Every Single Use Counts: 12 Plastic Habits to Quit for a Healthier Puget Sound and Future

Posted on by pugetsoundstartsheretoday

Plastics pollution is impacting our health and habitat, but together we have the power to create a better life — one single choice at a time.

What if every single plastic used never truly went away, but instead lingered with you and your family forever? It would probably look shockingly bizarre, like a crudely AI-generated image of a hoarder with three arms holding 25,000 empty plastic coffee cups, or a beach scene littered with discarded plastic cigarette butts morphed into salmon sushi. These images are fake, but the impact of plastics is real.

Note: Images in the #EverySingleUse video above were made using AI to highlight how single-use plastic norms in real life look stranger than fiction when you pause to notice.

Personal plastic habits are such a part of our lives, we often don’t connect our daily routines with the effects of plastics pollution. And when we do, it can seem overwhelming or hopeless to change. Plastics can be found everywhere on the planet — in the sea, in the air, in our food, and even in our bodies and blood, and we’re just now starting to recognize the health and environmental implications. 

The good news? From individual actions to legislative acts, locally and globally, efforts are underway to work toward a more positive future. You’re not alone, and we’ve got options. When we work together, it all adds up to help protect our future and beloved Salish Sea. 

Take action, every single use.

In honor of this year’s earthday.org theme Planet vs. Plastics,  Puget Sound Starts Here has created a simple #EverySingleUse resource. It is easy to pick a common plastic habit to quit, explore alternatives, and share with others! Use one of the 12 prompts each month or any time to spark your own path to positive changes for our health and habitat – and discover new ways to save money and the planet.

Reduce personal plastics in your life. Image example for each month.

The graphics, videos, and text are free to use and share the message. And we’d love to hear your ideas, how you’re using them, and any feedback. Let’s all make it better to support each other and the planet. 

Guidelines:

  •  On social media, please include #EverySingleUse #PugetSoundStartsHere and @PugetSoundStartsHere in your post text so we can follow along and learn from each other. 
  • Remember to be respectful, constructive, and kind. It helps climates change. 🙂
  • When using the campaign graphics, please include this text: “Note: This image was made using AI to highlight how single-use plastic norms in real life look stranger than fiction when you pause to notice.”  We want to be extra clear about what we are sharing.

Ready to get started?

Explore our content and pick one (or more) that works for you!

Follow and share your progress to @PugetSoundStartsHere on Facebook and Instagram, and visit https://pugetsoundstartshere.org to stay inspired and informed.

Need the campaign graphics and videos? Here’s the link to view and download the set: https://airtable.com/appYBhIWoKsLRYvxw/shrnHbC1G7oDuusEX

Questions or ideas on #EverySingleUse?

Please send your feedback to help us make it better: https://forms.gle/75QfnQSC136HwUY97

Thank you and best wishes on tackling your personal plastic experiment,
Puget Sound Starts Here

1. Quit a plastic habit

Quit a plastic habit. Start with a single choice.

Start with a single choice. Plastic pollution is harming our health and habitat, but small actions can create positive change. Where can you start? Simply look at your normal routines and choose one personal plastic habit to quit. 

Invite others to try and help generate a better vision for all. #EverySingleUse makes a difference.

Some ideas to explore:

2. Do a makeover.

Do a makeover. Pluck your plastics.

Pluck your plastics. Is it time for a beauty routine or bathroom makeover? Get the look, plastic-free. Opt for cosmetics without hidden plastic ingredients and personal care products that nix the plastic packaging and waste. 

Some ideas to explore:

3. Clean your home.

Purge that plastic. Isn’t it odd that household cleaning supplies bring plastic clutter and even toxic hazardous waste into our homes? You’ve got safer choices that work great, too. Try switching to a proven natural recipe like vinegar & baking soda, and look for the #EPASaferChoice label on products to keep your family healthy and safe. 

Some ideas to explore:

4. Protect our planet.

Pick your plastic. April is Earth Month, the perfect time to get involved and try something new. Hundreds of regional activities, events, and volunteer cleanups are planned, so do a quick online search, check the @PugetSoundStartsHere Instagram “Events” highlight or Facebook feed, and find your community. 

But why is it normal to take action only on Earth Day? This year, go beyond one day, week, or month to protect our planet. It’s easy. Just pick one plastic habit to quit and aim for planet over plastics #EverySingleUse. 

Some ideas to explore during Earth Month and beyond:

5. Love your mother.

Wipe out plastic. Mother Earth would like a word. Doesn’t it seem unnatural that many personal hygiene products contain plastics? Opt for plastic-free wipes, cotton swabs, and diapers, and consider switching to period underwear and menstrual cups to stay clean and healthy without the waste.  And remember, only flush toilet paper (flushable wipes clog pipes!).

