30 Days Without Single-Use Plastics | One Small Step | NowThis

In 2015 alone, people generated 300 million tons of plastic waste, and since then the number has only gone up. Here's what happened when we tried to go a full month without single-use plastics.
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California is the only state that has banned the use of plastic bags while nine other states have banned plastic bag bans. Think about all the plastic pollution coming from plastic containers, plastic straws, plastic utensils like forks, spoons, and knives, and other plastic wraps and bags that people use just one time before they end up in the trash, on our streets, or in the ocean. There are several legitimate economical and ecological reasons to cut down on excessive plastic use, and NowThis' Lucy Biggers is here to tell you more.
Watch as Lucy Biggers takes up the challenge to go one month without single-use plastic in an effort to combat plastic pollution and climate change. Along the way, Lucy will also share a few tips on how you can fight plastic pollution too, and just maybe (hopefully) inspire you to take the 30-day plastic free challenge too.
#PlasticBan #Environment #OneSmallStep
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What happens to everything we use after we throw it away? How does our trash impact the environment and contribute to things like pollution and climate change? From plastics and recycling to food waste and composting - we're breaking down the issue of waste and sustainability piece by piece to answer one of the most important questions facing the world today: How do we save our planet?
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[@DC9848]

Packing banana in plastic should be banned by a wordwide law. The best protected fruit of all, 100% recycable.

[@victoriapowers576]

DC9848 or packing oranges too

[@hannahl5306]

Thats actually wrong. Plastic packaging extends the shelf life of food, which prevents food waste. Food waste is the biggest releaser of methane gas into the air. The methane gas released into the air from food waste is far worse than the plastic. The problem with plastic is that the government refuses to build more infrastructure to recycle. They would rather ship it off to other countries, who then dump it into the ocean. Side note a banana is not recyclable. It is compostable. When you eat a banana make sure your not throwing it away. If you throw it away it ends up in a landfill and can't decompose. If it can't decompose, it releases methane gas into the air. If you can, throw it in your backyard or something (assuming you have plants and nature in you backyard). Nature can take it from there.

[@oboebuddy15]

@@hannahl5306 I think you're in denial about your plastic usage.

[@hannahl5306]

Kelsey Matthews Na. I'm just educated in the field of plastic.

[@k.w.1459]

Compostable. Not recyclable. But yes

[@crustycrowley]

I have cut out single use plastics for 3 months. It has the hidden benefit of cutting down the consumption of processed and junk foods. I wish I had started earlier.

[@yodaclay4840]

crustycrowley right!! It’s like I don’t care for junk foods and I’m well satiated after I eat my meal!

[@ParisHedger]

thats amazing!!! I just uploaded a 'living plastic free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@katerinapierce100]

Then what do u snack on when you're a bit hungry? I'm having trouble replacing late night snacks in plastics. I tried snacking on banana and nutella but it is so much more expensive than just a pack of instant noodles. Help!

[@ParisHedger]

katerinapierce100 I make a lot of healthy treats like banana bread, bliss balls with ingredients from bulk food stores, then I store them in the freezer and there is no packaging or waste! 🥰

[@crustycrowley]

@@katerinapierce100 Hi Katrina, great to hear that you are trying and basically thats all it takes. Find the plastic free snacks that you enjoy. Simple things I like as a snack are nuts, fruit (fresh and dried), chopped fresh vegetables such as carrot and celery. Everyone can find their way in this world to live with a smaller imprint on the Earth.

[@katyoutnabout5943]

Please don’t downplay how bad the recycling system is either. The three R’s should be changed to reduce, reuse, refuse.

[@hoijink.9252]

And REPLACE 💕

[@crustycrowley]

100%. Avoid, Advocate and just Appreciate earth

[@bonitachika792]

I would play refuse first. That should always be first priority.

[@AlexxWretched]

Refuse, reduce, reuse, rot, recycle

[@Mattstafford2009]

Yes! A lot of the ocean plastic is just dirty recycling we sent to China/ Malaysia that's not actually recyclable! A large misconception is that all that ocean plastic blew in from beaches but I think a large amount ~90% is dumping. Can't really blame them either because the recycling we send over isn't really recycling its diapers, Styrofoam, random window blinds, etc.

[@a1sab]

I'm 12 and I've gone plastic free for 2 months now, it's been an interesting experience so far, I'm hoping to reach 7 months! My parents have gotten sick of it, but I keep going!!!

[@flopsock6708]

Since it’s been a year, did you end up teaching 7 months?

[@sonyadavidson7458]

That’s amazing

[@bunnie26]

it’s been 3 years lol how have u been going?

[@corahasting1530]

I'm 14 but I have 5 siblings so its really, hard but i'm trying my best to persuade my parents.

[@harperwarper6881]

In my Asian family, there’s no such thing as “single use plastic” my mom reuses plastic spoons and plastic straws

[@pleasejustdobetter]

While I appreciate the idea. Depending on how the plastic straws and utensils are washed and made in the first place, reusing them can be unsafe, as micro particles are likely to leach off and may be ingested. These items are made so cheaply as not to be reused. Just a thought, while I applaud your families efforts.

[@qwecatnip]

Same. My family reuses plastic bags as trash bags.

