Consumers :
you are
in charge
THE EQUATION IS SIMPLE
Let's follow this logic:
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If we keep buying a product,
they will keep selling it. Right?
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That puts a lot of power
into our hands.
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Where to start?
Grocery Stores
Bring your own bags
Do you ever think: "I wish I could live in a world where plastic bags are stuck in trees and rivers."
I doubt it.
Tip: Get a pretty key holder, install it by your front door, use it for your car keys and grocery bags.
Skip the produce bag unless you have your own
Will you wash your produce before consuming them? Most likely. So why bother putting them in flimsy plastic bags?
Tip: If you prefer having them organized, bring your reusable ones. Here are some good options.
Order at the meat counter: ask for waxed paper only, no plastic
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How much space paper takes in a trash? Barely any. Yay! Also, waxed paper degrades faster than plastic.
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Out and About
Let go of plastic bottles
We now know that plastic bottles don't get a second life even if you put them in the recycling bin. Tip: Treat yourself to a durable reusable stainless steel bottle and make it your best friend.
Express yourself with a to-go coffee cup
Tip: Get fashionable with your own designed reusable coffee cup.
16 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year. 16 billion plastic lids piling up in landfills and oceans. That's lame. Be cool instead.
Say no to single-use utensils & straws
Live fully. Use minimally.
At Home
Get a water filtration system
Tired of transporting heavy polluting water bottles from the grocery store to your home?
Tip: Get amazing tasting filtered water, without microplastics, to refill your stainless steel reusable to-go bottle and your glasses at home. Many options are available: Pure Green Corp, Berkey Filters, Brita and more.
Rethink your plastic containers
Who said a ziplock bag can only be used once?! Wash & Reuse.
Tip: Much better though; get silicone bags. Add them to your will and save generations of single-use trash! Also, switch to glass and/or stainless steel containers. Oh and cling wrap? No thank you; it's all about beeswax wraps!
Learn about your soaps
Tip: Avoid plastic packaging: buy powdered soap. Simply add water! It's fun to be a chemist. Have a blast discovering all the available options for all types of soap (dish soap, detergent, body, etc.). Make sure it ships in plastic-free packaging.
All Around
Be a sustainable shopper
Most clothing is now made with plastic. Tip: Open the door to an exciting world: thrift stores! They are real treasure boxes with used AND new items.
When shopping online, including for food, give your business to vendors that do not use plastic packaging and let the others know why you won't buy from them.
Party the right way
Hosting a party and/or have been invited to one? Look into plastic free options (the best are always the reusable items). If you are a guest, suggest helping the host with sustainable options and/or bring your own reusable ones.
Fall in love...all over again
Repair your stuff! Skip the mindfulness class and learn how to sew instead. Help stimulate local businesses by getting your shoes fixed instead of trashed. Buy quality, not quantity.
The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy.
– Joshua Becker
Annaig's ways
"My daughter, 8 years old, started taking choir lessons this year. Each parent has to commit to bring snacks and water at least once during the year for everyone at the rehearsal.
Last Friday, I was in charge of bringing the snacks and water. This a group of around 26 people, with students, aides, and teachers.
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I am part of the green team in our elementary school in Santa Monica, where my two oldest children are, and I am used to think about ways to make events, parties, snacks more sustainable and easy for everyone.
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I suggested to the professor in charge to try to organize a low-waste snack : pretzels by bulk, and apples. The goal is to make this break as quick and easy and without the use of individual plastic containers.
It is possible! Also, it was cheap and healthy."
Low Waste Snack
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PRETZELS BY BULK (I went to Co-Opportunity Santa Monica with 2 big glass jars and filled them up)
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14 ORGANIC APPLES CUT IN HALF
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A GALLON OF WATER IN A GLASS JAR
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REUSABLE GLASSES FOR INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS OF PRETZELS
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REUSABLE TABLECLOTH
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REUSABLE NAPKINS
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A CONTAINER TO GET THE COMPOST BACK