V.O.S. completed the Plastic-Free July challenge!
Last month, 14 VOS team members signed up for the Plastic-Free July challenge, a global contest designed to encourage millions of people to refuse single-use plastic and be part of the solution to plastic pollution. A small change with an ambitious goal: protecting our oceans and wildlife, using less natural resources, fighting climate crisis and contributing to cleaner streets and communities. Here are some of their experiences. We hope they inspire you to take the challenge, whether this month or in November! To help you during your journey, go to the bottom of this post to download our 30 days of tips.
Register here: http://www.plasticfreejuly.org
Scott Mayger
Achievement you are the most proud of?
Not eating any takeout that can only be served in a plastic container.
“Weird” moment to share?
Bringing reusable containers to the farmer’s market to buy fish.
Plastic-free must-have?
The bigger portable mug I purchased for iced coffee!
Was it easier than you thought?
It was not hard at all. We already use our own bags at stores/markets, we buy local rather than from online companies (lots of packaging) whenever possible, and we take our own containers and refillable jars for buying in bulk (spices, flour, nuts, dried fruit, vinegars, mustards, oils, etc.). Every week, we also take our scraps to the farmers market for composting.
Rebekah Kennedy
Did you inspire somebody else to take the challenge?
Yes, five friends.
Plastic-free must-have?
Rubbermaid containers. I have them in different sizes, and they are perfect for bringing my lunch and snacks to work.
Was it easier than you thought?
Yes!
Steven Beckler
Achievement you are the most proud of?
That my wife yesterday said, “I feel guilty if I do not take enough reusable bags to the store”.
Plastic-free must-have?
My stainless steel thermos that starts as a coffee container and moves to water container in the middle of the day.
Was it easier than you thought?
Yes, it just takes a bit more effort to reprogram yourself when most stores and restaurants haven’t given it much thought. Constant “no bag”, “no fork”, “no knife” and “no napkin, please!”
Eric Thorner
Did you inspire somebody else to take the challenge?
My wife was happy to join in, and was very diligent. She made sure to always remind me to take our reusable shopping bags before I went to the grocery store.
“Weird” moment to share?
Every time I purchased produce, the cashiers looked at me a bit strangely for not having leafy greens into plastic bags. Once I mentioned our Plastic-Free July challenge, it clicked. Hopefully I gave them something to thing about!
Plastic-free must-have?
My Swell insulated water bottle and Yeti insulated cup have become items I can’t live without!
Marie Couwez
Achievement you are the most proud of?
Switching from Earthy dish soap (eco-friendly but still coming in a plastic bottle) to Dr Bronner’s soap bar for hand-washing dishes. Moving on from body lotion in tubes and bottles to shea butter in bulk and coconut oil in glass bottles.
Did you inspire somebody else to take the challenge?
Hopefully, a lot of people! Starting with the V.O.S. team:)
Plastic-free must-have?
Zojirushi coffee thermos. Totally leak-proof (if you remember to put back all the parts after washing….), and it keeps my coffee cold or hot for hours. Swell water bottle. A big cotton bag in my handbag at all times. Lush shampoo bar.
“Weird” moment to share?
I still need leak-proofs containers. I had a couple accidents, with stuff ending up in my handbag or on my pants.
Jason Albaum
Achievement you are the most proud of?
As someone who had been drinking four cups of coffee a day, I took this opportunity to also switch from purchasing coffee to making it and bringing it each morning – I’m down to 2 cups a day. At first I complained about having one more thing to carry; but the Hydro Flask fits in my bag. I thought it would not stay hot, yet the flask keeps it hot all morning!
Plastic-free must-have?
My Hydro Flask! I don’t see it as an inconvenience anymore. I use it everyday and it has become an essential part of my routine.
Was it easier than you thought?
Yes. Once I made the commitment, I had no more minor excuses. It has also helped me beginning to scale down senseless purchases and waste in other areas.
Eric Blander
Achievement you are the most proud of?
Getting all my iced coffees in my new insulated coffee thermos! It stays cold longer, no waste.
What will you be working on in August?
Eliminating the plastic Ziplock bags from my kitchen – I already had a bunch of stuff individually frozen in these before this month, but I’m not buying anymore!
Plastic-free must-have?
My backpack, water bottle, coffee thermos.
Was it easier than you thought?
It was generally pretty easy. The hardest thing in NYC is takeout containers. I only ordered food twice this month:)
Jazmen Greene
Achievement you are the most proud of?
Leaving the plastic bags behind – they are pretty wasteful. If I could chug along without them, I did. It wasn’t a perfect July, but I used far less than I normally do. It felt good!
Did you inspire somebody else to take the challenge?
My mother got on board with me. It made it easier to leave plastic behind. She stopped forgetting to use her reusable shopping bag —and now she prefers it!
Plastic-free must-have?
Glass containers for lunch. That’s a must. It’s better for the planet, and just better all around.
Any “weird” moment to share?
Putting fruit in my purse, I was sometimes left with “eau de fruit”! – or whatever else I had in there. At least I know what I ate the day before! And I wasn’t wasteful:)
What will you be working on in August?
I’m not sure yet, but I will be more conscious than I was before.
Was it easier than you thought?
Yes. I don’t use as much plastic as I thought I did, but it made me more aware of my consumption.
Victor Schwartz
Favorite plastic-free tip?
Library books! It’s actually a plastic-free/move-your-legs-exercise-your-brain-save-the-trees tip! I try to find books at the library rather than buying them new, but if have to, I support my local bookstores. I make a point to not order from Amazon: their packaging is so wasteful!
Joanna Dorsey, administrative assistant.
Plastic-free must-have?
The wooden utensils that were a Christmas gift from our shipping company.
Did you inspire somebody else to take the challenge?
We decided to go plastic free in my house.
What will you be working on in August?
Encouraging others to go plastic free -starting with a plastic free BBQ at our house this weekend.
Was it easier than you thought?
It was quite hard because I use a lot of hair products and body creams that come in plastic containers. I think the best thing to do when transitioning to plastic-free is to take small but deliberate steps that work for you. I’m also repurposing to reduce waste: my shea butter containers are perfect to hold paper clips or rubber bands, and my coconut oil jars can be used to carry lunch items.
John Grosso, Long Island sales
Plastic-free must-have?
My 20 oz. Yeti cup. It keeps my homemade iced tea cold throughout the day, even in the heat! I also carry a thermos for coffee, should I need a pick me up. I make my own lunch – the best way to avoid prepackaged food – and I transport it in a glass container.
Was it easier than you thought?
Yes, you just need to remember to bring with you everything you need. Planning ahead is key. I’m more cognizant now of the plastic I’m using.
To help you during your journey, click here: Plastic Free Challenge – V.O.S. Selections 30 days of tips
