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Pets

There are a number of ways to reduce your reliance on plastic when it comes to your pets. What you can do Notice and reduce the plastic in your home while reducing the plastic that your furry friend consumes. Dog Poop Use paper bags or newspaper when cleaning up your dog’s poop instead of plastic pop bags. Cat Litter Use cat litter that is packaged in paper rather than plastic. Pet Food Choose pet food that is packaged in paper rather than plastic. Choose packaging-free dog bones rather than those packaged in plastic. Pet Toys Choose pet items made from […]

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Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping is probably the largest source of disposable plastics in the Icelandic home. Here are some ways to reduce our plastic use: Bring reusable bags with you when you shop instead of using plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Choose products in paper packaging over products in plastic. Skip the plastic produce bags or bring your own reusable produce bags from home. Choose produce not packaged in plastic. Buy in larger quantities when possible if it reduces the ratio of packaging to actual product. At the same time, it’s important to avoid buying more than you need to minimize food […]

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Transportation

The threat of microplastics (defined as plastic particles with a diameter of 5mm or less) in the environment has only recently come to the forefront. It wasn’t until 2018 that the first study on microplastics in Icelandic drinking water was only carried out. View the study here in English. And according to government-commissioned research in Iceland, between 160 to 230 tons of microplastics are carried into the ocean surrounding the country each year, and the majority comes from vehicle tires. In the end, microplastics end up in our drinking water and the animals we consume. The most effective way to […]

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In the Bathroom

There are plenty of opportunities to reduce our plastic use in the bathroom. Some changes are simple; others take more effort. It’s actually possible to create a bathroom environment that is practically free of plastics if you’re willing to give it a try. Lotions & Soaps: Many personal hygiene products contain plastic particles. Avoid purchasing products that list polyethylene, nylon and polypropylene in their contents. Hand Soap: It’s an easy change to switch from liquid hand soap in a plastic bottle to bar soap sold in a paper wrapper. They last longer than liquid soap and take less space in […]

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In the Kitchen

The kitchen is a great place to start reducing plastic in your home. There are some quick and easy (but impactful) changes you can make.  What you can do You don’t need to throw away all of your plastic kitchen items at once. Instead, phase out your plastic use in the kitchen as things wear out or run out. Cooking utensils: When it comes time to replace or buy new kitchen items, opt for kitchenware, cookware, bakeware, and utensils made from wood, glass, metal, or ceramic. While we don’t believe buying new is best before an item has been used […]

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Holiday Season

There are number of ways to reduce our plastic when it comes to the holidays. Advent Calendars: Choose reusable advent calendar. If you wish to wrap individual advent gifts then use old magazines, newspapers, books or reuse wrapping paper from previous gifts. If your crafty, you can sew little bags for small gifts to create a hanging advent calendar that can be used year after year.  Plastic-free Gift Ideas: Candy Homemade bookmarks Pencils Socks or other small, useful items of apparel Body care products like soaps, bath bombs, toothpaste and bamboo toothbrushes Used toys Wooden pencils (you can break up […]

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Further Reading

Nature.is – www.natturan.is EU Commission on Climate Action – www.ec.europa.eu/clima/ The Environmental Agency of Iceland – https://www.ust.is/english/? The Environment & Planning Office for the City of Reykjavík – https://reykjavik.is/en/environment The Paris Agreement – https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/international/negotiations/paris_en What is the greenhouse effect? How much fossil fuel do we actually use?

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About Plastlaus september

Plastlaus september (or “Plastic-free September”) is an annual awareness campaign that began in September 2017. The campaign went well and it was clear that Iceland was ready and willing for change when it comes to environmental issues. The campaign happens every year with planning and support work spread out over the whole year including posts on plastic-free solutions on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as well as educational programs for companies and schools. The campaign has gathered considerable momentum since its inception with more people learning about the devastating effects of disposable plastics on the environment. The objective of the campaign […]

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The PS Team

Plastlaus september is a grassroots organization organized by people all over the country: General Executive Committee 2022Auður Bjarnadóttir, marketing and social media specialistCharlotte BieringElín Þórhallsdóttir, business ownerHelga Hauksdóttir, attorneyHildur Hreinsdóttir, sustainability specialistKolbrún Guðríður Haraldsdóttir, educatorNatalie Ouellette, marketing and PR specialistSalbjörg Rita Jónsdóttir, designer and photographerSteffi Meisl Stjórn plastlauss septembers 2022Chairperson: Natalie Ouellette, marketing and PR specialistTreasurer: Elín Þórhallsdóttir, business ownerBoard Members:Charlotte BieringKolbrún Guðríður Haraldsdóttir, educator /// General Executive Committee 2021Auður Bjarnadóttir, marketing and social media specialistÁsdís Ólafsdóttir, biologistElín Þórhallsdóttir, business ownerHelga Hauksdóttir, attorneyHildur Hreinsdóttir, sustainability specialistJonas Moody, writer & translatorJóhannes Árnason, project managerKolbrún Guðríður Haraldsdóttir, educatorNatalie Ouellette, marketing and PR […]

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Partners & Sponsors

The 2021 Plastlaus september team would like to thank the following partners and sponsors for their tremendous support. The Icelandic Ministry for the Environment & Natural Resources Mosfellsbær  Íslandsbanki Sorpa The Environmental Agency of Iceland // The 2020 Plastlaus september team would like to thank the following partners and sponsors for their tremendous support. The Icelandic Ministry for the Environment & Natural Resources The City of Reykjavík Reykjanesbær Hafnarfjarðarbær Sorpa The Environmental Agency of Iceland

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