Congratulations! Being on this page IS the first step! With a little bit of effort and a lot of love for this planet, you can have a big impact by making small changes and better choices in your everyday life.
Want to take a deeper dive into the information and data about the plastic problem or have questions? We’ve got you covered in our about plastic section.
Overall, we all know we need to reduce our consumption, but we all do what we can, where we can, and when we can. Living life with less plastic is about progress, not perfection. So get inspired with our list below and begin your journey towards a more plastic-free life!
Choose at least one of the steps you’ll take from the action list and commit to the Plastic-free September challenge:
Minimize consumption
Practice mindful shopping. Before making a purchase, ask yourself: Do I need this? Or, do I need this much?
Avoid buying produce wrapped in plastic.
Choose packaging-free produce and bring your own reusable produce bags when needed.
Stop buying plastic bags.
Use reusable bags, paper bags, cardboard boxes, backpacks or other reusable containers.
Stop throwing plastic in the garbage.
Recycle all of your plastics.
Avoid buying dry goods in plastic packaging.
Choose dry goods (pasta, dried fruit, etc.) in paper packaging, buy in bulk or fill your own container from bulk dispensers.
Avoid buying soaps, detergents, and cleaning solutions in plastic packaging.
Choose soaps and detergents in paper packaging, make your own cleaners and buy bar products instead of bottled.
Avoid buying meat and fish packaged in plastic.
Consider buying from butchers and fishmongers who package in paper or ask them to package products in your own container from home.
Avoid buying from plastic polluting companies
A quick internet search will reveal the world’s biggest polluting companies. From there, you can make more informed choices on your next trip to the store where you can ask yourself: Is there a better alternative?
Stop using plastic trash can liners.
Use paper bags or line trash cans with newspaper instead of plastic bags. By composting food scraps in a separate bin, you can avoid wet trash and the trash can stays much cleaner.
Stop buying bottled water.
Fill up a reusable bottle.
Stop using disposable plastic cups when ordering drinks.
Bring your own reusable drink container or drink your beverage on site. Decline plastic lids.
Stop using plastic bags to clean up dog poop.
Use cornstarch bags or newspaper.
Prevent trash items from ending up on the street or blowing out to sea, like balloons and tobacco products.
Keep a tight hold on balloons so they don’t blow out to sea. Make sure tobacco products end up in the trash, not on the street.
Avoid using plastic resealable snack and storage bags and plastic food wrap.
Use reusable bags and beeswax wrap and store leftovers in reusable glass or stainless steel containers.
Stay away from cosmetics with microplastics.
Ensure your products don't have “poly-” ingredients and check products using the Beat the Microbead app.
Prevent plastic litter from ending up on the ground and in the sea.
Pick up plastic litter and place it in recycling receptacles.
Avoid buying soda in plastic bottles.
Use soda makers or buy soda in glass bottles.
You're doing your part! How long will you commit?
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