Some ideas to explore:

6. Sip your drink.

Skip the plastic. Bubble tea or an iced latte sure sounds good today — and every day. But that yummy habit can create a lot of plastic waste. Next time, hold the plastic by bringing a cute reusable cup or mason jar and straw instead. 

Some ideas to explore:

  • Plastic Free Salish Sea “car kit” of reusables to have on the go:  https://plasticfreesalishsea.org/toolkits/
  • Many places that serve food and drinks to-go participate in BYO (bring your own) programs that accept your reusable cup instead of a disposable. If your spot doesn’t, let them know you want it and that you support their efforts to reduce waste.

7. Celebrate the day.

Party (and participate!) plastic-free. Isn’t is odd to celebrate the land of the free by trashing our waters with plastic waste? This year, let’s do better. Start a new plastic-free tradition and get involved to help protect and preserve our shared home. 

Some ideas to explore:

Check out the Plastic Free July website resources and tips on how to choose to refuse single-use plastics and join the Plastic Free July challenge. Here’s a cheat sheet of 31 easy choices to get started:

8. Leave no trace.

Wander plastic-free. Isn’t it wild to wander outdoors just to find a trail of plastics waste and dog poo bags left behind? Let’s step it up and pack out the plastics.

9. Make lunch better.

Pack less plastic. Picky about what you pack for lunch? Try choosing options with less plastic for a healthier family and planet. Using durable containers and sizing portions to fit the appetite can be cheaper and easier than buying individually-wrapped servings. Plus, food waste contributes to climate change, so reducing both plastic and organic waste is a win-win for everyone.

Some ideas to explore:

10. Bring your mug.

Choose to reuse. Isn’t it bizarre that coffee cups & lids we toss out never really leave? Plastics linger on the planet long past Pumpkin Spice Latte season. Next time, bring your favorite mug to stay or go.

Some ideas to explore:

  • Pick a reusable option that fits your lifestyle, needs, style, and preferences so you’re more likely to want to use it rather than a disposable. It’s easier to remember when it’s your favorite. 
  • Many places that serve food and drinks to-go participate in BYO (bring your own) programs that accept your reusable cup instead of a disposable. If your spot doesn’t, let them know you want it and that you support their efforts to reduce waste.

11. Make your list.

Forget the plastic. Isn’t it bananas to put produce in a plastic bag? Reusable bags are the way to go, but only if you remember to bring them. Try creating a new routine to store your bags in the car or by the door so you don’t forget. Want to cross more plastics off your list? Skip the plastic packaging altogether. Bring reusable containers and buy in bulk.

Some ideas to explore:

Check out these sites to find the nearest store where you can purchase bulk, package-free foods, personal care products, and household goods in your own containers.

12. Cut the wrap.

Gift less plastic. Need a thoughtful gift idea? Try something special and plastic-free. Save money and the planet by skipping the plastic wrap, bows, and ribbon. Give experiences instead or get creative with naturally beautiful, compostable, or reusable wrapping options.  

Some ideas to explore:

  • Search online for plastic-free gift ideas and eco-friendly wrapping. 
  • Support a local non-profit, or gift a membership or class instead of a physical gift.
  • Use fabric rather than wrapping paper (hint: search for how to tie Japanese furoshiki tutorials)

Make a difference.

Every single use. Plastic pollution is harming our health and habitat, but small actions can create positive change. Where can you start? Simply look at your normal routines and choose one personal plastic habit to quit. Invite others to join and help generate a better future for all. #EverySingleUse counts.

Plastics Actions list

  1. Quit a plastic habit. Start with a single choice.
  2. Do a makeover. Pluck your plastics.
  3. Clean your home. Purge that plastic.
  4. Protect our planet. Pick your plastic.
  5. Love your mother. Wipe out plastic.
  6. Sip your drink. Skip the plastic.
  7. Celebrate the day. Party (and participate!) plastic-free.
  8. Leave no trace. Wander plastic-free.
  9. Make lunch better. Pack less plastic.
  10. Bring your mug. Choose to reuse.
  11. Make your list. Forget the plastic.
  12. Cut the wrap. Gift less plastic.

Make a difference. Every single use.

Note: Images in the #EverySingleUse video above were made using AI to highlight how single-use plastic norms in real life look stranger than fiction when you pause to notice.

Note: Puget Sound Starts Here does not endorse nor is paid by the products or companies mentioned in this story. All content is listed for inspiration only. Campaign images were made using AI to highlight how single-use plastic norms in real life look stranger than fiction when you pause to notice.

Follow and share @PugetSoundStartsHere #EverySingleUse #PugetSoundStartsHere on social.

#EarthDay2024

Questions or ideas on #EverySingleUse?

Please send your feedback to help us make it better: https://forms.gle/75QfnQSC136HwUY97

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