1. Reduce Your Use of Single-Use Plastics

    Single-use plastics are used once and then discarded. Refusing single-use plastics is one of the greatest steps you can take to support action against climate change. 

• Refuse single-use plastics such as:

  • Plastic Shopping Bags

• Plastic produce bags

• Plastic cutlery (forks, sporks, knives, spoons)

• Plastic straws

• Plastic water bottles

• Plastic/Styrofoam take-out or to-go containers

• Plastic containers

• Plastic cups

• Six-pack rings

• Plastic toothbrushes

• Cotton swabs with plastic stems

• Plastic tape

• Products containing microbeads (some face scrubs, toothpastes, and body soap)

• Choose reusable options such as:

  • Canvas or other reusable bags

  • Metal cutlery or other reusable silverware

  • Paper or stainless-steel straws

  • Reusable drink bottles and cups

  • Buy products in boxes/glass/aluminum instead of plastic

  • Wax paper, foil, or silicone wraps & covers

  • Bamboo toothbrushes

  • Swabs that have paper stems

  • Masking tape

  • Use bar soaps & shampoos instead of liquids sold in plastic containers

  • Look for products/brands that don’t use microbeads 

2. Support Legislation to Curb Plastic Production and Waste

Learn about local and/or global efforts efforts to write climate change action into law  

• In 2015 Portugal included a tax on producers of €0.10 (around $0.12) per bag for certain sizes of plastic bags. 

• In 2016, the Marshall Islands instituted a ban on the importation, manufacture, sale or distribution of Styrofoam cups and plates; disposable plastic cups and plates; and plastic shopping bags while promoting recycled paper bags and reusable bags

• In 2018, Panama created a ban on plastic bags

3. Recycle Properly

• Check out the Ecenter’s webpage on recyclable materials and materials that must be thrown into a landfill 

• Take a second to consider if an item is recyclable, compostable, or trash

4. Participate In (or Organize) a Beach or River Cleanup

• Our July Newsletter newsletter featured the importance of clean, fresh water

• Check out local clean-up efforts, such as those by Wildlife Restoration Volunteers

5. Spread the Word

• This Summer, environmental activists staged death by plastic, a performance art piece calling attention to plastic’s direct affect on climate change

• Watch or host a viewing party for a environmental-conscious movie or documentary 

• Share this article with your friends!

6. Support Organizations Addressing Plastic Pollution

Some organizations include:

•  Oceanic Society

•  Plastic Pollution Coalition

•  5 Gyres

•  Algalita

•  Plastic Soup Foundation