Plastic Free July Campaign
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? Here are 31 ways you can fight plastic in the month of July. 31 ways in 31 days:
- Join a movement such as @plasticfreejuly and #Breakfreefromplastic and make a pledge.
- Pledges should be realistic! Set a goal that you can actually accomplish. This can be small such as learning how to recycle more effectively, or you can go all out by trying to avoid all single-use plastics.
- Get involved in your community by volunteering for a river, beach, or community clean up. We will be hosting The Big Clean on August 16th.
- Some local organizations who host these events are @ktmbeautiful, @KeepTahoeBlue, @Thenatureconservancy, @cleanuptheplastic, @keeptruckeegreen
- Watch at documentary on plastic pollution
- The Story of Plastic documentary was aired for the first time on Earth day of this year, April 22nd, on the discovery channel and is available to watch a free virtual screening. Check out these virtual events here to sign up for one near you: https://www.storyofplastic.org/community-screenings/join
- Learn to DIY
- Try out new recipes like making your own bread or yogurt instead of buying all those plastic yogurt containers.
- Or try to make a piece of artwork of plastic waste, repurposing.
- Learn more about recycling.
- Did you know you can’t recycle plastic grocery bags or Styrofoam containers in the Reno single-stream recycling program? Or did you know you are expected to clean and dry all recyclable materials before tossing them into the recycling bin? If not, then learning what is acceptable in your recycling bin will be very beneficial to recycling plastics more effectively.
- Learn more about reno single stream recycling here: http://reno.wm.com/recycling-facts-and-tips/
- Learn more about how to recycle non-recyclables
- Have you heard of @uni.cycle.nv, or @Terracycle? TerraCycle recycle non-recyclables like plastic contact lenses and toothpaste tubes into new plastic products such as park benches. Check out their free programs and find a collection site near you!
- https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades
- Support or donate to a cause or organization whose mission is to fight plastic pollution
- Some local businesses, nonprofits, and causes you can support: @cleanuptheplastic, @ktmbeautiful, @KeepTahoeBlue, @uni.cycle.nv, @blackrockrefill, @driscience, @ucdavistahoe
- Sign up to a newsletter
- Signing up to newsletters regarding a certain topic such as plastic pollution will help you stay up to date on plastics in the news!
- @plasticpolutes, @breakfreefromplastic, @surfrider, etc, find one that interests you!
- Learn more about the R’s
- Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Refill, Repurpose, Rethink, Rot, then … recycle.
- Get your kids interested
- There are many different educational resources for students available that introduce the ideas of plastic waste in an educational way.
- @driscience, @drisciencealive, @Keeptahoeblue, @ucdavistahoe
- Conduct a home waste audit
- Record all the waste that your household produces in a given period of time, like a week, and see where you can start reducing! Knowing what you are throwing out will help you rethink about alternatives for wasteful habits.
- Support a local small business that promotes the R’s
- @blackrockrefill, @thenestreno, @strangebikinis, @bluedotwater, @downtoearthcomposting, @shearperfectionsreno
- Write a letter to your local store or restaurant to ask them to consider finding an alternative to plastic bags, or straws, and utensils.
- Influence others to get involved. The best way to convince someone is to show your true passion. When you show someone you truly care about something like the health of our planet people notice! So keep talking!
- Opt out of junk mail!
- DMAchoice.org to stop junk mail direct mail
- Optoutprescreen.com to stop credit card and insurance offers
- Yellopagesoptout.com to stop receiving phone directories
- Discontinue catalog subscriptions and magazine subscriptions
- opt in for green billing (paperless billing) and try online banking
- Avoid synthetic fabrics for clothing and linens
- Synthetic fabrics are usually made from plastic materials which ultimately shed off in the form of microfibers in the wash.
- Don’t be so delicate!
- Washing clothes on the delicate cycle uses more water thereby producing more microfibers that shed off of synthetic clothing and enter the water system.
- Don’t use a second rinse on the washer to prevent more microfiber shedding
- Try wearing clothes more than once before washing
- One major source of microplastics in our environment is from rubber tires
- Most tires are made from synthetic materials which shed off during wear
- Try carpooling, or riding your bike more, or even consider walking to your nearby store or school rather than driving. And hey, this will help reduce carbon emissions as well, so a win win!
- Another major source of microplastics in our environment is from the breakdown of plastics such as plastic bags and water bottles.
- Try avoiding single use plastics such as plastic straws, utensils, water bottles, and plastic bags. Bring your reusable options instead!