[@angeliquereg]

same lmao

[@terry4360]

it becomes single use once is unusable anymore (degrades, breaks ect.) , then it goes to landfill or else where

[@jg1681]

Haha my family washes plastic silverware

[@evelynlee5626]

The woman who started plastic free July was a mum at my tiny primary school in Perth, Western Australia. So cool to think of what an impact she has had!

[@ievaolechnoviciute8874]

❗️❗️❗️In my country plastic bottles are not free. Let’s say you buy water and you have to pay 10 cents for the bottle and then when you have the bottle empty you go into supermarket where are machines that you recycle them and get back your 10 cents. And now I haven’t seen any bottles in streets in years, literally not even single one. I hope other country’s do that to 🙏🏻

[@akostopoulou2013]

If you don't mind answering could you tell me where you live? It's a very interesting concept that I would like to like to like to learn more about!

[@spicyjoon8122]

that's interesting, where do you live?

[@dojipengin]

We have this in Germany as well. I can even bring my glass yogurt containers to the machine. :)

[@ryansayre5417]

A few states, mine included, California have this law implemented. although it's 5 cents, not 10

[@indiaedrissi1164]

Same in Sweden

[@Soprie]

Here's the thing: we need to stop blaming end consumers for single use plastic and pressure corporations to design packaging that isn't so harmful to the environment. They use plastic because it is cheap, when better options are available.

[@femmeNikita27]

Yes, we should do both. Change as consumers and press the producers.

[@lunadias1289]

Paper bags, straws, plates. Also, there are many scientists in the world that are developing eatable/easy degradability cutlery.

[@robertlee8805]

@@femmeNikita27 AGREED. It's EVERYBODY'S Problem to SOLVE.

[@happyfrenchtoast420]

I really dislike this mentality because I feel that both should be trying to cut back on plastic use.

[@parispc]

@@lunadias1289 Pretty sure edible plastic has already been made by chemists

[@dronecamps]

BTW : Those "TO-GO "PAPER" containers are PLASTIC LINED! You failed to notice that. Heads up on those everybody. - Great job though I really love the video and your voice on the subject.

[@Maja-wp8ch]

Drone Camps RC she says that at 4:50

[@ItsAsparageese]

That's an inaccurate excessively broad generalization. A wax coating is not a plastic liner. Most cheap paper pouches like that are wax-coated, not plastic-lined.

[@catalina3163]

she said that in the video

[@Nana-ot1zc]

Paper and single use glass also often has a worse ecological footprint than plastic.

[@jodiethuy4122]

herbstallerliebst you can wash glass bottles and reuse them! I drink combucha; there’s no way to get them in large quantities or BYO glass jars store near me; so I used oil and baking soda to clean the stickiness out of the bottles and washed inside with soup small pebbles; they come out perfectly clean; I made lemonade in batches and filled in those bottles ready for my children to drink anytime!

[@purberri]

The rise of bottled water led to the increase. Tap water is safe to drink but people think that bottled water is better due to advertising.

[@charlesgros3548]

All bottle water is city water sent to a plant to be bottle

[@Ara-ni5xc]

purberri but also because tap water smells and tastes disgusting!! I was taught safe drinking water is supposed to be colorless, odorless and tasteless. I would love to stop using water bottles though. We have a filter at home.

[@ellenacrystal5108]

Getting a water filter is 🔥👍👌

[@brokkoliomg6103]

@@ellenacrystal5108 Or you live in countries like Germany where tap water is higher regulated than bottled water ;) Yet sometimes it's also disgusting and people tend to use filters as well^^

[@thebigvee137]

There is one difference between City water and bottled water bottled water is distilled which means that it has an average pH while. While most city water can have a slightly more acidic pH. But this really doesn't matter unless you are a fish. as it is a pretty small difference it makes no impact on health.

[@griffin1837]

tip: bring a tupperware container when out to eat, so you can put your leftovers in that 💚

[@ParisHedger]

oooo thats so smart! I just uploaded a 'living plastic free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@sas534]

Not a bad idea at all !

[@truepeacenik]

It’s so much simpler, and nothing leaks! I bring two glass with plastic clip top containers when I dine out. It was a bit weird for my partner, but he got onboard.

[@nanszoo3092]

That is a Great Idea. So obvious, yet I have Never thought about it.

[@griffin1837]

@@truepeacenik yess!! good on you! 💚

[@shangarthiyagarajah1508]

they charge for bags in the uk now so people start bringing their own bags

[@sophiagray3191]

They charged for plastic bags in Germany for as long as I remember and people still bought a ton of them. I think they've been partially banned now by some grocery chains.

[@sarastauffer3645]

Shangar Thiyagarajah cities here in the US are starting to adopt this :)

[@evangelina3202]

Yeah some parts of nepal do that as well.

[@femmeNikita27]

It has just been introduced in Poland. I hope it will bring the same effect. Few year ago anyone carrying around reusable ones has been frowned upon. Later on it was a hippie fashion fad. Now it finally has a chnce to become a new normal, everydalife thing as it should be, as it used to be when my grandma was alive.

[@femmeNikita27]

And let's not forget- past generations had shopping baskets. I already see baskets getting back in fashion slowly. In this sense we just neeed to leaarn from our granparents, we don't have to try to reinvent the wheel.

