RESOURCES
The Climate-Plastic Connection. Why Reduce Plastic?
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Plastic is one of the most persistent pollutants on Earth. It's made to last - and it does, often for 400 years or more. The plastic industry’s contribution to climate change will outpace coal by 2030!
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Less than 16% of plastics are recycled – the rest goes to landfill for incineration, or is just dumped.
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Many plastics end up in the ocean, where they harm plant & animal life and release greenhouse gasses (methane & ethylene), as they slowly break down. Microplastics are also a human health hazard.
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Microplastics affect the ability of marine microorganisms to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, creating a negative feedback loop.
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Plastic incineration is a major source of air pollution, a climate change driver and serious human health hazard.
SHOP (LOCAL)
Refill shop in beautiful & historic Nevada City, CA. Obtain all the essentials to get clean, plus individual raw ingredients, essential oils, and other goodies at comfortable prices. Most products are sold by the ounce, so you only purchase as much as you need. Bring your own clean containers. New containers available for purchase.
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The food coop has a bulk foods section and a small selection of personal hygiene products from which you can refill your own container!
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LEARN
Learn about current waste-related legislation making its way through the California legislature.
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NEVADA COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION NOW (NCCAN)
Our parent organization, NCCAN, is a group dedicated to addressing global warming and its causes and effects through mindfulness, education, and action, and to challenging tghe systems that are creating global climate change.
BEYOND PLASTICS
Our affiliate, Beyond Plastics, is a nationwide project, based at Bennington College in Vermont, whose mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere.
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics! (Courtesy of Plastic-FreeJuly.org)
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We have a problem with Stuff: we have too much of it, too much of it is toxic, and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be.
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WM (WASTE MANAGEMENT) - Recycle Right
Local solid waste management resource.
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WATCH
​THE STORY OF PLASTIC - Animated short film.
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To combat unequal access to information THE WHY produces & donates documentaries to underserved countries and distributes them on a sliding fee scale to other broadcasters around the world. THE WHY's vision is to make investigative documentaries available to everyone, everywhere. By securing access to informative documentary films for everyone, they encourage global critical debate on pressing human rights and environmental issues. Watch THE WHY on plastics here: https://www.thewhy.dk/whyplastic
Plastic-Free July Resources
SPEAK UP!
Communicate to businesses in writing or in person:
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Sample Letter Template for Styrofoam:
Customize this template to send a letter to a local restaurant that uses polystyrene (Styrofoam) take out containers, and ask them to switch to a more sustainable, less hazardous material.
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CALIFORNIA PLASTICS LEGISLATION
Kindly remind local businesses about these important laws:
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California AB 1276 requires full-service restaurants to provide single-use foodware accessories and single-use condiment packets only upon request.
Download and print this sign and details about the law to share with restaurants: AB1276 Sign
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California AB 619 allows, but does not require, the use of clean consumer-owned containers that would be brought into the food facility for filling. Ask your neighborhood restaurants if they will fill your own clean container.
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California SB 54, Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, effective March 2025. Learn more at CalRecycle.
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Stay current on California legislation relating to plastic here:
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Courtesy of thenerdyfarmwife.com
Natural cleaning recipes you can whip up with ingredients you probably already have in your cabinets (or you can pick up at Gaia Soap Supply (see above). Making your own cleaning solutions is a great way to minimize packaging and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
WINDOW CLEANER
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 pinch cornstarch
Optional: 1 tbsp vodka/alcohol
COUNTER / All PURPOSE SPRAY
1 cup water
3 tbsp rubbing alcohol/vodka
2 tsp liquid castile soap
SCOURING POWDER I
1/2 cup baking soda
Zest of 1/2 lemon
4-5 drops lemon e.o.
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SCOURING POWDER 2
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup washing soda/borax
5 drops citrus e.o.
BATHROOM CLEANER
1/2 tbsp liquid castile soap
14 drops tea tree e.o.
7 drops peppermint e.o.
1 cup water
ALL PURPOSE SPRAY
3/4 tbsp liquid castile soap
10 - 15 drops citrus e.o
1 cup water
AIR FRESHENER SPRAY
2 tbsp vodka
6-8 drops e.o.
2 tbsp water
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CABINET WASH
1/2 tbsp Murphy's Oil Soap
Optional: 5 drops cedarwood
or juniper e.o
1 to 2 cups warm water
DUSTING CLOTHS
5 tsp jojoba or olive oil
20 drops lemon e.o.
1 cup hot water
Old t-shirt, cut in squares
WOOD FURNITURE SPRAY
2 tbsp olive oil
3 drops lemon e.o.
4 tbsp white vinegar
EASY SOFT LIKE SCRUB
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 tbsp liquid castile soap
water, to slightly thin mix
KITCHEN FLOOR CLEANER
2 tbsp liquid castile soap
15-20 drops lemon e.o
1 gallon hot water
e.o. = essential oil;
citrus e.o. = lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit
Instructions:
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For sprays: Mix in a spray bottle, shake well before use.
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For dusting cloths: Mix oil + essential oil. Add hot water, mix well. Swish cloths in water mixture, squeeze out, hang dry. Hand rinse used cloths; line dry. (NO dryer.)
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For scouring powders & scrubs: Mix well, scrub over surfaces with a wet sponge, rag, or toilet brush, depending on area you're cleaning. Rinse thoroughly.
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Wear gloves to protect hands while cleaning.
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Spot test all cleaners before using over a larger area.
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Don't use vinegar on granite, stone, or marble.
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CAUTION: Not all essential oils are safe around pets. Check with your vet.