Kathy Smith

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

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

I will wash my clothing in cold water and hang it to dry to reduce the amount of microplastic shedding and to prolong the life of my garments.

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. 

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

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

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.

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.

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

I will make  1 of my own cleaning products (cleaners, detergents, soaps) instead of buying them in new spray bottles each time.