[@KatharineOsborne]

Thanks for acknowledging your privilege. Getting widespread solutions that don’t punish the poor is going to be a difficult hurdle (which is why it’s important to find broader changes than relying on people to make personal choices).

[@TheChickenRiceBowl]

This! This is a huge hurdle that needs to be addressed!

[@jessa3142]

Yes! Sadly I am both. I try sooo hard to keep my plastic down. But when bagged salad is on for $2 and non bagged is $4 we tend to buy the cheaper. I was given a case of drinks they are all glass bottles but have plastic bottle tops. I kept all of the bottles we wash an reuse them. Milk is really fun $6 for half gal in glass plus a $2 deposit or a gal in plastic for $2-$3

[@Miquelalalaa]

@@jessa3142 Use a milk man. The glass bottles are reused and therefore it's not very expensive.

[@theclumsyprepper]

@@jessa3142 I'm in a similar situation. We don't have many packaging free option available to us since we live in a rural area and the plastic free produce is 2-4 times the price. Also all my medication comes in plastic and much as I do not like taking it I have to if I'm too have any quality of life. It's great that some people can afford to go plastic free but it's not easy for most.

[@heathervaley7304]

You are right, but it will also help for people to make the right choices as well. We have lots of power as consumers. If companies don't sell as much single serving plastic as they used to they will change... they want our money.

[@OnyxNJclown]

LMAO I've heard of some stupid laws here in the U.S., but banning a plastic ban? Only in America.

[@TheChickenRiceBowl]

Whoops, I see. I was confused about what you meant.

[@CraziSara]

It's usually from old state laws that regulate "containers". It just goes to show how deeply big money has affected the US government.

[@corahasting1530]

I know I was going to start trying to ban plastics in florida, but I noticed they banned banning plastic. Its so annoying.

[@sagessedantan]

I’ve been on my journey to zero-waste for three years now, and I love it! Seeing how little trash I can produce every week by adopting simple and easy habits is so much fun for me! My favourite is to go grocery shopping, and seeing all the pretty glass containers and loose veggies in my fridge afterwards 😊

[@wellyeah9568]

You go girl!👍🏼👏🏼🤗

[@wantitok]

amlafontaine wow....amazing. Feel free to visit Earth Changes Channel and watch a 3 part series on Plastic A Environmental Disaster If you like , read what am about in the community section. Many blessings to you and your loved ones always Earth Changes Channel

[@tiasavoric9479]

Why every month wouldn't be plastic free?🌍

[@ArthursHD]

Cause plastic isn't evil if it is used correctly! Dry dirty waste can be easily insinoratiorated at high temperatures to minimize pollution.

[@helenagrace3570]

@@ArthursHD what??

[@hannahl5306]

ArthursHD OMG another person who is educated on the benefits of plastic!

[@mke_gal]

ArthursHD the video is focused on single-use plastic

[@greeleyestateslove]

@@ArthursHD is that waste to energy?? Doesn't sound very eco minded.

[@bebemenemen7363]

Here in the island of BORACAY, plastic packaging is banned to fast foods and hotel restaurants. We don't use plastic straws anymore instead we use paperstraws or bamboo straws. Also, people tend to bring an eco-bag or bayong(a native bag made from coconut leaves) if they go shopping, else the store will only offer them paperbags. except to plastic packaging on produced products like snacks from the groceries. P.S i've started this plastic free challenge a year ago until now, but I study away from home and plastic packaging is not banned their. I did my best, i literaly own 10 eco bags at my rented room. Haha

[@femmeNikita27]

Please export bayong to other countries. I also own eco bags. Those I have now have served me already for more than 4 years. So I all those years I had only 4 shopping bags. While people shopping next to me have been taking many single use plastic ones all this time. Plastic packaging on snacks is the worst, so we need to replace it with eco one. In my country people are working on such products grown from mushrooms.

[@bebemenemen7363]

@@femmeNikita27 bayong is a filipino thing that is made out of dried coconut leaves. I don't really know if people export it to other countries but filipinos from urban region stops using it since 1990's. Only less people used it in Rural places, i hope so tha in the future. Plastic packaging is totally banned for good. Btw, i'm still studying and business is not my profession. Sad

[@BW-kv9wj]

How are all of these items produced? Did the machines have plastic that made theses bamboo and paper straws? How was the paper straw produced? From wood? How did they chop down the trees? We’re any plastics used to do this from the machinery to the store?

[@andreahood9465]

Ugh. Plastic attacks...leaving the trash for an underpaid worker with no health benefits or job security to deal with. How noble. I suppose it’s easier than speaking to the manager and writing the corporate overlords.

[@sirdeadlock]

The heartbreaking truth of the economy, is the hidden plastics. Yeah, your bulk bin food is put into a container from home, but in was delivered to the store in a plastic bag. Yeah, you didn't use a disposable fork, but the soap used to clean the metal fork is stored in plastic. Yeah, the iced tea from the soda fountain goes in your reusable cup, but the syrup pack for the dispenser is plastic. Yeah, your pastry was served in paper... But a lot of places get them frozen in plastic wrapped packs and baked those fresh. A lot of "I'm not using plastic" options are actually people throwing plastic away for you.

[@OnyxNJclown]

True, but less of it is being used. If we all did what she is doing or just used a Lot less, and even reused more often we'd be making a BIG difference.

