Hey muffins, Happy Plastic Free July! š I cannot believe that this is already my third year participating in the challenge. This year I will actively post on this blog AND post every single week-day on my Instagram. Make sure to follow me to never miss any of the challenge content! While I shared a waste audit last year after the challenge came to an end, I donāt think I will be able to do so this year; I am moving mid-July which will ultimately result in me using more plastic than I would likeā¦ So, it seems kinda silly to collect it all and add to the chaos of moving across the state. Regardless of what I am doing, I challenge you all to try to collect all of the new plastic you use this month! š„° To kickoff this challenge I would like to discuss āold plasticā that you have in your home.
When making the decision to live more sustainably, there is a huge probability that there are already plastics in your house. Even if you have been doing little things to reduce your plastic consumption, there is no doubt that there will still be plastics around. So, what are you supposed to do with them when you decide to go plastic-free, zero waste, or āgreenā??? Here are my suggestions for dealing with old plastic that is already in your home!
1. Use Up Your Old (Single Use) Plastic!
After I made the decision to reduce my plastic consumption, the plastics I had in my apartment at the time stuck out: Saran wrap, Ziploc bags, plastic bags, food packaging, etc. It would be foolish to just throw all of this away! So, do what you would normally do and use it up. Eat those potato chips, use those bags for lunches. If you are able, try finding second uses for something that is āsingle useā. Reuse the Saran wrap or Ziploc bags or use plastic grocery bags for the bathroom trash. The important thing to remember this: when the plastic has been used up, find a new sustainable alternative that is plastic-free!
2. Recycle Them Properly!
As your plastic products start to dwindle, make sure to do your research. Disposing of it in the most eco-friendly way possible is a great step for Plastic Free July! Recycling, while not the best solution, is a great option for certain plastics. It is important to check your local recycling centerās guidelines on what plastics they will accept. There are also other ways to get rid of your used-up plastics including programs like TerraCycle. Even if you donāt think something can be reused, I suggest Googling it before chucking it in the trash! I was surprised to learn that some companies like Crayola even take back used up markers and pens. If you are unable to recycle or send back to a company, I suggest trying to find a new use for it in your home. This will still prevent it from sitting in a landfill for thousands of years! š
3. Keep Old Plastic and Use it!
If something is durable and will last a long time, then keep it even though it is plastic. What good is being āzero wasteā if you just add to the waste of a landfill by throwing out everything that isnāt āsustainableā? I have plenty of plastic still in my apartment from my travel toiletry bag to the hairbrush I bought five years ago. I am hopeful that they will last for many more years before I dispose of them properly.
In summary, it is important to utilize the resources you have already consumed. Whether you are trying to reduce your plastic or are on a journey towards living low waste (like me!), reusing what you already have should be the number one priority. Donāt buy sustainable products just because you want the aesthetic of an environmentally friendly home; a few pieces that have been reused for a long period of time is more helpful to Mother Earth! Will you be participating in Plastic Free July this year??
Love,
Jenna ā„
This is a great post! I am definitely trying to reduce my plastic use. Do you have suggestions on what to use instead of saran wrap?
I am so glad to hear that you are reducing your plastic usage! š There are a few options for switching from saran wrap. You can use beeswax wraps that are reusable as well as silicone covers, or you can just switch to using containers that have lids! I personally use mason jars for basically everything, and it was such an easy switch. Plus, my fridge looks so organized on the inside!
I think it is a really great idea to use things up. No sense being wasteful when you’re trying to reduce waste! I am definitely looking at ways to reduce the single use items in my place, so I really appreciate this post.
Great post! I love all your solutions for getting through the plastic you already have. I recently watched a documentary on Netflix on single use plastic, the history surrounding it and what it’s doing to us on the whole… and wow, once you start looking around you realize just HOW MUCH there is and how often you come in contact with it! From the coffee you get in the morning to buying produce at the grocery store, it is e v e r y w h e r e! I’ll definitely be using some of your tips, and working to reduce taking in new plastics from day to day. I especially think the thrifting (which I think I read in a different post but I hopped around a bit before commenting) is so important āĀ there are so many things we just buy new as a default. Picture frames, clothing, utensils, etc. and don’t think about the “why” behind it. Because really, there is so much *stuff* out there that is already made, it doesn’t make sense to spend even more money just because it is shiny and *new*! I used to work full time at a fast fashion clothing company… and the amount of plastic all the product came shipped in (daily btw!), before it even made it to the customers, was horrifying. And if we all just made conscious adjustments to how we handle and obtain plastic, we could probably improve things!!
<3
Keep in touch! š
– Lindsay
Thanks for this comment!! I totally agree with you – once I was inspired to start this journey I was utterly shocked by how much plastic I noticed every where… It was definitely fuel to my fire to keep up my sustainable switches to make a difference on the world around me. š