REFUSE, REUSE, AND THEN RECYCLE!

COMMUNITY PLASTICS RECYCLING ON HOLD!

The community plastics recycling program is currently on hold. See the previous article for information on this awesome program that was started last summer. Please do whatever you can to support Cook Inletkeeper because they are doing a great job organizing this program for our community. It has been cool to be a small part of it and see some of the behind the scenes details that it takes to make this pilot program a success. I think all of us involved were not expecting such a large volume of plastics being recycled. It definitely shows this is a much needed service in the community.

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Recycling is always the last option!
What can we do while we wait for the plastics recycling to be available again? As our plastic is piling up in our houses, garages, and cars we should take inventory of what we are collecting. 

• What can we reduce? Buying in bulk is a great way to eliminate the multiples of smaller containers. Buy that bigger container if it is something you use on a regular basis. For example, I love thousand island dressing and I am not able to make my own. I recently noticed my grocery store has large tubs of the same brand on occasion so I am planning to buy one this summer and share it with someone else. That should eliminate 10+ of the smaller plastic bottles and I can probably reuse that large tub as storage for something else.
• What can we reuse? If you can't avoid purchasing plastic be creative in ways to reuse the packaging.
  • Clam shells: These make great "greenhouses" for starting seeds and protecting plants. They also make great organizers in drawers and cabinets.
  • Plastic bags: Most plastic bags you get at stores these days are very reusable and can be used for many things including trash bags. I have used plastic bags as packing material or homemade air pillows. The resealable plastic bags can be washed and reused to replace ziploc bags. Never buy another ziploc bag! I use my empty dog food bags as a trash bag. The resealable bags and dog food bags are usually not recyclable anyway so they need to be reused before throwing them away.
  • Bottles: Refill at Sustainable Wares and never buy packaging again!
• What can we refuse? Remember, we are pay for the packaging along with the product. Put as much effort in your packaging choice as you do for the actual product. Buy brands that have chosen to eliminate excess packaging and use materials that are more sustainably recyclable like paper, glass, and aluminum. Brands have a choice so we should support the ones that make the right one. I am currently going through this process at Sustainable Wares. After 8 years of being in business the sustainable products market has grown like crazy and there are more products available at more accessible prices. I have also had 8 years of hands-on education in what is really sustainable and what is greenwashing. This year I started reevaluating our partners and will slowly make changes in some products we sell to make it easier for you to refuse single use plastics. 
  
• What can we upcycle? Get your creative juices flowing! Become obsessed with Pinterest!
  • Several weeks ago one of the loveliest customers a shop owner could ask for challenged me with several years worth of these disposable contact lens containers to upcycle instead of putting in our recycling. I still haven't envisioned anything! Anybody have any thoughts? Does anybody know if you can dye #5 plastics? If so, maybe I can make a mural to hang on the building or "beaded" curtains.
  • Have you seen the crochet/knitting/weaving projects made out of plastic bags? Has anyone made plarn (plastic yarn) before?

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Please share your ideas in the comments on how not to recycle plastics!