Break Up with the Bottle – Avoid Purchasing Beverages in Plastic Bottles
- BYO reusable water bottle with you when you leave home.
- Need help choosing your next reusable water bottle, or buying one for a friend? Here are some Water Bottle Product Reviews.
Be Plastic Bag Free – Remember to BYOBags!
- BYO large reusable bags for carrying groceries.
- BYO smaller reusable bags for bulk items and produce. Here are some Produce Bags on the market
- Keep forgetting your bags? Here are 4 tips to help you remember to BYOBags:
- Add “bags” to the top of your shopping list
- Hang your bags next to the front door, or keep a collapsable bag in your purse or coat pocket
- Put a reminder note on your dashboard
- Take your bags OUT of your trunk and put them next to your keys, wallet, purse, or jacket
Be a Smart Shopper – Avoid Purchasing Items in Plastic Packaging
- Buy in bulk whenever possible; grains, spices, and snack mixes are often less expensive in bulk! Here’s a guide to help you buy bulk in Oregon
- Get your fruits & veggies from a farmers market or store where produce is sold loose, not pre-packaged.
- Purchase meat or fish from a butcher or local fish market and ask for it to be paper-wrapped, rather than buying meat in plastic packaging from the grocery store.
Ditch the Disposables – BYO To-Go-Ware or “Choose to Refuse!”
- BYO Insulated Mug:
- Fix your caffeine fix by carrying your own insulated mug for coffee or tea; your drink will stay hotter longer!
- BYO Reusable Utensils:
- Invest in reusable utensils, like this titanium spork or this bamboo-ware utensil set
- BYO Containers / Jars:
- Invest in glass or stainless steel containers to carry your lunch to work or school.
- BYO takeout container when dining out.
- Reuse empty jars for leftovers.
- Cups, Lids, Straws:
- Go Topless! Choose to refuse a lid with your beverage.
- Request “No Straw Please!”
- Choose to slow down and appreciate your beverage “For Here” in a ceramic mug.
- ***CONSTANT VIGILANCE is necessary to avoid single-use plastics in today’s convenience culture. Stay quick on your feet when ordering out!!! If there’s time, explain to your friendly barista/server/cashier about your goal to live plastic-free — you’ll probably make a new friend! You can even request that they let management know that customers are requesting plastic-free options.
In the Kitchen
- Get creative with containers; reuse glass jars and other empty food containers for storing leftovers or bulk items.
- Substitute Beeswax Wraps for plastic wrap / aluminum foil / sandwich bags (DIY Beeswax Wraps Instructions Here!)
- Use glass or stainless steel containers instead of sandwich bags.
- Use cloth napkins to avoid plastic packaged single-use napkins. (DIY cloth napkin tutorial here!)
- Save cookie tins or repurpose a cardboard box by lining it with a kitchen towel to fill with baked goods.
Personal Care
- Try a bamboo toothbrush — available at many health food stores.
- Consider using solid toiletries like shampoo bars, bar soap, and powders that come with less packaging; if you prefer liquid soaps and shampoos, purchase these in bulk from a refill shop.
- Choose to use a washcloth rather than a plastic loofah.
- Choose metal razors with replaceable blades instead of disposable plastic-handled razors.
- Find plastic free deodorant (like rock salt) or make your own.
- Try a menstrual cup rather than tampons, or choose cardboard applicators rather than plastic.
- Wear natural fabrics
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