[@sirdeadlock]

@@OnyxNJclown A difference, yes, but an insignificant one compared to the impact the industries themselves could make by standardizing a reusable sanitary packaging system.

[@TheChickenRiceBowl]

You've worked in a restaurant for a long time haven't you?

[@kathleen6288]

@@sirdeadlock My point in going low waste is I'm not paying to dispose of garbage I didn't ask for. I do not have garbage pick up. I have a bathroom size garbage can & it fills up about every 8 or 9 months. Then I take it to a family members house & put it in their can. I'm fed up with all the waste. When we demand recycled packaging or no packaging at all (my favorite) we will get it. I love so much bringing home groceries with no packaging & 2nd hand items with no wrapping or bag. Life is easier w/o all the waste...separating, storing, getting it to the right place, paying attention to all the changes in recycling etc. I just refuse it as much as possible. Even if it made no difference at all to the environment (but it does) I'd still do it. It makes a difference in my life.

[@alexisrobinson3225]

But that is why low waste/zero waste was initially suppose to be a word for large businesses. If you eat a granola bar everyday that is 365 granola wrappers on top of the plastic wrapped pallets that those granola bars come on which contain thousands of granola bars, that is a lot of Plastics, but if you buy from bulk which is still packaged in plastic on the pallet but it is just large boxes on a pallet without the individual packages of the bars which reduces a lot of litter plastic.

[@dylannicholas6921]

i’m all here for single people to cut out plastic and i know its a Huge part of sustainability but So Is pollution and we need to hold companies that contribute to that accountable

[@lauraliekay9431]

Dylan Ruggeri Definitely but also if everyone stops buying from the companies that use plastic then they go down

[@dylannicholas6921]

Lauralie Kay for sure i dont contribute to like the meat industry and i try not to buy plastic but also no way is Everyone gonna stop buying plastic or even most people. we need to take the responsibility off the consumer and put it on the corporations. thats how real change will happen.

[@luanasinclair]

The problem is no law is being enforced. In Madrid it's illegal for restaurants to buy plastic straws... No one cares, plastic straws everywhere, no one goes to see if these places are even trying. Where I worked you had to put two straws per drink, so double the amount for every person. The only thing to do is convince someone in charge to change, I told my boss to cut down in plastic and he started changin the way we make the drinks so some of them don't need a straw. But still, until someone goes around and writing up the companies that don't respect the law, no one will cut down.

[@femmeNikita27]

We need to talk to those companies often and to tell them whenever we can that we do not like this excessive plastic. Companies most often change if clients refuse to buy what they sell or want to buy if the company makes some upgrade of their products. Ecology is this upgrade we can all ask for from producers and sellers.

[@louiseintheworld8519]

I’ve just started my plastic free month 🙌🏼

[@annelisebrown3810]

Bring your own containers. Focus on waste, not just plastic

[@ParisHedger]

true! I just uploaded a 'living plastic/waste free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@sofijag1809]

Loved this video❤️ i use metal straws, use a bamboo toothbrush which will biodegrade, use little pieces of reusable cloth instead of cotton rounds to clean my face, wash my hair with a bar of soap and keep it in a reusable tin jar, always bring a reusable water bottle and a reusable bag with me everywhere I go, and honestly it’s pretty easy to make these small changes in my life, sometimes its even exciting but more importantly I’m helping to save our world just a little bit more and that’s awesome👍❤️🌎

[@ItsAsparageese]

@nothere_2017 I'm not the person you asked, but I would guess maybe tampico fibers or natural hair

[@femmeNikita27]

I need a new toothbrush. Getting one that is made of bamboo sadly still not so easy where I live. We should push for every supermarket in every country to have those available to everyone. It makes no sense to froce people globally to brush their teeth only with plastic ones. Not to mention those hi-tech ones should have heads not made of plastic.

[@4mydearlady]

I have a bamboo toothbrush. The bristles are made of plant fibers. Got mine from my local Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

[@RocioNicte]

Depending on were you drink your beverages, you don´t even need a straw. I fully stopped using straws. Completely unnecessary if you are in your office, a restaurant, etc.

[@kw9158]

Every single food takeout container, even when “paper”, is coated in plastic. Every single soda aluminum can is lined with plastic.

[@sas534]

Not the ones from chicken shops in the UK. Those are clearly paper , they soak up the ketchup too lol

[@RachelHeartsBenefit]

I'm super intrigued with the plastic attack idea! A bit forceful but honestly if the stores provide food wrapped in plastic then the stores and their companies should be the ones providing solutions

[@Whoknows-mf1cv]

RachelHeartsBenefit As a retail worker, I don’t like this idea as I think it’s a way to harass workers. The management won’t really care about this “protest,” they’ll just delegate someone else to come clean it up. It would be more effective to vote with your dollar, and to discuss these issues with management.

[@RachelHeartsBenefit]

Lydia Grace Definitely a valid point coming from someone with an inside perspective! Voting with your dollar seems to be the best approach overall and hopefully management will see that things need to change. But maybe there should be a designated bin or something where people can throw out plastic wrappings and the store can figure out how to recycle it. I’ll definitely try to suggest that to management!

