In a world inundated with plastic, it’s become increasingly evident that recycling won’t solve the mounting plastic waste crisis. We’ve delved into this issue at length, from our in-depth Mom Detective investigation on breaking up with plastic to our comprehensive list of resources about the failure of plastics recycling.
Tell President Biden: Negotiate a Powerful Global Plastics Treaty
Now that we’re becoming increasingly aware that recycling plastic doesn’t work, it’s up to us to find ways to practice the other two—often forgotten—Rs: reduce and reuse. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly endless process of ridding our lives of plastic, especially for busy moms who are already juggling a lot. However, by making one small change at a time, we can make great strides.
We recently asked Moms’ staff across the country to share their practical insights for cutting down on plastics. It’s encouraging how certain habits have become the norm for many of us. Many Moms shared that they use reusable shopping bags, drink from a refillable water bottle instead of single-use bottled water, and opt for products that don’t come in plastic containers. But even more inspiring were these six pro tips they shared that are cost-efficient and easy to implement—invaluable ways to reduce your reliance on plastic:
1. Cut Down on Individual Packaging.
We use a big block of olive oil soap cut into chunks. One sits in a dish by the sink (on top of a natural loofah soap cushion—which soaks up the soap and can then later be used to clean the sink, counters, etc.). Another chunk goes into the shower, and another by the bathroom sink for handwashing. It is the best multitasker! —Brooke Petry, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania Organizer, South Philadelphia, PA
2. No Bags? Go Bag-Free.
If I forget my reusable bags, I take my groceries home without bags and try not to forget again! —Laurie Anderson, Moms Clean Air Force Colorado Organizer, Broomfield, CO
3. Real Plates and Utensils, Always.
We use real plates and utensils for every occasion and even have a set of reusable utensils in the car for eating on the run. We have an extra set in a box in the basement for special occasions when more people are over that we bought secondhand from thrift stores. —Vanessa Lynch, Moms Clean Air Force Pennsylvania Organizer, Pittsburgh, PA
4. With DIY Detergent, You Choose the Container.
I make my own laundry detergent with this simple recipe. And I have my own container I bought to store it in! —Chelsea Lyons, Moms Clean Air Force North Carolina Organizer, Madison, NC
5. Plastic-Free Children’s Parties Are Possible.
We never do goody bags for birthday parties. We usually do one party favor for each child. This year it was Mario Kart Uno—paper cards in a paper box. We’ve done coloring books and crayons before; I bought a large box of crayons and tied bundles for each kid in twine. We also avoid balloons and plastic plates/utensils. Only paper decorations. For a Pokémon party last year, I decorated with my daughter’s Pokémon stuffies instead of buying new stuff. —Julie Kimmel, Moms Clean Air Force Manager, Editorial and Member Cultivation, Reston, VA
6. Say No to Fast Fashion.
As a conscientious mother, I try my best to stay away from plastic clothing and fast fashion. As a former retail worker, I had to remove clothing that made it to the recall list due to the toxicity of the clothing. It could cause cancer. —Shaina Oliver, Moms Clean Air Force Colorado Organizer, Denver, CO
Old habits may die hard, but new habits can become second nature pretty easily too. If we harness the power of collective action and commit to mindful consumption practices, we will all play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, plastic-free future.
Learn more about Moms’ work on petrochemical pollution.
Tell President Biden: Negotiate a Powerful Global Plastics Treaty