30 Day Zero Waste Challenge
Dear Plastic, It’s been one hell of a party, but it’s time to break up.
Plastic never goes away.
Plastic spoils our groundwater.
Plastic attracts other pollutants.
Plastic threatens wildlife.
Plastic piles up in the environment.
Plastic poisons our food chain.
Plastic affects human health.
Plastic costs billions to abate.
More here: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/the-movement/
10 EASY TIPS FOR LIVING WITH LESS PLASTIC (From Life Without Plastic)
- “Avoid the worst common plastics (see below for more detail)
- Refuse plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags wherever you go – heck, while you’re at it, REFUSE all single-use disposable plastics
- Avoid bottled water and bring your own reusable water bottle or mug with you when you go out
- Use non-plastic containers for food – lunches, leftovers, freezing, storage, take-out, travelling…
- Carry your own non-plastic cutlery and straw with you
- Buy in bulk to minimize or eliminate packaging
- Avoid over-packaged, processed, canned and frozen convenience foods
- Look around your kitchen and see what plastics you can replace
- Look around your bathroom and see what plastics you can replace
- Have fun living with less plastic – don’t let the enormity of the plastic problem get you down!”
Life Without Plastic offers this quick summary particularly if using them for food and drink:
2, 4 and 5 are OK for limited use;
AVOID 1, 3, 6, and 7 (polycarbonate)
MORE ON IDENTIFYING PLASTIC TYPES
Most plastic products have a number – the “resin identification code“. “Only six plastic types explicitly identified. Codes #1 to #6 each identify a specific plastic polymer commonly used in consumer goods all over the world. Code #7 is a general catch-all category which is essentially for every other type of plastic. We highlight a couple of the key common plastics that fall into this category.”
The resin identification codes:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code)
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Were “…developed by plastics industry to facilitate recycling.
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Codes do not guarantee recyclability.
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Codes do not indicate toxicity or safety.
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Only six plastic types explicitly identified. Codes #1 to #6 each identify a specific plastic polymer commonly used in consumer goods all over the world. Code #7 is a general catch-all category which is essentially for every other type of plastic.”
- #1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE or polyester) – most commonly used for cake trays, soft drinks, and pill bottles. Downcycled into carpet, furniture, and fleece.
- #2 High density polyethylene (HDPE) most commonly used for cleaning bottles, shampoo, milk jugs, and yogurt. Downcycled into fencing, floor tiles, and park benches.
- #3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or Vinyl or PVC) used for cooking oil, clear food packaging, mouthwash bottles. Downcycled into roadway gutters and cables.
- #4 Low density polyethylene (LDPE) used for bread bags, shopping bags, carpet, clothing, furniture. Downcycled?
- #5 Polypropylene (PP) used for cheese containers, syrup bottles, drinking straws. Downcycled?
- #6 Polystyrene (PS) AKA styrofoam used in take away cups, plates, and egg cartons. *known carcinogen; high rate of leaching into food* Landfill only.
- #7 Other (O) – all other plastics. Landfill only.
Learn more here:
https://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/store/common_plastics_no_1_to_no_7#.WwDSQi-3mog
EDUCATE OTHERS ABOUT PLASTIC –
“These resources are for teachers, community leaders, youth advocates, parents and anyone seeking to empower others to help stem the tide of plastic pollution.”
https://plasticpollutioncoalition.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/202673118-Education
Take the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s 4Rs Pledge
https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/take-action-1/#the-4Rs
https://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/store/ca/information
Quote of the Day
“Think about it. Why would you make something that you’re going to use for a few minutes out of a material that’s basically going to last forever, and you’re just going to throw it away. What’s up with that?” – Jeb Berrier, http://www.bagitmovie.com