[@charlesgros3548]

I agree but u know by what they doing that they are damageing the product and the store can refuse to sell them that because there is no bar code on it to track the sail of it so now someone have to run back an forth to keep checking the price. If they want to do that to the product the do it after they buy it and do it outside and put the plastic in the garbage the store can do nothing with it but put it in the garbage to

[@RachelHeartsBenefit]

charles gros I believe the plastic attack idea is stripping the product of non-recyclable or hard to recycle plastic packaging after it is purchased. But I think throwing it in the garbage defeats the purpose of the demonstration which is to show how unnecessary and wasteful the plastic packaging is. Otherwise you could just throw it in the garbage at home

[@ParisHedger]

so true, but yay im glad your interested in it, there are so many small things we can do to hopefully make the shops stop being so wasteful hahah! I just uploaded a 'living plastic free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@mortemracoon]

Starbucks = 10 cents off of you bring your own cup

[@jodiethuy4122]

Raccoon Rebellion where at? Not in Los Angeles!!!

[@mortemracoon]

Jodie Thuy idk all Arizona locations I’ve been to

[@MsLeonor1968]

Love that you spoke up on this topic. We can’t keep quiet about what plastic does to the environment. Keep telling stores to cut out as much plastic as possible. 🌎

[@ParisHedger]

I just uploaded a 'living plastic/ waste free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@joethomas6557]

This woman never cooks for herself 😂 eating in is so much more environmentally friendly

[@teddybruscie]

I think the point was to show how all of the different ways we consume plastics makes it harder to not use plastics. That's why she mostly focused on outside plastic use as opposed to at home or grocery plastic use. Because sure eating home more often will greatly reduce plastic use. But that doesn't negate the issues of plastic outside of the home.

[@kayla_vogts123]

She does eat at home sometimes- you can’t eat at home ALL THE TIME

[@kevinmalone584]

@@kayla_vogts123 actually in corona you can

[@kayla_vogts123]

@@kevinmalone584 well yes but there’s also such thing as drive throughs

[@kevinmalone584]

@@kayla_vogts123 yeh Also you can bring it home and disinfect everything there If u don’t disinfect and wash your hands it makes no difference

[@bix1827]

In Brazil, if you want a plastic bag for your groceries, you have to buy them, around 4 cents each.

[@emmabloom1793]

Some grocery stores switched to that method as well, most people don't buy them because they don't want to ask the cashier for a bag (it's true, Swiss people are quite reserved😂)

[@ReiDee13]

Where I live in Brazil you have to constantly refuse plastic bags x.x

[@bix1827]

In Sao Paulo

[@v.leewalker8640]

I will begin my challenge 5/1/19... I got this! 🤗✌🏽

[@HedgehogStudios1]

What's stopping you from starting today?

[@luxigaming968]

Laser Lens how did it go

[@averycarroll1537]

Laser Lens probably planning, its hard to start overnight so lots of people need time to plan it out

[@AasthaHingar]

@Wholesome Meli how is it going for you?

[@catalina3163]

Wholesome Meli that’s amazing!

[@genieglasslamp5028]

Tip!! There is big camping gear market from everything to shoes, utensils, water bottles ect all made to be heavy duty and long lasting. I'm buying some of these items to use in every day life.

[@alienonion4636]

Used to be we were criticized for using so much paper due to loosing so many trees and the pollution from the manufacturer of paper. I reuse and recycle as much as possible.

[@AlexxWretched]

We should definitely reduce paper use, but reducing plastic is so much more important :(

[@stylenseason]

I learned that many types of plastic packaging are difficult to avoid. What I am doing is reduce my consumption by doing 2019 No Buy Challenge. I only buy replacements, consumables, gifts and souvenirs this year. Reduce and reuse. I did a similar thing in 2018 with 80 percent success. Less stuff, less waste. Also, I avoid paperbags, as well. I live in the tropica, and have seen too many deforestations to make paper.

[@ParisHedger]

omg thats awesome! I just uploaded a 'living plastic/waste free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@Emily.672]

Thank you for spreading awareness about this important issue. 🧡 I am from Europe and once I have been to the US for holiday. I went to a grocery store and I was kind of surprised and also shocked that they packed EVERY item they bought in plastic bags (in some stores there were people who did that for you. I don't know if this is common or if that was only an exception.) In Europe we don't do this. We take our groceries home in our own bags (not plastic) and most of the shops don't even sell single use plastic bags anymore or you have to pay for them extra. I know it's not enough yet, but maybe it's a beginning of a much bigger change. I just wished that more countries worked on their environmental footprint, because without Asia and America doing something against plastic waste and climate change, it's almost impossible to save our planet 😣

[@nai_mathis5076]

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! I'm from Costa Rica and I'm so happy that y country has been mentioned in the video because its so small!!!!!!!

[@xoxoshi2797]

Morroco too banned plastic bags and anyone caught using it will have to pay a fine

[@rielleva1925]

I’m so happy to see someone acknowledge this movement, as it pertains to the current climate, as a privilege. I feel like people are so quick to dismiss this fact

[@kathleen6288]

Send your produce stickers to: Barry "Wildman" Snyder POB 301 Erie, CO 80516 Check out his artwork, it's wonderful!

[@ItsAsparageese]

Hey cool, this artist is local-ish to me and produce stickers were something I wondered about a solution for, myself! Glad you put this info here!

[@kathleen6288]

@@ItsAsparageese Hi Emerald This also might interest you for recycling pens.. The Pen Guy P. O. Box 994 Forestville, CA 95436 His artwork is pretty cool too!

