This is me walking with a friend this week along the Banana River Lagoon… I actually found a giant plastic bag while walking and started to fill it with plastic.
There have been multiple stories in the headlines recently about how the waves of plastics washing up on shore and choking our waterways. Birds & sea animals are being found dead with bellies full of small plastics. By now we are all aware of the giant whirlpool of trash spinning off the coast of California.
The images literally haunt me. And even though I’ve personally committed to changing my own consumer habits to reduce plastics in my life… as I sit here typing this I realize I have broken my own rule this weekend and purchased eggs in a plastic container and a bottle of fabric softener. Gah!
The other thing I’ve come to realize is that recycling isn’t the answer. I have the pleasure of attending a workshop put on by my city’s Sustainability Committee and our Waste Management provider. I learned I’m recycling ALL WRONG and about 40% of recycled material is going straight to the landfills. Did you know those plastic containers berries come in from the grocery store are NOT recyclable? And in most cases glass is sent to the landfill because there are no buyers for it…. <face palm>
During this presentation was the first time I had ever heard of “Wishcycling”. This is where you really don’t want to throw something out and toss it into recycling wishing and hoping someone will make something else out of it. But ITS NOT RECYCLEABLE. Become educated about what is and what is not recyclable in your town.
In the end… we must manufacture and consume less plastics. You as a consumer have the power to make this happen. I have dreams of living in a world where consumers have pushed major companies to go back to using materials in manufacturing that can be reabsorbed by the earth and not kick micro-plastics and chemicals back into our environment. I also dream of being the person who all those companies come to so we can figure out how to manufacture, package and sell items cleaner and greener. So bring it Target, Walmart, Nabisco, Proctor & Gamble, Hershey’s and every grocery store in the country…. I’m waiting for you.
I know this all seems daunting but you can make a difference in your homes and your business with very little effort.
First, take a hard look at your plastic consumption. Immediately what are the things that jump put to you? Take a look at the following suggestions and see if you can implement them into your daily life…
Switch to bar soaps.
Use bar soaps instead of buying plastic pumps in the bathrooms.
In your business you can take this idea to the next level by partnering with a local soap maker and let them put their soap in your bathrooms and sell their products at your business. Win/Win.
Stop using plastic bags.
I play a game with myself… every time I forget my reusable bags I have to buy more. I also request paper when available.
In your business do you offer plastic bags to your customers? STOP. Figure out how to either use paper bags or make using reusable bags part of your customer experience.
Stop using plastic straws and other single use plastics.
Prior to 1960 every single human ever born just drank out of a cup… without a straw or a plastic bottle. <GASP> Get yourself a fancy reusable cup and get to work.
In your business stop giving away plastic straws and cups. Make customers ask for straws. Take this one to the next level and up-charge for paper or bamboo straws.
Take a look at the packaging of the items you are buying… gifts, food, candy, snacks, drinks etc…
When purchasing items… take a look at the packaging is there an option without plastic?
Corporate giveaways and gifts. Stop ordering little plastic items with your logo on them….. A. We don’t want your plastic crap. & B. Choose to make a difference and not contribute to the problem. Instead choose items like reusable straws, bags, or here’s an idea… go back to that local soap shop and have them toss your logo on some cool soap. Or maybe you have a cool local coffee shop that will toss your logo on some Free Trade coffee… the ideas are endless.
Feeling inspired? Awesome. Tag us with your own Awesomeness. @tealreef
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