"We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly."

- Anne Marie Bonneau 

• This month, we will focus our attention on decreasing consumption of plastic. 
• Why? Plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems and we hate to tell you this, but most isn't recycled.
• We will provide some ideas below, and you can share your suggestions.  Email decaturclimate@gmail.com! 

Upcoming Events:

• Come visit us at the Beecatur festival June 25th. We will show some solutions below!

Learn: Alternatives to Plastic 

• Aluminum, cardboard/paper, and glass are much more easily recycled. 
• Examples: floss without plastic which you can refill, bamboo toothbrushes, metal razors, silicone food bags (some of these are at Ace hardware), stainless steel straws.
• Try REFILLING your toiletries or pantry items. Sprouts supermarket has a great bulk food section; you can easily refill any ziploc type bags you previously used. Some great local businesses to think about: Tap refills your bathroom/kitchen soaps so you don't have to keep buying the containers and The Rounds drops off items to your door and reuses the containers. 

Act: Buy Bars, Sheets, and Salts. Oh My!

• If you buy something in solid form, you will need less or no plastic. In addition to soap bars, try using shampoo bars, dishwashing bars,  refillable soap tablets, refillable deodorants, or laundry sheets. You can get refillable bath salts in downtown Decatur and shampoo bars at Target. 
• Make your own household cleaning spray and refill your own bottles: Combine 1 teaspoon of dish detergent (the kind used for hand washing dishes) with 16 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Swirl gently to combine. That's it!

Other Considerations: 

• Store some reusable bags in your car. Try not to buy brand new ones! Ask around. Lots of people have extra they don't need. Many people get them from meetings/events.
• Reuse little plastic bags for produce. If you take out produce out as soon as you bring it home, the bags will be clean and ready to re-use

• When you order take out, ask the restaurant to hold off on the cutlery set if you don’t need it and tell them you don't need a bag. Bring your own! 

• If you usually get leftovers when dining out, bring an extra container from home before leaving. 

• What are your solutions? Let us know! ADVOCATE by telling others what you do and encouraging them to do the same!