RECIPE FOR #plasticfree CHANGE
- 4-steps, starting with a home waste audit!

Learn about the PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS here ->
​More: TAKE ACTION for Zero Waste, Plastic Pollution and Climate Crises ->
When people first learn about the plastic pollution crisis and want to take action,
they often ask, "Where do I start?” 
 We suggest starting with a simple, one-week home waste audit!
This is an easy way to get a picture of the amounts and types of plastics you and your household actually use each week, and what specific steps you can take to reduce the use of each specific item.
  -- Save all your single-use plastic packaging for one week.
​  -- Lay out all the items on a tarp or an old sheet and organize the items by the categories #1-3 below.
  -- Photograph the items as arranged. Please share this photos on social media and tag @cafcu on Instagram (@cafeteriaCu on Twitter) , as well as stores, manufacturers and policy makers. This visual data is very helpful for sparking #plasticfree change!
            

1.     PERSONAL/ HOME: items you have control over; you can reduce  simply by refusing to take.
Your consumer dollars have power. Consider which plastic items are part of your shopping routine, such as plastic packaging, bags, utensils, and cups, that are easy to avoid. 
ACTION IDEAS:
  • Plan ahead! Bring your own (BYO) bags, utensils, and cups; and when possible, buy food from bulk containers and buy produce that is not pre-wrapped in plastic.
  • At checkout, put your purchases into your own reusable bags; and refuse to take plastic straws and plastic cutlery with to-go orders.
(You maybe already be doing step #1. Why not challenge yourself to move onto steps 2 & 3?)

2.     LOCAL SHOPPING: single-use plastics that are routinely included with your to-go food or retail store purchases, such as plastic bags, straws, cutlery and, excess packaging.  These items are often not needed or replaceable with more sustainable choices. Store managers may not be thinking about this. 
ACTION IDEAS: 
  • Talk to the store manager. and suggest reduction of their single-use plastic items; be sure to follow-up with an email and CC the owner.  Share our “Plastic Pollution Crisis” points!
  • Encourage the store manager to talk about plastic reduction at staff meetings; they can save money by having the cashier ask before handing out single-use cutlery and straws.
  • Suggest to the manager to ask their supplier about alternative, plastic free products.
  • Make a "Straws by Request Only" sign, bring it to the store and ask the manger (see our video for inspiration); make other signs to encourage reusables, such as “BYO bag and BYO cup.”
  • Urge store owners to stop pre-packaging items in plastic (such as bananas, other produce, clothing, accessories and so much more).

3.     MANUFACTURERS: single-use plastics packaging used for shipping, and as part of the design of containers, and excessive, non-recyclable plastic wrap used for produce, snack foods, clothing, and electronics. 
ACTION IDEAS: 
  • Tell your favorite brands that you want less plastic packaging and remember to share why(see ideas here). Make it personal. Tag them on social media with photos of their over-packaged items,, write letters, call customer service, and lead awareness campaigns to reduce excess plastic packaging!

Then move onto Step 4!
MOST IMPORTANT for system-wide change  (youth-led action urgently needed here)
4.     POLICY:
School food policies that eliminate polystyrene (aka, styrofoam) trays and other single-use plastics, such as mustard and ketchup packets, are also urgently needed and an excellent palace for students to learn how to advocate for changes on a hyper-local level!

Well crafted local, state and national laws can stop plastic pollution “upstream” and lead to long-lasting change. These include bans on single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, straws, utensils, foam cups, as well as laws to hold manufacturers responsible for the end-life of their products (aka, Extended Producer Responsibility). 

ACTION IDEAS: 
School Food - Meet with your school food director and principal to suggest reducing single-use plastics in your school cafeteria. If you can collect data first, you will have a stronger case for change!  

Laws - call, write, or ask to meet with your local, state, and national elected representatives! Let them know that you support policies, such as laws, fees, and bans, that reduce single-use plastic waste; share WHY this is important to you and your community.  
See our TAKE ACTION Page ->

If this sounds intimidating, try starting an Eco Club at your school and inspire others to help you! Build momentum for a youth-led, school-wide plastic free, climate smart movement!
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MORE IDEAS AND RESOURCES