PLASTIC-FREE JULY
The Plastic-Free July community conversation on July 17th was well attended! Thank you for joining us!
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Big thanks to WM for co-hosting and providing a lot of great information on recycling, so we can do our best to recycle plastic more effectively in our community.
We're also grateful to special guests: David Garcia, Nevada County Solid Waste Division program manager, and Chris Newsom, Rotary Club Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair.
Key takeaways from the evening were that plastics, especially single-use plastics, are hazardous and far too ubiquitous in our lives, and that we can't burn, bury, or recycle our way out of the plastic crisis. We talked about the importance of stopping plastics at the source by seeking better alternatives and telling businesses that we would like them to offer more sustainable alternatives. Voting with our dollars is much more effective when we let businesses know what's driving our buying choices. Scroll down on this page to view some of the information shared at the event.
As we closed out the evening, many of us pledged to rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle (when we do end up with plastics). Though our individual actions may seem insignificant, together we are a powerful force in catalyzing change.
Those who missed the event or did not have a chance to take the pledge with us, may do so at any time via the button below or our Plastic Pledge page. We will share with local businesses how many of us in the community are serious about significantly reducing plastics in our lives.
The Climate-Plastic Connection
Why Reduce Plastic?
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.
Plastic-Free July Resources
SPEAK UP!
Communicate to businesses through these mobile phone applications:
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Remark App
Remark makes it easy to email the manager of a business with respectful comments on sustainability practices you would like them to follow or to thank them for good practices. For instance, tell your local shops to stop using Styrofoam or to sell more products in aluminum, glass, or paper versus plastic packaging. Remark makes sending feedback easy!
Get the app at remark.eco
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Climate Action Now App
Take planet-saving action on your phone in seconds!
Get the app: climateactionnow.com
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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 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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Stay abreast of California legislation relating to plastic here:
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Gaia Soap Supply
Refill Shop
106 Argall Way, Nevada City, CA (530) 265-2210
Fabulous refill shop in beautiful & historic Nevada City, CA. Obtain all the essentials for your cleaning needs: 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.
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.