[@ItsAsparageese]

@@kathleen6288 That is too funny, I just heard about his work the other day and failed to think of looking up if he had a donation address lol! Thank you!

[@annistyne9230]

Is there a certain way to send it? Or just stick them onto a piece of paper in an envelope..? I'm worried they'll loose their 'stickiness' haha

[@kathleen6288]

@@annistyne9230 Barry requests you attach the stickers to paper.

[@sadiejane2346]

I hear my Grandma's words in this story. She was a young women during the depression of the 30s and WWII. As a little girl of the 70s, I remember her bemoaning, worrying and being frustrated and angry even about all the plastic she was seeing. She Reduced, Reused and Recycled before that was thing because she did the original thing: valued material goods no matter what. I'm continuing to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle myself and I'm glad that some countries and states are demanding that business and industry do the same.

[@crystalwatts4138]

I keep a large stash of reusable grocery bags in my car trunk and use them for so many things beyond groceries, I even spot friends who reach for a plastic bag and will hand them one. I also stretch the wearing of my clothes to reduce how often I wash laundry. Most jeans, slacks, sweaters, and tops I wear at least twice before washing. I can stretch up to 3 weeks before needing to wash clothing. It saves excessive handling of my clothes and I go through far less bottles of laundry soap. Lastly I purchases glass food storage containers that are oven friendly and have committed to living without a microwave for the foreseeable future. I am more conscious of not buying heavily packaged quick heat and serve meals and am more intentional with the foods I buy. I have made it a full year so far without a microwave.

[@sirdeadlock]

One simple step: slow down It's usually okay to take longer getting things done.

[@chloelohss8022]

This video is so impactful. Let’s try and share it! People need to be aware of exactly what they’re doing when they use single use plastic

[@lisepham4311]

I dont eat out, junk food, snack, anymore bc im too shy to ask if i can use my cup or container

[@cynthiavitolo3244]

I am absolutely in love with this page. This video was so inspiring and educational !!! Thank you for all you do to spread the word !!

[@cherrydragon3120]

Heard that in 2021 in Holland the 1 use plastic cups will be forbidden

[@hmmm4656]

Cherry Dragon why so late why can’t they start in 2019. Earth needs our help !!!!!

[@cozyreaderspack3975]

I own a cup to carry around to refill my water and I own metal straws that do with me literally everywhere.

[@reneeregis3015]

thank you for this & all your videos. you take me behind the scene, & also give me ideas by what you are doing.

[@clarrytaylor6820]

This video was so good! Thanks for being educational and factual as well as just talking about your experiences :)

[@corie609]

I started to use less plastic this january. One of the best tips i give is to prepare and cook your own food. Less spending and less plastic. :)

[@alysacaseabeer3943]

We don’t recycle (I can’t control, it, I’m just a kid) but we do reuse our plastic bags for a little while

[@cinnyslittlefriends1379]

Thank you so much for this video! I am doing a project for school on reducing our plastic waste, and this video is super helpful. I am planning on doing a week with no plastic waste! Thank you for all the amazing ideas!! You are really making a difference. ❤️

[@4babyhael]

People with children can do this too in some ways! We have a lot of tote bags in the house we use for grocery shopping, we try to buy veggies unpackaged, we bring our own water bottles when we go out, we bring packed lunch whenever we can, We compost from spring time until autumn. It's not a zero waste life, but we do what we can. Thank you!

[@m90dRi]

Your lunchtime container had a plastic film that prevents the cardboard from soaking

[@defnekus7530]

You actually can save money by bringing your own reusable cup or mug to starbucks. In Turkey 🇹🇷 its 0.5₺ cheeper.

[@femmeNikita27]

Well done Turkey! I hope this will become a fashion where I live. In here still one may get into trouble wanting to get a coffee to go or something else to drink in one's own cup. But it's slowly changing.

[@ParisHedger]

I just uploaded a 'living plastic free for a week' challenge and I actually really loved it and learnt heaps. If you ever get the chance it would mean so much if u could check it out, I really hope I can inspire u with some tips or something new to try x

[@bethscott8554]

Just enjoyed your video, and you are an admirable young lady, teaching this old dog new tricks! Thank you for your insights at such a young age. I am disheartened to see that no one has left a comment about your video for two years. Single use plastic continues to be a huge problem.

[@lisaandsammy5259]

Just found your videos, and WOW so educational even though I thought I knew a lot already. I am disabled, and sometimes I do not have a choice as medications and medical products come individually wrapped in plastic (not all, some in paper, but mostly plastic) and I have no choice. SO I started making better choices where I could. Now I know other things I can do from your videos.

[@radioactiveblueberries]

Everyone knows coke tasted better in a glass bottle.

[@rafaelpena4269]

I've been using a single-use bag to do grocery shopping for month's now and I don't really eat out so

[@melenak2]

I’ve been doing this for the past 4 years and was poo pooed by my kids. Now they’re banning plastic bags in Anchorage and have already done it in other cities in AK like Palmer and Wasilla. It’s great you have the facts included in your video. Each of us can made those small changes and you’ll find it’s easy and you won’t want to receive things with plastic. When I forget my bag, yes, my purse ends up being my bag or I just hand carry my items purchased. That includes clothing, supplies and food.

