Some facts

According to the Earth Policy Institute, the U.S. consumes 100 billion plastic bags each year and only used for an average of 12 minutes!

According to Forbes, in the U.S. alone people throw out 200 billion paper cups and 25 billion Styrofoam cups each year!

Single use items are not only to-go cups, plastic cutlery or paper napkins. It also includes online shopping packaging, food packaging, household items, plastic bottles and MUCH MORE!

Single to minimal use items are creating devastating effects on our planet’s waterways, oceans, marine life. The things we throw “away” go somewhere and often take thousands of years to break down, if they ever do.

INDIVIDUAL SOLUTIONS

Acknowledging the cultural habits we have inherited and being constantly reminded how awful they are for the environment, can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless.

Creating less waste requires a shift in lifestyle that can come gradually over time. As more people and businesses become aware of the destructive effects of our actions, simple solutions become more accessible and widespread.

Here are some individual actions that we can take in our daily lives:

• Bring your own reusable cup, to-go containers, cloth napkin to places where you will be taking a food item with you
• Bring your own reusable bags to the market, large and small for produce and bulk items.
• Buy products with recyclable, reusable, or minimal packaging
• Write a consumer concern letter to businesses that use a lot of unnecessary packaging on their products.

Zero waste grocery stores! - Check out Litterless for a list of stores that are zero waste or have large bulk sections. In SF, we love Rainbow Grocery.

Support companies creating sustainable materials, like Full Cycle Bioplastics

Easy things you can do to reduce your waste

1. Get reusable mugs and bags!

Did you know that Philz will fill up a reusable mug with your favorite coffee or latte and just charge you for a small?? This is kind of a big deal, folks.

Klean Kanteen, based out of Chico, Ca., donates part of their annual profits to 1% for the Planet.

If you purchase coffee in a reusable container 3x a week, you'll save over 150 cups a year. That could accumulate to upwards of 7,000 cups over a lifetime.

2. Print this and hang in on your door!

Don't forget your reusable mugs and bags. Print this handy PDF, tape it to the inside of your front door, and give the other 3 to friends!