Tomorrow marks the start of Plastic-Free July! Given the current state of things where I live, finding plastic-free items (i.e. groceries) will be nearly impossible. Some produce can be found loose, but there are no bulk sections open right now. Some farmers markets are open…unfortunately, not near me. To be honest, being safe and healthy will take precedence over anything else. That being said, I will do my best to be as plastic-free as possible. When plastic can’t be avoided, I will look for other uses for the plastic. So many things (i.e. plastic produce bags, cartons, jugs, cutlery, etc.) are marketed as single-use even though they can be used multiple times when cared for.

This part is controversial, but I’m a realist. Do I think that my personal contribution is doing anything? No. What do I mean? I mean that no company is changing packaging simply because I am participating. Less waste isn’t headed to landfill because I’m not purchasing it. That waste is just being handled by a different purchaser. It takes more participation for companies to take notice and make change(s). What I’ve found makes more of an impact, as irritating as companies may find it, is to reach out directly (just don’t bombard them). E-mail companies and recommend that they change their packaging/materials, and hold them accountable. In a perfect world, plastic manufacturers would find a sustainable alternative that is just as versatile and durable. Perhaps a lot of this is a sign of the times. Things do change with the needs of the population. For instance, products came in paper, glass, and metal. Glass and metal are not as sustainable in a world where there are so many goods manufacturers, varieties of products, and such an abundance of…well…everything (in much of the world. I know there are areas where this is not the case).

Okay, that was a huge rant. There is much more to it, but we scratched the surface today. Sometimes things in life are not as simple as they should be. A plastic-free world is one of them. Anyway, I will be kicking off Plastic-Free July on a low note because I ordered a couple of things on Amazon which I needed, such as a new Apple Watch band because the one I have is gross and is staining my wrist. Most Amazon packages come with plastic cushioning, which we reuse along with the box. I also grab tea periodically (i.e. a few times a month), and the place is still not allowing personal cups. In case you are curious, I reuse or recycle the cups they give and typically never take a straw. I have plenty of those.

This month I have decided to collect plastic I accumulate and suggest alternatives at the end of the month. I’m sure I sound like a broken record, but medical waste does not count. In the time of this pandemic, I assume that there will be more plastic and usual, and that’s okay. All you can do is try your best. If plastics are not recyclable in your area, Terracycle may be able to help you out. They have several free programs along with their paid boxes. Terracycle breaks down the materials for reuse, which is awesome. As I’ve said before, whenever possible, I would rather have materials I purchase go through Terracycle once than to simply be tossed in the landfill. When you make a purchase, try to find out what they do about waste. It’s not just about what you accumulate, but what happens to waste starting at the top of the chain. Let us know if you will be participating this month. Remember that small changes can lead to bigger impacts. Until tomorrow.

Peace & Love, always!