Matthew Bronson

Retail employees are the final line of defence in plastic bag use. A simple question of asking if someone needs a bag can help customers really think of they do. And definitely don't ask if someone needs a bag for something that is already made with a handle!

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

I will pick up 4 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

I will plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

I will spend 30 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community that follows the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.