what "single-use plastics" should i ditch?

Today marks the first day of “Plastic Free July,” a campaign that aims to decrease plastic waste worldwide. By “taking the challenge,” you commit to decrease your plastic consumption in one or all of three ways: refuse single-use plastics, target the takeaway plastics, or go completely plastic free.

In the past, I’ve gone completely plastic free, but because of recent changes in the wake of COVID-19, it’s just no longer possible for my family. So instead I’m back to focusing on refusing single-use plastics. My other goals for the month to reduce my environmental footprint: refuse single-use items of all materials (glass, bioplastics, paper) and eat vegan except for the occasional pasture-raised egg.

Ok, so what exactly are “single-use plastics?”

This morning I posted on my Instagram to ask if the plastic bag from a pound of pasta counts as single-use if I’m using it in just one meal for my family. Many said yes. I totally agree with that logic, but for my goals this month, I’m not going to count it. I’m going to continue to try to avoid this type of plastic, but I my journey about environmental issues over the years has made me realize the environmental footprint of a product is much more than just its packaging. For example, I’ve stopped drinking dairy milk even though I was able to get it in a reusable glass bottle, making it zero waste.

The National Resources Defense Council has a great deal of useful information about plastics and plastic pollution. They define a single-use plastics as “goods that are made primarily from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals) and are meant to be disposed of right after use—often, in mere minutes. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags.”

But even though definitions are great, we all know I like the nitty gritty. What EXACTLY should we be avoiding this month and onward? To help us out, I created two lists, below: 1) Definitely avoid, and 2) Try to avoid.

Have a read and tell me what you’d add to these lists!

Single-use plastics to DEFINITELY avoid consuming this Plastic Free July (and beyond):

  • Plastic straws

  • Plastic water bottles (come on, folks, it’s 2020!)

  • Plastic takeaway cups from cafes and restaurants

  • Plastic and bioplastic cutlery

  • Plastic or “paper” plates at restaurants or BBQs

  • Plastic produce or grocery bags

  • Individually packaged snack foods: granola bars, chips, fruit snacks, candy bars etc.

  • Individual juice boxes/pouches or other drinks meant for one person to consume in one sitting.

  • Meat or cheese that comes with plastic dividers between each slice. This includes cheese sticks!

  • Single-serving yogurt cups

  • Zip-lock bags for snacks or leftovers. Use reusable bags, glass jars, or even reusable plastic containers.

  • Plastic wrap and wax paper for cooking or storing leftovers

  • Six-pack rings (that commonly come on beer or soda cans)

  • Baby wipes, clorox wipes, makeup remover wipes, ALL DISPOSABLE WIPES!

  • Dental flossers

  • Q-tips

  • Balloons and other party decorations

  • Plastic ribbons and other gift wrapping

  • Disposable plastic gloves

  • Chewing gum (it’s plastic, you know!)

  • Glow sticks and other toy trinkets that won’t be played with longer than a few hours

Single-use plastics you should TRY TO avoid this Plastic Free July (and beyond):

  • Food in plastic packaging that you’ll consume during one meal.

  • Takeout containers that contain food to be consumed during one meal.

  • Disposable diapers

  • Disposable period products

  • Plastic tape (sure you gotta mail stuff and your kids like to craft, but use it sparingly!)

  • Plastic lighters (try long matches for lighting fires and camping stoves)

  • Plastic packaging that comes with shipped packages (from places like Amazon!)

composting, recycling, groceriesMelissa Colonno