flexible, and durable. But many of these additives can extend the life of products if they become litter, with some estimates ranging to at least 400 years to break down.
- Once caught up in ocean current, plastic can be transported around the world.
- Plastic microfibers have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air.
- Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year.
Together, we can change that!
CHALLENGE | For the next 31 days (and beyond) say no to:
- Plastic water bottles,
- Plastic straws,
- Plastic shopping bags,
- Plastic cups and lids,
- Plastic utensils.
This July our goal is to do our very best to eliminate ALL plastics from our lives and this is a great place to start! Trust me, once you begin taking inventory of your plastic consumption in your kitchen pantry, bathroom cabinet and beauty closet you’ll soon realize that this lifestyle change won’t happen overnight. In fact, it will take preparation and intentionality. So here’s how you can replace the items I mentioned above and get on the right track for Plastic-Free July.
1. Instead of plastic water bottles, carry a reusable canteen like my Klean Kanteen! It is stainless steel, spill-proof and will not alter the taste of your water or coffee.
2. Say “no” to plastic straws whenever they are offered to you! If you must sip instead of drink, stainless steal, bamboo or glass reusable straws are a good option. Sip Straws is sending me glass straws to try just in time for this challenge. I will be sure to let you know how I like them and if you should give them a go.
3. Plastic shopping bags are so easy to replace. We all have canvas bags laying around in the house begging to be used. I also recommend getting a few mesh bags for produce. Now, the real problem is remembering to take your canvas bags out of the trunk of your car every time you go purchase something. An easy fix: keep your reusable bags on the front seat on errands day. For those who take public transit, invest in space efficient bags.
4. I’m a coffee lover and I’ve been enjoying my coffee, hot or iced, in one of Joco’s Glass Reusable Cups for a little while now. I have a 12oz (pictured) which I take with me on trips and 16oz which I use locally. I love how sleek they look, don’t burn my hands and how secure the lids are.
5. Last but not least, carrying your own utensils whether metal, wood or bamboo is a must this month! You already have metal utensils in your home. If they are too heavy to carry for your liking, try a set of travel bamboo or wooden cutlery. After each meal, rinse them off in the bathroom until you can properly wash them. Since most workplaces have a kitchen, dishwashing soap and a sponge shouldn’t be to hard to find.
Share your Plastic-Free July tips with me and together, let’s eliminate plastic waste everywhere!
Stats Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/plastic-pollution/