Breaking Free From Plastic
It’s not your fault that 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans every year. We didn’t create the material that is harming human lives and the planet. Yet, we are left to deal with it because oil companies refuse to take responsibility for the waste they are creating. To stop this problem, we have to break free from plastic.
Fifty of us watched the premier of The Story of Plastic last week to learn more. On Monday, we chatted about what we can do to help! We know there isn’t one quick solution. It will take all of us doing as much as we can, whenever we can. And, encouraging others to do the same. So please join in!
Here are ways we came up with that will help you and others break free from plastic:
1. Spread awareness
Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about plastic. The full scale of this problem is often hidden from sight. Help people learn more by writing an article for your local news, such as Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Milwaukee Independent.
2. Encourage folks to learn more
Talk to people about The Story of Plastic and other documentaries about plastic. The more people know, the more likely they’ll be inspired to act.
3. Contribute to local efforts
Committed and passionate people are already working on this. Join them! Check out Plastic Free MKE and Milwaukee Without Plastic to help out. Support plastic-free stores like The Glass Pantry!
4. Help remove barriers
Find out why it’s hard for some people to stop using plastic and help find solutions. Share information and resources that have been helpful to you.
5. Stay positive – we’re making progress!
More legislation has passed in recent years than ever before. More people are aware of the situation. And more people are committed to taking action to help. Your efforts make a difference!
6. Lead by example
Make plastic-free choices in your own life. Demonstrate to others how you’re able to make these solutions work. Be a positive role model for the younger generations that will continue to be impacted by this problem.
7. Take this time at home to evaluate the plastic in your life
What plastic-free habits do you want to keep up with? What plastic habits do you want to break? Do a plastic audit to see what plastic is in your home and where it’s coming from.
8. Ask local companies to be leaders in eliminating single-use plastics
We’re proud of our city. We love our local businesses. Let’s ask local businesses to make us proud to support them by eliminating single-use plastics.
9. Remind folks that it is possible to change our habits
Responding to COVID-19 has been a challenge, but we’ve been able to adapt. And quickly. We’re very capable people! Let’s apply that same urgency to responding to the plastic crisis and climate change.
10. Take care of yourself
Take on what you’re able to when you can. It’s ok if you have to take a break or aren’t perfect. Jump back in when you can! Your health is a priority. Good health will lead to greater success.
11. Recognize that the plastic crisis impacts our health and social justice issues
This is more than just plastic in the ocean. Oil spills, emissions from incinerators and manufacturing, and more are impacting our health. They are also disproportionately impacting some communities over others.
12. Make plastic-free sexy and cool
Because it is! Make it the cool thing to do so others want to participate. Encourage people who influence others to support plastic-free initiatives. Support those that do.
13. Recognize your buying power
Boycott companies that are contributing to the plastic crisis. Support companies who are working to stop it. Money speaks loudly!
14. Start or contribute to a marketing campaign
Oil companies are great at marketing. So we need to be great at marketing. Promote the positives of being plastic-free and plastic alternatives. Don’t let people forget about the positive environmental impacts that have happened during this time. Hold On To Your Butt MKE is a great campaign to prevent plastic pollution from cigarette butts.
The plastic crisis is a big problem. We know it can feel overwhelming. But with each of us doing what we can, we can stop the companies responsible for it. We can break free from plastic!
Do you have other suggestions? Leave a reply and let us know! Do you want to see what other viewers had to say? Check out The Story of Plastic: Virtual Screening & Discussion page and join in! Please share this so others can break free from plastic too.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE! THIS IS MY FAVORITE. PEOPLE SEEM TO LEARN BY WATCHING OTHERS DO GOOD THINGS, SUCH AS RECYCLING AND GETTING EXCITED ABOUT WHY THEY ARE DOING IT. THEN, HOPEFULLY, ONE BY ONE, TEN BY TENS AND SO ON, WE WILL HAVE MORE AWARENESS AND A MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD!
Agreed! I think it is a really powerful thing we can do that has such a ripple effect. Really good point about doing so with enthusiasm to get folks excited!
Sexy and cool! Sign me up! However I do agree with this. Before I made a switch to bringing my own metal utensils at my last job, where they ordered plastic forks, knives, and cups, I always felt so bad grabbing that fork from the drawer and then throwing it away. Then I found some cool lunch things from World Market. Along with metal utensils I found containers made out of steel and glass that I could bring in for my lunches. People noticed! They always commented on my containers and my glass water bottle (which at that time was unheard of… how silly) I noticed other people suddenly had cool lunch containers as well and gold forks and other “trendy” things. However! Even if it was trendy, and we all thought we looked a little cooler with our lunch supplies and others joined in… it worked! I guess looking cool and trendy can help! I love that places especially like IG are promoting sustainable products as well and are often out of stock because people are buying quickly. Probably for the trend, but at this point I’m not even mad about it! 🙂
That is so great to hear how that worked in your office! It may have even inspired the folks in their household to do the same, and then maybe even their co-workers! Super cool.
I can also be a little hesitant about trends since it can lead to unnecessary consumption. But in this case, I think it’s important to recognize that these are investments and tools to help reduce consumption of unnecessary plastic and packaging. Yay!
Fun update! I reached out to 3 local companies since we came up with this list – 1 was already in the process of switching to compostable packaging, 1 is seeking alternatives but hasn’t found a feasible solution yet, and the last I was able to offer solutions to! I was so excited to see business owners so interested and receptive. Way to go local businesses!