Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse
It’s time for MCIC to reintroduce Plastic Free July, a global initiative contributing to the vision of a world free of plastic waste. Not only is it about reducing single-use plastics for a month, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on how much plastic is present in our day-to-day lives!
Plastic is now pretty much everywhere, and when it breaks down into smaller fragments (called microplastics), they spread easily. Microplastics have been found nearly everywhere on the planet, negatively affecting life in waterways and the environment.
A lot of this is beyond the control of the average person. For that reason, we need to sound the alarm with our elected officials. Groups such as the Green Action Centre play a huge part in advocating for change regarding plastic consumption and reducing our carbon footprint.
Nevertheless, there are important choices we can make in our own lives. From the clothes we put on in the morning, to the toothbrush we brush our teeth with before bed, plastic is found in the sneakiest nooks and crannies of our lives. Cutting off plastic is not as simple as we think, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do–for many of the plastic items at home, there are likely creative ways to replace them, or reduce how much you consume.
Here are some ideas to try out over Plastic Free July!
1) Ask: Is it really single-use?
When something plastic is presented as “single-use”, it’s a good idea to think twice about how it can be used again.
Think of sandwich or freezer bags, the kind used to store dry foods, frozen fruits and vegetables. These trusty resealable bags may be resources that we can reuse depending on the circumstances they were used in.
If the bags are not torn or in poor condition, and did not store non-dry perishables like meat, fish, or eggs, they can be reused to a certain extent. The number of times a bag can be reused varies, as no one person will use a bag the same way. And don't forget, it’s important to properly wash the inside of the bags with soap and water before reusing.
There’s no shortage of foods that come in plastic containers, like yogurt, margarine, and restaurant take-out items. If the container was good to keep food in once, it’s good to keep food in again! Many people already reuse these items instead of buying purpose-made plastic containers. The best part? The lids are the same size every time!
2) Local and sustainable
Look for local business owners who are doing things differently—especially reducing waste. Outlets in Winnipeg like Refill Market and Planet Pantry offer refill and bulk options for household products. They also carry products for some unexpected ways to go plastic-free: bamboo and natural fiber toothbrushes, loofahs, utensils, and more.
There are many businesses that also encourage the return of their containers for reimbursement. Chaeban Ice Cream sells plenty of delicious types of ice cream that are perfect for cooling down during the summer heat. What makes it even sweeter? You can return their pint for a $1 refund. That’s a treat for both your wallet and the planet!
If you’re a fan of scented candles, Coal and Canary could be your go-to place. Not only do they have countless sweet, fruity, and tropical scents, you can burn and return! Once you’re finished with your candle, you can return it for $5 off of your next candle. Now that’s lit!
3) Less is more
A huge portion of our plastic waste isn’t from the products themselves, but from the packaging they come in. Keep an eye out when you shop for products with minimal packaging–even small improvements to reduce plastic can make a big impact on your personal footprint. These choices also demonstrate to producers that consumers don’t like excessive plastic packaging.
Are your shelves crammed with soap and shampoo bottles? Bar soaps take up less space, are more concentrated, and don’t need plastic packaging and dispensers. Even better, they can be found in all sorts of fun shapes and colours! Solid soap options are available for just about anything, from dog shampoo to shaving soap to clothing stain remover. Check out Art Soap Life who is making beautiful products, with minimal packaging, for skin and home right here in Winnipeg!
At the grocery store, it’s instinctive and simple to grab produce in a bag. When alternatives are available, choose options that are free of single-use packaging. Pick your own fruit and veggies and place it in a bag, such as for some bananas, pears, kiwis, etc. Forget about taking another bag and just use your own reusable one or the one given at checkout. You wouldn't want to add to the pile of bags at home, after all!
4) Care for your clothes, care for the planet!
Being mindful of your clothing choices and keeping them in top quality condition isn’t just good fashion, it’s good for the planet! With much of our modern wardrobes being made up of synthetic fibers like polyester that are plastic-based and come with all the negative environmental impacts of other plastics, (non-biodegradable, shed harmful microplastics, and are produced from fossil fuels) it can be challenging to cut it all out. Carefully considering our clothing choices and keeping our clothing in one piece for longer, directly reduces plastic waste. Here are a few actions you can take:
Look for alternatives to synthetic fibers. You can sign up for Fashion Revolution’s 2024 challenge #NoMorePolyester for guidance and inspiration here.
Consider reaching out and connecting with clothing designers and retailers that prioritize sustainability and natural fibers. Many designers like Simone’s Rose use organic and natural fiber textiles. Local clothing designers such as Anne Mulaire and Lennard Taylor offer repair and refurbishment options, so you don’t have to replace your clothes as often.
Want to know how to save time on laundry, save money and reduce your environmental impact? Just do less laundry! Washing clothes after one wear can be an instinctual habit, but it’s often not necessary. A quick sniff test and dirt scan can save your garment from an abrasive, water-intensive wash cycle. Many odour-causing bacteria can be killed by natural UV rays, so by simply hanging your clothing outside, you’ll not only be happy the sun is out, but your fresh clothing will surely make you smile!
Considerations for Plastic Free July:
It can be overwhelming to go totally plastic-free, so instead, focus on just one or two steps to reduce your plastic use. And remember, every small action counts! We don't need a handful of people going plastic-free perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly (quote adapted from Anne Marie Bonneau). You can check out our PFJ Challenge Calendar for more ideas and to get organized on what to do during Plastic Free July!
If you have any strategies from your household that cut down on plastic, we’d love to hear about it! Share on your socials using #PlasticFreeJuly and tag @MCIC_ca on Instagram or Facebook.
About the photos:
Top picture - Sourced from Refill, an example of a plastic jug that can be refilled.
Second picture - Three resealable plastic bags filled with vegetables.
Third picture - Sourced from Art Soap Life, a laundry soap bar that is sold locally.