11/10/2016
Eight plastic habits to change. now.
1. Plastic cutlery. Totally wrong.
Do this: Carry a splade in your purse/bag* (a spoon, fork and blade in one). Or a “spork” – spoon and fork combo – one at each end – available from reChusable.com.
2. Straws. Don’t use one! 90 per cent of the debris found on Sydney beaches is plastic water bottles and straws.
Do this: Sip your drink, only use if there are biodegradable ones available at your cafe or invest in a stainless steel reusable one. And leave in your bag*.
3. Bottled water. In the US, 1500 plastic water bottles are consumed every second. Every SECOND. The plastic contains BPA and phthalates, both of which have a huge negative impact on our bodies. They also take 25 per cent of their volume in oil to make each bottle. That’s a lot of fossil fuels.
Do this: Drink from a tap. Invest in a Soda Stream. Take a reusable bottle with you in your bag* and fill up at public water fountains, at cafes or at work.
4. Takeaway coffee cups.
And if you’re wondering how dangerous the BPA in the lids is for you, I’ve ranted about that, too.
Do this: Use a JOCO Cup instead. We use these at our IQS office. And you can…keep one in your bag*.
5. Plastic toothbrushes. Yep, your plastic toothbrush needs to go. Most toothbrushes are made with nylon bristles, a metal staple to hold the bristles in place and the plastic handle. All need to be separated before being “processed” for recycling. And no, the plastic is not recyclable. (It’s a softer plastic, so these are usually turned into other products…but the plastic never goes away…)
Do this: Use a bamboo toothbrush.
6. Plastic shopping bags.
Do this: Keep reusable bags in your car. I keep an I Quit Sugar shopping bag (softened from much use) rolled up at the bottom of my main, daily bag.
7. Take away containers. Although not in circulation at the level of plastic water bottles, plastic food containers need to go, too. They contain chemicals that affect our bodies, and they also all end up in landfill. (And the ocean.)
Do this: cover dishes with a plate (stop using plastic wrap, too!). Use, and re-use, your Ziplock bags.
8. Plastic wrapped toilet paper. We’re buying paper…wrapped in plastic? Again, an easy fix.
Do this: Buy toilet paper that’s wrapped in paper. Preferably buy recycled. We do. Our office uses Who Gives a Crap. They tick all the right boxes and they donate a percentage of their profits to charity.
*If you find yourself thinking it’s ridiculous of me to suggest you carry such things in your bag, think about the fact you might already carry a water bottle already anyway, you’re fine to carry your phone, a spare jumper, etc. It’s really just about getting over yourself and adjusting.
http://www.sarahwilson.com/2016/09/8-bits-of-plastic-you-can-quit-right-now/