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Growing up in Oregon, I constantly heard wise words from my mother like "lets recycle that," "you can walk," "don't use too much water," "whole wheat is better than white," "no dessert if you don't eat your vegetables," "dark lettuce is better for you than light," "paper over plastic," "don't leave anything behind" and so much more. Her healthy ways got me into many sports and helped turn me into a record-setting track athlete. In 2006, my mother lost a 3 year battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease; something nobody would have ever expected. That was right around the time I joined the Surfrider Foundation in San Diego and had my first child, whom she never met. Now 10 years have passed since losing my mother, yet volunteering for the Surfrider Foundation, and becoming a mother, I've noticed her words have come through clearer than ever. In addition to personal training and triathlon coaching, I have done some blogging to help our planet, and improve lives. I hope you enjoy my content, and join me in my journey for a cleaner planet and promoting happier, healthier lives!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Life Without Plastic Bags?

Approximately 1 TRILLION plastic bags are used worldwide each YEAR!  But plastics are recyclable right?  The fact is, only a very small percentage of plastics are ever recycled, plastics don't decompose, and the majority are either left in landfills or scattered around the Earth.  Approximately 10% of plastic made every year ends up in the ocean.  Many have recognized these facts, leading to a few city-wide plastic bag bans in 16 states, with California leading the country, pushing an entire state-wide plastic bag bill to start Jan 1, 2015.  If you are a California resident, please follow this link to support the measure.  The Surfrider Foundation is also working on several other states, so please check here for yours, and contact your closest chapter.  If your state is not there, please follow this link for two ways to start a ban in your town!

THE DILEMMA: #1: What to use?  #2: If you don't bring home plastic bags, what do you put your household waste in without buying more plastic bags?

My SOLUTIONS: #1: Keep several reusable bags in your car.  When you bring in groceries, shake them out and put back in your car.  Reusable bags are STRONG.  They'll hold much more than plastic and not break.  I have bags I've used for up to 10 years!!!  (Think how much plastic that's saved?)  #2: If you have city garbage pick-up, get a reusable liner or use NO liner and just rinse your garbage can and recycling bin.  In your home, use washable, reusable liners (if you need one at all).  Dump your waste from your house directly into the large garbage bin from your small house cans, shake out or rinse out the liner and you're ready for the next load.
Here are some examples:  PlanetWise Reusable Trash Bag, or lots of great stuff from "moocowmamma".

Also try to compost your food scraps rather than throwing them in the garbage or wasting water and energy on the garbage disposal.  There are countertop compost "Crocks" which start composting your food waste without smelling up your kitchen or attracting fruit flies until you're ready to dump in in your garden or yard.  These are a great idea for people with small or no yards.

Then to help reduce waste, here's my reusable sandwich and snack bags I use...  Chicobags, Lunchskins, BlueAvacado clear zip bags, and SlimSnacks.

If you know how to sew, make your own!  If you rinse and reuse on a regular basis, the bags will more than pay themselves off.




Feel free to ask questions, and check back for more, as I'm always searching for solutions!
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 19, 2014 at 9:25 PM

    Yum! I'm definitely trying these. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 23, 2014 at 1:02 PM

      Thanks Stacy! Funny how it posted under plastic bags instead of the cookie post, but maybe it'll make people look there next. I appreciate it either way. :)

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