By Annie Kravet

July is here, so please join us in taking the Plastic Free July Challenge! Why bother reducing the amount of plastic that makes its way into your recycling bin each week? Although preferable to sending your plastics to the landfill or incinerator, it turns out that plastic isn’t the easiest material to recycle. It takes a lot of energy and water to recycle plastics. Additionally, many single-use plastics many of us use daily (snack wrappers, plastic straws, plastic lined paper coffee cups, etc.) are not able to be recycled at most facilities. Reducing and even eliminating these single use items from your life is a powerful way to say NO to the wasteful and toxic stream of plastic waste that is polluting our earth and oceans. It may not always be convenient or possible to avoid single use plastics, but it can be fun and empowering to try!

Here are five easy ways to get started: 

1. Make a “zero waste kit” to take with you before heading out for the day. This can include things you have around the house: A fork and spoon wrapped in a cloth napkin, a reusable to-go cup for coffee or tea (a mason jar works great for iced or hot drinks), a water bottle, and a tote bag. Leave your kit in the car or by the front door so you remember to grab it on your way out. 

2. Switch to bar soap - for hands, body, hair, and dishes!  That’s four items you no longer need to buy in a plastic container. 

3. Store your food without plastic wrap. There are many ways to get creative for this one: store leftovers in glass containers (save your pasta sauce jars!), simply place a plate over a bowl of food you wish to cover, or you can purchase beeswax coated cloth or reusable bowl covers.

4. Try loose leaf tea. Tea bags often come wrapped in plastic, and most tea bags are made with plastic, which unfortunately breaks down when placed in boiling water. Try making your tea with a tea strainer and loose leaf tea. It’s better for you, and the planet! 

5. Shop the TaSH! This year our market vendors have gone single-use-plastics free. If you get a bite to eat at the market, it will come in a compostable container. Compost it at the market, or add it to your bag/ container of food scraps at home and bring it down to the food-scraps drop off site by the train station. When possible, bring your own refillable container instead! A cup that can be used and washed over and over again is still gentler on the planet than getting a new compostable cup each time you buy a coffee or get a bite to eat. http://tashfarmersmarket.org

And one final tip: sign up for Plastic Free July! Head over to plasticfreejuly.org to find out more. It’s a great way to get inspiration and support on your plastic free journey. Follow TEAC_10591 on instagram for more tips for reducing plastic waste, find out what local business are doing, and share what changes your making by tagging #plasticfreejulytarrytown