Comments on: What is Your Favorite Plastic-free Tip?

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:29:47 +0000

If you have little kids and are worried about glass straws you can always used a wide, hollow, noodle.

By: Alina

Alina — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:18:20 +0000

Most important thing: don’t start trowing away the things you already have and buy new (plastic free) stuff. The whole point is to use it up and then reuse.
Reuse the plastic bags you already have, turn an old bed sheet or curtain into produce bags, make some cute sandwich cloth wrappings out of old pajamas, turn old pants into a sturdy reusable bag. Step by step you’ll be almost plastic free.

1. I keep 2 cardboard boxes in the car for shopping. They are easy to load/unload the shopping to/from the car and up to my flat. They are free and definitely plastic free.

2. Where there is no alternative to plastic, buy bigger containers. Ex: 10Kg detergent, 50 toilet paper rolls, 4L vinegar etc

3. Look into your disposables habit. I did not find alternatives for everything, but I wrote to the producers. Hopefully, someone will hear.

4. If you travel a lot, put together a travel kit with reusables.

5. If you try to educate the ones around you (and you should), make it by the power of example and in style.
The success of your campaign depends greatly on your image.
People will look at your hair, then at what you do, then at your reusables.
So dress up, do your hair and go change the world!

By: Victoria H. Bedford

Victoria H. Bedford — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:56:59 +0000

My favorite is to take an extra (inexpensive) cloth grocery bag to the supermarket and if the person in front of me doesn’t have one I simply ask whether they will accept a give. No one has ever refused me and they usually smile. This helps recruit new people to the anti plastic cause.

By: Monique

Monique — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:42:18 +0000

I buy less stuff! I have to laugh when I get these “save the earth” catalogs full of more stuff to buy! Everything created has an environmental price. I bought washable feminine pads. They are actually much more comfortable than having a plastic pad in my pants, anyway! LOL

By: kat zieg

kat zieg — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:28:22 +0000

I use glass jars for leftovers and wash and reuse- safer than plastic anyway-not good to put hot food in plastic.

I take my own “doggie bag” to restaurants. Sadly, it IS plastic, but it gets re-used (it’s a sturdy tuperware type thing, that I actually found in the street while biking to work several years ago) and it saves the restaurant $$ and there is one less foam box in the world.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:05:36 +0000

I´m going to add some 3 years refusals totals for you. Because over time individual actions REALLY add up.

By: diane merker

diane merker — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:31:49 +0000

We have come before the city council of Boulder Colorado requesting that they enact a ban or fine on the use of plastic bags in our city. I think our efforts are going to be successful, and we will join the many other cities and countries around the world getting rid of the use of “stupid” plastic bags!

By: Kristin

Kristin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:26:59 +0000

I just did a post about a plastic free challenge. I love your site! Keep up the great work.

By: Martha

Martha — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:56:05 +0000

Before buying anything that is plastic, I ask myself if there is a non-plastic alternative. Most of the time there is, it just takes a conscious effort and a little research. Plastic is everywhere—so plentiful, flashy and cheap—sometimes it’s hard not to be lured in. Especially with a new (first) grandchild, looking at toys is a real challenge. I’ve passed up so many adorable plastic/synthetic things—for lovely cloth and wooden items. Plastic-Free is a constant, on-going lifestyle choice. Thanks for all the continuing encouragement your website gives, Beth!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:23:11 +0000

Hi Emma. I enjoyed reading about your crazy day not using or touching anything plastic. What I would like to know is what you learned from the experience. I, obviously, use and touch a lot of plastics. My plastic-free commitment is not to buy any new plastic, and I also don’t use the most toxic plastics or use plastic for food contact. But your day was pretty extreme. Did you develop an appreciation for certain plastics? What conclusions did you come to?