Plastics 101

Learn more and get started

Don't know where to start? Read up about different types of plastics, learn about the issues they cause, and find out what you are producing at home.

Read Plastic-Free Challenge emails

I will read through the three emails each week to learn more about plastic and get ideas on how to use less.

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DAILY ACTION
Know the Numbers

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn more about what the symbols on plastics mean.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Plastic by the number (Plastic Action Centre)

Chasing arrows (WUSA9)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Complete a waste audit

I will spend (___) minutes conducting a waste audit- including recyclables and compost- to understand how much plastic waste I create and where I can reduce the most.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to conduct a waste audit (Conserve Energy Future)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Plastic Footprint Calculator
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Stop "wishcycling"

Contamination makes the recycling process more difficult. I will review which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my county and recycle only those items.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

What is recycling contamination? (Ridwell)

Recycling guide (Hennepin County)

Recycling at home (Ramsey County)

Household recycling (Washington County)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Learn about bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic

I will learn about what different descriptions and marketing terms mean when used on plastics.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

FAQs on plastic recycling and composting (EPA)

What does BPI certified actually mean? (GreenPaper Products)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about plastic waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

The Plastic Problem - A PBS NewsHour Documentary

Plastic Wars FRONTLINE
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Put compostable plastics in the right place

I will make sure any BPI-certified compostable plastic products I use will be disposed of correctly by putting them in my curbside compost/food scraps bin or taking them to a drop-off location and not placing them in the regular recycling.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

What does BPI certified actually mean? (GreenPaper Products)

Organics recycling (Hennepin County)

Food scraps drop-off sites (Ramsey County)

Food scraps collection (Washington County)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Recycle Plastic Bags

Instead of trashing them, I will recycle (___) plastic bags per day bringing them to a drop-off or special pickup
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Green Disposal Guide: Plastic bags and wrap

Recycle beyond the bag (Trex)
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DAILY ACTION
Recycle Plastic Caps

I will recycle (___) plastic caps per day by placing them back on the plastic bottles before placing them in my recycling bin.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Recycling Rigid Plastics Beyond Bottles: Caps On! (The Association of Plastics Recyclers)

Recycling Journey of a Plastic Cap
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DAILY ACTION
Avoid Harmful Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polyvinyl, polystyrene and polycarbonate (#3,#6 and #7).
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Food grade plastics (Plascene)
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DAILY ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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