Going completely plastic-free can feel like a daunting goal in a world where plastic is essentially, well, everywhere. Committing to doing your part to rectify the plastic crisis doesn’t need to immediately be an all or nothing pledge. You can start small. It may help to consider a few situations where you may incorporate single-use plastic in large quantities and start there with trying to find better alternatives for those situations. As an example, popular summertime activities such as cookouts and picnics are typically activities that involve many single-use plastic items that will inevitably end up on our beaches and in our waterways. The reality is, items found at cookouts and picnics – cutlery, plates, cups, food containers, bottle caps, etc – have all been found on beaches and in the ocean. In fact, each of the items listed are among the top 10 items most commonly found to pollute waterways and beaches across the world. The good news is, you can continue to enjoy cookouts and picnics as you always have, but with a plastic-free future in mind. Better alternatives are widley available including cutlery that is made of metal or that is made of compostable material, plates made of paper or bamboo, cloth napkins, and more! Learn all of the easy ways that you can swap out single-use plastic for better alternatives this summer by visiting the Ocean Conservancy’s article below. This summer, let’s all pledge to be a little more plastic-conscious so that we can be one step closer to a plastic-free world!
How to Have a Plastic-Free Picnic: Top Tips for an Eco Friendly Picnic
The Gentle Earth Journal 