Nature's Voice Our Choice

Join Us in the Challenge to Eliminate Disposable Plastics in our Lives
One Month at a Time 

As a baby, this turtle got entangled in a plastic ring, which nearly bisected him as he grew.

The Problem With Plastics

Early this Fall, while standing on the banks of the Elizabeth River in Portmounth, VA, my son and I counted 25 peices of plastic floating by in less than 5 minutes.  Not only are plastics unsightly in the water, they also harm aquatic plants and animals.  Debris from plastics bags and small plastic pieces are eaten by fish, birds, and aquatic animals who mistake the brightly colored floating pieces, for food.  Unable to digest the plastic that fills their stomachs, they starve to death.  Or they become entangled in plastics and drown.  Or, as seen in the turtle above,  it grows into their bodies.

We all recycle when possible and certainly don't throw plastics into rivers, lakes, or oceans so we are doing your part, RIGHT?  Wrong!  The only way to keep plastics out of our oceans and waterways is to stop buying them and stop throwing them away.  It is extremely difficult to eliminate all plastics from our lives, but paying attention to what we use and buy you can reduce them.  WHAT CAN YOU DO? 
 
Starting October 1st, 2008 we began a Campaign to Eliminate Plastics.  This is Something everyone can do with a little effort.  Make it a challenge, a goal to work towards eliminating disposable plastics in your life, one month at a time.  We will give you a new plastic to ‘give up’ each month and provide you with tips, links, and information on buying alternatives.

October, 2008  -- Month 1 – Stop Using Plastic Grocery Bags

If you haven’t already, go out and buy several reusable canvas shopping bags (they are available at every supermarket now).  Put them in your trunk and take them with you EVERYTIME you shop.

For years I’ve used the excuse that I need the plastic bags because I use them as trash bags.  But the truth is, I get many more bags than I need and now biodegradable trash bags (made from cornstarch) are available.

November, 2008 -- Month 2 -- Stop Using Plastic Produce Bags 

Now that you are in the habit of carrying cloth bags, and using them, lets look at how to eliminate plastic produce bags.  You don't want all those plastic produce bags, but........
Where do you put your apples, green peppers, and potatoes?  
Paper bags are a good solution!  You can purchase them at hardware stores, department stores, in bulk at Sam's Club and on line.  You can get 500 bags for about $14.00.  500 bags should last you a lifetime.  Store the paper bags along with your cloth bags and reuse them until they fall apart and then recycle them.

December, 2008 -- Month 3 -- Stop Using Saran Wrap

Saran wrap is very popular for covering lefovers in the refrigerator, wrapping and covering baked goods, and covering dishes in the microwave; However, there are many simple alternatives to saran wrap.

Try wrapping baked goods in wax paper and then sealing the package with decorative sticker or tape.  
Place leftovers and baked goods in reusable tupperware dishes.  Or place a saucer plate over a bowl of leftovers in the refrigerator.  Place a microwave safe plate over your dish when heating it in the microwave. 

January, 2009 -- Month 4 -- Stop Buying Ziplock Bags

Ziplock bags, the seemingly convient way to store cheese, meats, leftovers and the quick solution to packing lunches.  However, disposable ziplock bags are not recyclable or reusable and are a enomorous waste.

There are a huge variety of reusable containers available on the market in all shapes and sizes.  Try packing lunches and storing leftovers in reusable sturdy tupperware, freezing meats in freezer paper, and packing snacks in reusable containers.

As Consumers we drive the production of plastics,
if we stop buying them,
they will stop being made