Beyond Plastic-Free July

This month, social media and sustainability publications have been abuzz with plastic-free July tips, tricks, successes, and challenges. An initiative spanning 190 countries, participants pledge to refuse single-use plastic bags, bottles, wraps, and other disposables.

But what should we do when July draws to a close, the zeitgeist shifts to the next topic in the news cycle, and the novelty of going plastic-free wanes? One month of sustainable choices isn’t enough to correct the damage done by disposable plastics and the resulting microplastics— though it’s a great start. Here are additional steps we can take to continuously reduce plastic & energy waste and live more sustainably in our travels, work, and homes. 

T r a v e l

1.     Choose Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations
Choosing destinations off the beaten path helps avoid contributing to over-tourism. 

2.     Bring a Reusable Water Bottle, Water Filter, and Reusable Bag
The less waste we generate while traveling or at our destination, the less of an impact our travels have on the environment. 

3.     Stay in Sustainable Hotels
Choose hotels, resorts, and inns that have committed to being sustainable and responsible for their local communities. Stay tuned for a map of luxury hotels & resorts using our compostable, cruelty-free paper Papyrus solutions in their bathrooms, coming soon!
Choose places within LEED-certified buildings whenever possible. Hotels should also be committed to reducing water and electricity waste. Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog post about how to select a sustainable hotel for your travels to learn more!

4.     Spend an Afternoon Volunteering or Picking up Trash

Consider setting aside a morning or afternoon volunteering with a local charity at your destination, and help leave the world a better place than you found it while also giving back.

5.     Dine-In to Reduce Takeout Containers 
Reduce plastic waste by dining in instead of taking plastic to-go containers, which will inevitably end up in a landfill. Bamboo cutlery is an easy-to-carry alternative to plastic utensils. If you can’t avoid plastic take-away containers, consider washing them and using them as plant pots or storage containers inside a drawer, garage, or craft room to give them new life. 

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

W o r k

1.     Use Reusable Dishes, Cutlery, and Napkins Instead of Disposables
Say goodbye to single-use plastic coffee pods, plastic water cups, and plastic utensils. Instead, bring your mug, cutlery, and napkin from home. Wash and store in a clean place. It’s that simple!

2.     Turn on Energy-Efficiency Settings on Work Electronics
Most phones, laptops, and desktops come equipped with energy-saving features that help reduce electricity usage.

3.     Car Pool or Take Public Transit When Possible
A great way to get more involved in your community is to use public transit or carpooling with colleagues. Both reduce pollution, energy demands, and traffic. 

4.     Say No to AI
Each AI query is akin to dumping out two bottles of clean drinking water, thanks to the massive cooling requirements of the data centers that process these requests. Did you know that AI-generated content cannot be copyrighted because it’s not considered a real creation? That means competitors can use the same imagery or content you generate via AI and use it as their own! Support human creativity and stand out from the crowd by outsourcing to talented creatives, rather than relying on AI. 

5.     Encourage & Educate Higher-Ups or Office Managers to Make Responsible, Eco-Friendly Business Decisions
Ask them to make greener buying decisions, such as opting for recycled or compostable paper products & office supplies, low-energy LED bulbs, vegetarian or vegan caterers, and sourcing locally whenever possible to reduce their carbon footprint. 

H o m e

 Many of the above also apply at home. As light bulbs burn out, replace them with LED bulbs, which last a decade or longer. Switch from disposable paper towels and napkins to washable cloth napkins. Instead of throwing out broken or damaged clothing, furniture, or electronics, learn to repair them using community resources or YouTube tutorials. 

Sign up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) to enjoy fresh, locally-grown produce from growers in your community. Compost kitchen scraps and reintegrate the resulting compost into flower beds, gardens, and dry patches of lawn for more vibrant growth. Minimize food waste by eating at home more often, and then store leftovers in glass storage containers with bamboo lids. When landscaping and gardening, select native plants that are well-suited to the local climate and require minimal watering or special care.

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