CARRY REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
Whether you're shopping for groceries, clothes or electronics, be sure to bring along the reusable bag(s) of your choice. Keep them in your car so you don't forget to use them.
GIVE UP BOTTLED WATER
By drinking your water from a glass jar or a reusable bottle, you can help reduce the environmental costs associated with producing bottled water and save money while you're at it.
SAY NO TO PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS
Bagging your produce is generally unnecessary. If you do want a separate bag for produce, cloth options are available.
BUY FROM BULK BINS
You can find almost all dry foods, as well as some personal care products, from bulk bins. If you can't find bulk bins in your neighborhood, you can still buy non-perishable goods in large packages, which will decrease the amount of plastic used.
MAKE YOUR OWN SOFT DRINK
When it comes to carbonated drinks, you can avoid the need for purchasing disposable bottles by making your own soft drink.
PACK FOOD IN REUSABLE CONTAINERS
Bring reusable containers to restaurants to take home your leftovers. Ask the butcher or deli server at your grocery store to package your food in your reusable container. Use them to pack your lunch, and don't forget to carry along reusable utensils.
CHOOSE MILK IN RETURNABLE GLASS BOTTLES
Many communities have local dairies that provide milk in returnable glass bottles rather than plastic or plastic-coated cardboard.
USE BAR SOAP AND SHAMPOO
Make the change from liquid to bar shampoo and soap!
CHOOSE LOTIONS AND LIP BALMS IN PLASTIC-FREE CONTAINERS
Organic Essence is packaging its body lotions in compostable cardboard jars and its lip balms in ingenious cardboard tubes that squeeze from the end. Or you can even make your own products.
MAKE SURE YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS ARE PHTHALATE-FREE
Phthalates, which are plasticizers, have become standard as additives to scented products because they help fra- grances last longer. But research has shown reasons to be concerned about the impact of phthalates on our health .
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