Plastic Free
@ Berkeley Lab
From manufacturing to disposal, single-use plastics threaten public health and the environment.
A Berkeley Lab study estimates that by 2050 "plastic production could account for between 21% to 31% of the global carbon emission budget required to limit global temperature increase to just 1.5 degrees Celsius."
Plastic Free July is a global movement to raise awareness about plastic pollution, to inspire people to give up single-use plastics during July, and to create new habits and ideas around reuse. Small steps can make a big difference — the nonprofit Plastic Free Foundation estimates an average of 2 billion kg/year of household waste has been avoided by Plastic Free July participants.
What Can You Do?
Bring Your Own (water bottle, containers, reusable bags, etc.)
REFILL your own containers with bulk foods and home & personal care products
Choose plastic-free products
Take the Plastic-Free Challenge (Learn more in the Plastic Free July Video)
Get started with the Plastic-Free Checklist or a few First Steps
Plastic-Free-Checklist.pdfBRING YOUR OWN (BYO)
A great way to reduce plastic waste is to Bring Your Own (BYO)... coffee mug, water bottle, cutlery, food containers, and shopping bags - for all of your purchases.
When in doubt - ASK if you can use your own items.
Get a FREE Reusable Cutlery Set and keep it handy in your office, bag, or car.
See more Bring Your Own Tips!
REFILL
Try bringing reusables (containers, recycled jars, etc.) to fill with bulk foods and personal/home care products.
Some of our favorite places are listed below. Check out https://zerowastecalifornia.org/bulk-grocery-stores/ for more options.
Many also carry plastic-free alternatives to common household items.
2020 Oregon St, Berkeley, CA
920 Heinz Ave, Berkeley, CA
(bulk foods)
San Francisco, CA
(bulk personal & home care)
Ecology Center
530 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702
(bulk personal & home care, eco products, HelpDesk, events...)
1579a Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA
(bulk personal & home care)
2112B Vine St, Berkeley, CA
(bulk personal & home care)
3033 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA
(extensive bulk food)
546 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA
1224 Solano Ave, Albany, CA
2132 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA
(spices in bulk / reusable glass jars)
1745 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA
(extensive bulk food; personal & home care)
Re-Up Refills
6025 College Ave, Oakland, CA
(bulk food, personal, & home care)
Refill Madness
Sonoma & Sacramento
(bulk personal & home care)
Simple SF
1001 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA
(bulk personal & home care)
WHERE TO THROW @ the Lab
What to do with waste at the Lab? Type in an item below to find out.
ViDEOS
The Story of Plastic highlights the intersection of the global plastics problem and environmental injustice.
