Plastic Free July
To celebrate sustainability and the environment, we are participating in Plastic Free July, a global movement that focuses on limiting single-use plastic and reducing the amount of plastic that we waste every single day.
Imagine if you could see every single plastic water bottle you’ve ever thrown away. They would likely fill up your entire house, and that’s just plastic water bottles. Now imagine if you could see every single-use plastic item that you’ve thrown away. You’d probably have your own personal landfill.
Every year, Americans throw away roughly 22 billion plastic water bottles. Yes, that’s billion with a “B.” And every year, the average American throws away roughly 185 pounds of plastic. Imagine how much of that plastic waste you could eliminate if you made a small change and only used a refillable water bottle and took your own mug to Starbucks. Imagine the impact you could have if you did your part to reduce plastic waste.
Plastic Free July
Going completely plastic-free can be difficult, especially in a society that prioritizes convenience over quality. But there are so many small things you could do to reduce your plastic use. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to go to the farmer’s market or swap your shampoo bottles for shampoo bars. And besides that, it might actually be better for your health.
Now, more than ever we’re finding out about the potentially dangerous effects of microplastics on our health. Microplastics are—as you can imagine—microscopic plastic particles that have the potential to harm our immune systems and nervous systems along with our reproductive health.
Over the last few years, there have been multiple studies that highlight the potential negative effects of microplastics. One study found that microplastics leach bisphenol A and phthalates which are known to interfere with hormone cycles, especially in women. And another study found that styrene, another chemical leached by microplastics, is linked to nervous system issues and could potentially increase the risk of cancer.
Breaks my heart
So in an effort to keep the planet and ourselves healthier, we’ve compiled a list of the small things that we plan on doing to reduce our plastic use for Plastic Free July.
1. Instead of buying plant-based milk in a carton or plastic container, make your own. This might seem daunting, but it’s actually pretty easy. I use my Almond Cow, but you can always soak your nuts overnight and then blend with water to make your own nut milk.
2. Swap out shampoo and conditioner bottles for shampoo and conditioner bars. They do the job all the same but without the waste.
3. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store, or skip the grocery store entirely and support your local farmers at a farmers market.
4. Buy items like oats, pasta, nuts, beans, and more at a bulk store where you can bring your own refillable containers. In Miami, I love going to Verde to grab all these things. And you can also get laundry detergent and a variety of other household items there.
5. For food storage, use a beeswax wrap instead of Saran wrap or plastic containers. They’re easy to clean and keep food fresh just as long as plastic does sans the microplastics.
6. Eliminate plastic from your bathroom by using a reusable razor and changing up your toothcare routine.
www.plasticfreejuly.org
These are only a few of the things that you can do to reduce your plastic use and waste. You can always do more research and go to www.plasticfreejuly.org to learn more ways you can reduce your plastic use.