[@CarlosGutierrez-kw8kb]

I'm really loving this series, keep it up!

[@annaskippings6256]

This is a great video, thank you. I loved the part where we're told that if we leave our reusable coffee cups at home, they're not being "reusable"...I'm certainly going to start bringing mine with me everywhere I go, or no coffee for me when I'm out n about 😯😉

[@wantitok]

Anna wow....amazing. Feel free to visit Earth Changes Channel and watch a 3 part series on Plastic A Environmental Disaster If you like , read what am about in the community section. Many blessings to you and your loved ones always Earth Changes Channel

[@GetTHELookCHIC]

I brought a reusable water bottle and coffee cup. Im literally saving so much money.

[@wantitok]

wow....amazing. Feel free to visit Earth Changes Channel and watch a 3 part series on Plastic A Environmental Disaster If you like , read what am about in the community section. Many blessings to you and your loved ones always Earth Changes Channel

[@adamherrmann3456]

You do such a great job on these videos! Keep it up!!!

[@jewellzbozek4118]

I don't know if it's in other states, or at every location, but Dollar Trees near me, in Grand Rapids Michigan, have started charging a penny per plastic bag you fill. Most people don't go there for food, but it's still encouraging people to buy, and use, reusable bags.

[@everythingican3207]

👍🇨🇦😃 Be the change Thank you Lucy

[@Ian-iu2tl]

So...what I'm seeing here is a person who needs to pack a lunch. City water, as chlorinated as it is, can still be consumed once in a while; if you are all that thirsty. Take time, the night before, to plan your day...even somewhat...and you'll spend much less money and pollute much less. I like the reusable bottle she has but I would recommend a stainless thermos...doesn't break!! So plastic is okay if it is NOT single use...for instance the lid of a thermos bottle or a Tupperware container for your lunch. And yes. Splurge once in a while and BUY some lunch...but insist on paper where possible.

[@isidoreaerys8745]

I love your work! So approachable and encouraging you have a great spirit.

[@TiaBanana]

This is so amazing. Please continue to share the message!!! 💚🌿

[@LisetteNijhuis]

I got a hydro flask that I always use to drink out of!

[@LisetteNijhuis]

@Brianna Andreacci I said plastic but I meant a hydro flask😂 it works really well and I use it very often!

[@LisetteNijhuis]

@Brianna Andreacci yeah you were right, i wrote plastic but I meant something else😂 but using a plastic bottle more than once is also a lot better than just throwing it away!

[@naomimay82]

I have a Hydro Flask too, and I seriously love it!!! I fill it with ice water and I have ice water to drink while I work all day.

[@LisetteNijhuis]

@@naomimay82 yeah it is amazing!!

[@kiranvaland8026]

My mum refuses to throw out all plastic spoons or plastic bags or plastic jars but instead washes it reuses it for something else.

[@femmeNikita27]

Partial solution but wise one. I have some secondhand plastic spoons, so I do like your mother and reuse them to put cats food for my cats. Better than tossing those out while there still can get reused. But we simply should have less plastic since it will chnage into microplastic in the end. And this is not good for us.

[@simplyd.7601]

loved the video! thank you , for the past 6 years i have been aspiring to be as plastic free- zero waste, and toxic free as i possibly can Plastic has been for the most part banned from my home and life, its been an ongoing challenge and ever changing lifestyle , sadly where i live , people are quite wasteful and over all just do not care...i have mad my complaints about " vegetables that come in plastic, i where i live we had better "plastic -fee bulk items available. especially liquid bulk items. there is so much refuse to buy just due to packaging. One that makes me truly angry is ... seeing " reusable -environmental friendly items such as stainless steel straws packaged in Plastic!

[@erikschmidt4149]

Love it. Thanks for raising awarenes for such an important topic!

[@Clm1403]

What about that plastic credit card?? :) Great work - very hard to do!We’ll be at 100% renewable energy and battery storage LONG before we eliminate most all plastic.

[@yodaclay4840]

Clayton Meeker that’s why Apple/ Android pay is a thing

[@customizemyiphone]

Fun fact of the day .... most of the earths plastic pollution is fishing equipment

[@femmeNikita27]

Fun fact...it doesn't have to be. Fishermen knew their profession long before plastic was invented. One can fish without plastic as well as using plastic. And there are more effective local traditional ways of fishing in various areas than plastic nets.

[@sakeenabegum8011]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us

[@ellenefftink5554]

Something weird happened in my town in the Netherlands. They suddenly started to sell paprikas without a plastic wrap and I was so excited about it! Then, for some reason, they stopped selling those and brought back the paprikas that are wrapped in (too big) plastic packaging! The store does sell reusable bags that you can put the fruits and veggies in

[@Asdfghjkl-ls1or]

Views where u at?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

That meal you ate where you showed the small amount of plastic used from your purchases? You forgot to mention the plastic you ate in the flesh of the fish. Because, yes--micro-particles of plastic are in your seafood. yum.

[@robyn3349]

Wow. Thank you!

