Category: Plastic

Most gift cards make waste by not being recyclable

1/23/2026

Gift cards are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and should be thrown in the trash, not in the recycling, except for paper gift cards.

In the United States alone, 50,700 tons of plastic waste are generated yearly from gift cards. Best Buy converted to paper gift cards in 2021 and other companies are following suit, fortunately. Digital gift cards are another plastic-free option.

Read more at Earth911

Photo by Mike Mozart, Flickr

Avoid plastic baby bottles

1/16/2026

Microplastic risks are greatest for infants. Avoid them in baby bottles by using glass or steel.

Since 1950, more than 11 billion tons of plastic have been produced. Plastic shards and particles are found almost everywhere on the planet. But you can take steps to keep them away from your baby during the critical early years of development. Glass or stainless steel baby bottles don’t shed microplastics. Silicone sleeves can protect glass bottles from breaking.

Read more here from Earth911

Plan ahead to reduce single-use plastics

7/4/2025

Since 2011, the Plastic Free July movement encourages us to build new habits, such as carrying a kit for leftovers when we go out.
Americans go through five pounds of plastic a week. The Plastic Free July movement was founded in 2011 aiming to engage people to reduce single-use plastic use as well as push for systemic change. Reducing plastic use requires more planning and the changes that stick are the ones that work with your current lifestyle.
Photo by Susan O'Donnell
Read more at NPR.org

Drink filtered water rather than bottled

3/7/2025

Getting a water filter pitcher instead of buying bottled water will save you money and reduce plastic waste.

Investing in a water filter pitcher or some other at-home water filtration system eliminates your production of plastic bottle waste and saves you money. Much of the cost of bottled water is from packaging, shipping, and marketing. In most places, municipal water is perfectly safe to drink, and the water filter can improve its taste. The pitcher can be stored in the refrigerator so that you have cold water to drink, and reusable water bottles make that water portable without the plastic. The Swarthmore Food Co-op has a box for recycling used Brita brand filters, packaging, and pitchers.

Read more at HowStuffWorks.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Buy bamboo toothbrushes

1/24/2025

Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and manufactured from a renewable resource.

Reduce the plastic in your life by purchasing toothbrushes made with a bamboo handle. Bamboo is biodegradable and has antimicrobial properties, making it just as sturdy as plastic but more sustainable. As an added sustainable bonus, many companies that make bamboo brushes also package them in a recyclable paperboard box. Before disposing of your bamboo toothbrush, check the packaging to determine if the bristles are nylon. If they are, pull them out with pliers and throw them away. The empty handle can then be added to commercial compost bins. In our area, bamboo toothbrushes are available at Martindale’s in Springfield.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Remove makeup without disposable wipes

12/13/2024

A pea-sized dollop of coconut oil will remove eye makeup brilliantly. Beware disposable makeup wipes as they are made from plastic fibers which become microplastics.

Warm a pea-sized dollop of coconut oil in your palms and gently massage it in the eye area with your fingertips. Disposable makeup wipes are one of the leading contributors to landfills and generally made with plastic which breaks down into smaller plastic particles that pollute our waterways.

Read more about this issue at thegoodboutique.com and more skin care recipes at Earth911.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Recycle or trash contact lenses

10/25/2024

Billions of contact lenses are thrown into sinks or toilets every year in our country which break down into microplastics and do not degrade. Dispose of contacts in the trash or through recycling programs now available in optometry offices.

The environmental impact of microplastics has been well-documented and its long-term impact on human health is being studied. Contact lenses are not innocuous despite their small size.

Read more here

Decline the plastic straws

9/27/2024

At home and when eating out, decline the plastic straws to help reduce plastic waste in the environment.

Plastic disposable straws are not recyclable and contribute to the mounds of plastic waste created by our disposable culture. They become harmful when they are released into the environment where they can be detrimental to wildlife. Marine mammals and birds ingest discarded plastic straws, bags, bottle caps and other trash. When these plastic items become lodged in the gut, ultimately kills these animals. If you need to use a straw, there are better alternatives to disposable plastic. Reusable straws made of metal, bamboo, or glass often come with a brush to clean the inside. There are a variety of sustainably made disposable straws made from paper, pasta, or even seaweed.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Choose materials that can be repeatedly recycled

8/30/2024

Aluminum, other metals, and glass can be recycled infinite times; paper about five to seven times; and plastic once or twice, if at all.

Recyclable plastic is generally recycled down or “downcycled” so a water bottle may become synthetic fabric, insulation, or plastic lumber but cannot be recycled further. By contrast, metals and glass are infinitely recyclable.

Read more here at Earth911.com

Photo by Ty Nigh, Flickr

Look for less packaging when you buy

8/16/2024

Compare and contrast when you shop—for less packaging!

Many items come in a variety of packaging styles. Consumers are increasingly choosing items with less packaging or none at all--and businesses need to listen.

Read more here at PR Newswire.

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