Celebrate Earth Day all year long!
We believe every choice matters. Creating a more just and sustainable future requires both bold systemic change and mindful shifts in our daily lives. From how we do laundry to the way we shop for groceries or hygiene routines, each decision has the power to reduce plastic waste (or add to it!) Sustainability starts with the everyday. Many of the same values—like sustainability, care for the environment, and thoughtful consumption—are at the heart of both fair trade and zero-waste lifestyles.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the generation of plastics in 2018 was 35.7 million tons in the United States alone. And did you know that just 20 companies produce 55% of the worlds single-use plastics? Together we can be part of the change! We are surrounded by single-use plastics, but we have the power to choose differently. Thoughtful, sustainable alternatives can easily become part of daily life. Join the Plastic Free Movement! Their mission is “informed by core values of honesty and integrity, finding solutions, inclusivity of people, ideas, visions and approaches, and the belief that small changes add up to a big difference." For some simple ways to get involved with the Plastic Free July campaign, we’ve rounded up five plastic-free options for you that are cost effective in the long run, ethically made, and practical alternatives to adopt year round.
Opt out of dryer sheets: Choose dryer balls!
Did you know that dryer sheets are made of synthetic polyesters that can take between 20 to 200 years to breakdown? Making the switch to a biodegradable material such as wool or felt is a great way to make your laundry load a little more eco-conscious. These dryer balls are made of 100% wool and do just the trick for your laundry load by reducing static and drying time.
Bring your own tote bag
Whether you’re buying poultry at the store or produce at your local farmer’s market, bringing your own cotton tote bag is always a good idea. Choose from options such as one of these colorful printed totes from The Tote Project. Every pouch and tote is created with fair trade certified cotton and block printed with a water based ink.
Use cloth napkins
Carry a cloth napkin wherever you go! Swap the paper and swab with a soft cotton alternative that can be reused over and over again (and gets softer with every wash!) Our favorite are these reversible kantha napkins, hand stitched in India. They come in a variety of bright colors!
Drink loose leaf tea
Individually packaged tea bags may be convenient, but often, the tea leaves are actually the “dust” from broken tea leaves and limited in freshness and variety. If you’re a tea drinker, choosing loose leaf tea is the way to go in terms of quality, quantity, and plastic use reduction. Grab a tea strainer and try our staff favorite JusTea’s Purple Tea. A whole tin makes approximately 40 cups! JusTea partners directly with Kenya tea farmers to provide ethical, sustainable, fair trade tea and creates opportunity in their communities.
Save leftovers with reusable dish covers
Ditch the cling wrap! Halo Dish Covers makes practical dish covers that help reduce single-use plastic waste, while offering hope to South Africans through the creation of much needed employment opportunities. Their production supports home-based and small worker-owned groups in communities facing challenging living conditions on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa.
Here is a handy calendar to follow along. We can rely less and less on plastics each day!
Thanks for reading! For more information on what Plastic Free July is all about, visit PlasticFreeJuly.Org.