[@Charlie-mq8rw]

Thankyou for doing this!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@rosalbahamer994]

I always carry 2 cloth bags for my groceries been doing it for yrs my fam calk me the bag lady hobo🤣🤣🤣

[@marinafm8932]

If you guys have a Trader Joe’s you know that they have free paper bags

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

banning bans is so ludicrous! i wish i saw this before july but i have been trying my best to do the 5r's for a while (u'r right that it gets tricky with people who are sick because my grandma had a stroke years back so we still reuse plastic from groceries etc)

[@joycee5493]

You can also try taking your own containers to stores. I have found the stores very receptive to the idea and there’s something really satisfying about not having all that waste and plastic clutter in my kitchen.

[@jawhny6687]

I think we should ban plastic. Does anybody agree with me?

[@pleasejustdobetter]

For foods yes. For things like toys no.

[@jawhny6687]

Jamie Brown True

[@jeromecatubig6218]

for students, you can even bring your backpack inside the grocery store. if they ask, “why not opt for the plastic bag cos it’s recyclable?”, say “yeah, but it’s not biodegradable.” or ask for the manager immediately cos they’ll get nervous instantly.

[@lynzziwyn1241]

Great video! It quickly covered a lot of basis. I grew up in California, but now I live in Vietnam. The amount of plastic I use in Vietnam has increased 10 fold, I'm sure. Go to any waterway in Vietnam, and you can see the effect of the plastic consumption. I never buy plastic water bottles, often use reusable bags, regularly refuse plastic bags, always reuse my plastic bags, and drink fewer beverages in plastic to -go containers than most... but I still use too much plastic. This video has inspired me to be even better.

[@sherryg1741]

this is such a good piece on this problem and solution, thank you. I just want to say that changing habits is a big part of it: Be sure to always say, "No straw" when you order a drink, hang your grocery bags on the door when you unpack them - and tell the clerk to put groceries back in the cart, if you forgot to carry your bag, take containers into restaurants if you're pretty sure you can't eat it all, and always say, "No plastic," when they reach for that bag to pack anything you are buying.

[@valerieannrumpf4151]

In connecticut, as of August 1, 2019, there is a plastic bag tax of ten cents per bag, so alot of stores in the state have either passed the cost on to the consumer or had stopped giving them to customers such as stop and shop and Big Y grocery stores. Alot of people have been bringing their own bags to the stores because they don't want to pay ten cents for a single use bag.

[@linbo3819]

Yess! I love this. Please keep it up! I'm also trying to phase out single use plastic in my life as well

[@femmeNikita27]

It's hard but worth the effort. But we should also press the producers and local sellers to provide us with less of this additional plastic. So keep doing your best but also communicate locally with shops around you, with producers of products you like and buy. Every little helps. Germany made an innovative reasearch into this issue. We do consume about 4 kilograms of plastic every year. And it disrupts our health. So we should do this for our own health, to consume less microplastic. It's especially important in cultures which rely on fish and sea food in their diet. So inspire others from your community.

[@cmichaels9544]

I love this girl. Well done! 😊 You're a gorgeous person inside and out. The number one tip that I have for everyone is to consume less. Even if you can't visually see the plastic in the items you buy, there is definitely plastic used at some point. Take coffee for example, you bring your reusable cup and refuse the plastic container, but the coffee grounds/beans normally come in plastic packaging, the milk comes in plastic containers, single serving sugars although in paper sachets, those sachets come bagged in plastic and so on. And that's just 1 item being a cup of coffee. Now take everything else you consume in a week

[@patriciamcdonald6149]

Illuminating, good to see which things were the most difficult to avoid. Fruit and veg stickers might even be made of paper soon, fingers crossed. I'm impressed by the Loop project especially since manufacturers seem to be getting on board with that and understanding why reusing containers saves them money. Great topic.

[@Ralph2k20]

You knw am gonna star, in the motto of this channel, thx for the inspiration!

[@pinkmagicali]

I did shopping today that had the least amount of plastic I could manage. It was odd but I enjoyed my grocery shopping so much more than I normally do. I don’t know why it was just more enjoyable to actually shop and it was definitely nicer to come home with a bunch of paper bags. Plus the food I bought was better quality and healthier so it was a bonus for me as well as the environment. It made me more aware of what I was buying and more involved with the process. The products that cause the most challenges in my area are milk, cheese, and dairy like cream, sour cream, and yoghurt. Even the local butcher said it was fine if I bought containers to put my meat in and most other places I went to had alternatives. It’s frustrating when you don’t have any other options. I bought a large block of cheese instead of a small one because overall the waste is less but it’s still there.

[@irenatheginger2491]

I'm in Maine, as of April there is a statewide plastic bag ban, and last fall at one of the stores I work at, that particular city already had a ban in effect and stores were fined if they did use plastic bags. My boyfriend thinks I'm extreme, which is far from how I am with being low waste and composting, etc.

[@millerxo8348]

It’s so nice around my town litterally everyone uses reusable bags going into our grocery stores and sobeys just banned plastic bags too!!

[@dicesof8]

A big part of the problem that I have seen, is that a lot of places DON"T recycle period or they charge you to recycle. It's a struggle to get my husband and neighbors to recycle because of this.

[@stevelampley2591]

YOU...are doing GREAT works with your videos!

[@shirleysolano4013]

Very interesting. Didnt think much but wow you have educated me and now I'm informed. Thank you. I'll share this knowledge 💚🌍♻️

[@evanmurnighan]

This was a great - super well done video. I learned so much and am more determined than before to change my actions.