| Plastic recycling is important but reducing plastic | | | | local coffee shop. They are easy to rinse with a |
| usage is our ticket to a healthier planet moving | | | | little soap and water. Carry a spare lid in your |
| forward. If we were reluctant to buy in to the | | | | purse, briefcase or car as backup. |
| mass hysteria surrounding plastic waste before, | | | | 3. Invest in a stainless steel refillable drinking bottle |
| recent news coming from reputable sources such | | | | or coffee mug and keep it in the car. According |
| as The New York Times and Sierra Club warn us | | | | to a Harvard study that was released in May |
| that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now twice | | | | 2009, drinking out of hard plastic polycarbonate |
| the size of Texas. The waters there have been | | | | bottles can expose you to bisphenol A (BPA,) a |
| described by scientists as "minestrone," containing | | | | potential endocrine disruptor. |
| plastic of all types and sizes, from identifiable | | | | 4. Opt out of using straws. Who needs them? |
| household items to confetti-sized litter. It remains | | | | 5. Use cloth bags for grocery shopping. Invest in |
| to be seen what can be done, if anything, to | | | | several bags so you can use them to transport |
| remove existing plastic from our oceans. | | | | fresh produce as well as other groceries. Many |
| Reducing plastic waste in our environment begins | | | | stores now sell their own line of |
| with you and me. Refusing plastic packaging | | | | economically-priced, signature shopping bags made |
| requires time and energy and difficult choices. | | | | of eco-friendly fibers! Reusable cloth bags are |
| Recycling the plastic we already have is also | | | | great for use at the farmer's market or for trips |
| time-consuming and challenging. | | | | to the pet store too! |
| Here are some easy tips on how to reduce plastic | | | | 6. Purchase foods packaged in glass jars. Run jars |
| in the household and even when you're on the | | | | and lids through dishwasher to recycle and reuse |
| move: | | | | for freezing or storage. |
| 1. Recycle computers and electronics through a | | | | 7. Travel with a collapsible stainless steel cup. |
| socially responsible recycling company does not | | | | 8. Select eco-friendly products when purchasing |
| engage in global dumping. Many computer | | | | household items such as totes, bins and storage |
| "recycling" companies ship plastic casing and metal | | | | containers. |
| parts left over after computers are dismantled | | | | 9. When you must buy products contained in |
| and the most valuable parts are removed. | | | | plastic packaging, reduce plastic waste by |
| Frequently these discarded parts are then shipped | | | | purchasing products packaged in biodegradable |
| to the poorest villages on earth, where they | | | | plastic and purchase in larger sizes when possible. |
| wreak havoc on the environment and the health | | | | 10. Use biodegradable plastic bags for garbage, pet |
| of the local residents. | | | | litter and dog walks. |
| 2. Reuse plastic coffee "To Go" lids from your | | | | |