Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people reduce plastic pollution and be kind to our marine life and our planet. The world population produces 300 million tonnes of plastic annually, with at least 50% being single use plastic. Plastic waste is choking our natural environment and devastating marine life at alarming rates.
Be a part of Plastic Free July and make simple choices to refuse single-use plastics to have cleaner streets, rivers, lakes, ocean and communities. Making small changes will collectively make a big difference!
10 ways to reduce your plastic waste:
1. Avoid using single use shopping bags. Shop with your own reusable shopping bags to avoid single-use plastic shopping bags which can take years to degrade. Carry a foldable bag in your purse and keep spare reusable bags in your car. Also, always say no to plastic produce bags. Every year globally, 5 trillion single use plastic bags are used.
2. Avoid purchasing beverages in plastic bottles. Invest in a reusable glass or stainless-steel water bottle. Not only is this good for the environment, it also saves you money. Approximately 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world according to UN estimates.
3. Bring your own re-usable containers for takeout or restaurant leftovers. Avoid styrofoam takeout containers. Even cardboard containers are sometimes lined with a thin layer of plastic.
4. Reuse and repurpose containers when storing leftovers or shopping in bulk. In our family, we lovingly refer to repurposed plastic containers as 'Ukrainian Tupperware'. If you choose to purchase food storage containers, opt for glass or metal over plastic.
5. Opt for paper box packaging instead of plastic when purchasing items such as laundry detergent or pasta. Cardboard is easier to recycle than plastic and paper products biodegrade more easily without adding a lot of weight to the product the way glass or aluminum can. Seek out companies that source their cardboard sustainably.
6. Avoid disposable plastic razors. Instead of tossing a plastic razor in the trash every month, consider switching to a razor with replaceable blades instead.
7. Shop your local farmers market and bring your own bags and containers. if the farmer offers containers for fragile fruit or vegetables, return them the following weekend.
8. Purchasing a reusable coffee mug. Disposable coffee cups might look like paper but they’re usually lined with a thin layer of polyethylene, a type of plastic resin. In theory these materials can be recycled, but most places lack the infrastructure to do so. Plastic lids, stirrers and polystyrene foam cups can all be avoided with your own mug.
9. Seek out zero-waste shopping options or stores that sell in bulk that allow you to use your own bags or containers. This will save both money and unnecessary packaging.
10. Avoid plastic straws when dining out. If you cannot fathom giving up the convenience of a straw, invest in a reusable glass or stainless steel drinking straw.
At ORESTA, we are mindful of the packaging used in our product packaging, shipping materials and ......................................... When our products are packaged in plastic, we ensure that it is BPA-free and recyclable.
INSTAGRAM CONTEST: HOW DO YOU REUSE EMINENCE JARS?
Eminence moisturizers are packaged in BPA-free recyclable plastic. During the month of July, join the Plastic-Free Global Challenge and share with us how you reuse your Eminence jar on Instagram. On July 31st, we will choose the THREE most creative ideas. All three winners will enjoy a jar of the Eminence moisturizer of their choice! Get creative! Post photos! Tag #plasticfreejuly #plasticfreejulyoresta @orestaorganics. We can't wait to hear how you make a difference!