Plastic Free July and Beyond, How to Take Action Now!

By Nicole De Santis

There has been a lot of news lately about the dangers of plastic. Microplastics are being found in humans, animals, waterways, and the air. There is a lot of research currently being conducted to determine just how dangerous this is for the health and well-being of the planet, and the humans and non-human animals and creatures that inhabit the earth. 

Hearing about the dangers of plastic and plastic pollution can be scary. Let’s face it; plastic is all around us and has become extremely hard to avoid. 

According to Greenpeace, it is estimated that 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our ocean each year, and 99% percent of plastic Is made from fossil fuels such as fracked gas and oil. 

So aside from the potential health risks that plastic presents, there is a huge environmental risk as well.  

According to the group Beyond Plastics, less than 6% of plastic waste is recycled and the other 94% is disposed of in landfills, burned in incinerators, or ends up polluting our oceans, waterways, and landscapes, after being used just once, often for mere minutes. 

The plastic recycling process itself is wasteful, and the reality is that we cannot recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. We must significantly reduce our reliance on plastic, especially single use plastic.

July has been declared “Plastic Free July” by many environmentalists. But the reality is if we are going to save the planet, we all need to be environmentalists! Since we cannot recycle our way out of the climate emergency, we need to focus on refuse, reduce, reuse and repair whenever possible. 

So how can you reduce your plastic use this July and all year long?  

See some actions you can take below! And contact Think Zero for help with all your waste reduction and diversion questions. 

Shopping local and Zero Waste at a farmer's market

Individual Actions 

• Carry your own reusable cup! Individuals can easily make the switch to reusables to minimize the number of single use cups that end up in the trash each day (most disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic and are not recyclable). When getting coffee to go, visit places that will let you bring your own cup! Some places will even offer a discount. When having coffee to stay, choose places that offer reusables.

• Carry a reusable bag (keep one in your bag or car so you always have it on hand) 

• Say no to plastic straws 

• Carry a reusable water bottle (& reusable cutlery). If you forget your reusable water bottle, do not purchase drinks in plastic, instead opt for drinks in glass or aluminum, which is highly recyclable (but be sure the can or bottle gets in to the recycle bin)  

• When buying groceries and produce, try going to farmers markets or shop at stores that do not wrap fruits and veggies in plastic

• Do you live in the NYC area? Consider going in person or getting delivery from Precycle, the package free grocery store. 

• Participate in a litter cleanup in your area (often held at beaches, parks, and by waterways)

Office Actions: 

• Do a competition in your office and challenge your co-workers to reduce their single use plastic consumption: Plastic Free July Challenge 

• 

  Colleagues at an office party using reusable glasses and dishes

  Consider eliminating unnecessary single use plastics (and other single use items) in your office: switch to reusable cups, plates, utensils and more  

• Use bulk condiments instead of single use

• Switch to bulk snacks from a company like Precycle

• When having an office event, be sure to serve drinks and food items in reusables. Consider a company like Cup Zero who can provide reusable cups and more for your next event.

Other Actions:

• Please join Think Zero this July for our first webinar specifically about plastic and its impact on the planet and health:

Think Zero: All About Plastics' Impact on Health & Climate, With Guest Beyond Plastics

• Consider teaming up with Think Zero and Oceanic Global to get Blue Verified in your office (The Blue Standard is an acknowledgement of plastic reduction and sustainable business practices).