Plastic and Pollution
Act on Plastic Pollution
Act On Plastic Pollution
Life in plastic, it’s not fantastic
Ready to help us in our global campaign to end plastic pollution? Learn more with our Plastic Pollution Primer and Action Toolkit, then follow the suggestions below.
You might know ‘the 3 R’s’ — reduce, reuse, recycle — but we suggest the 6 R’s:
The 6 R’s of plastic pollution:
- REDUCE
- REUSE
- REFUSE
- REMOVE
- RECYCLE
- RALLY
Reduce
- Reduce your own plastic waste. Start by using our plastic calculator to track how much you use — then you can take steps to reduce your use and waste.
Reuse
- Bring your own reusable shopping and produce bags to markets, and avoid using single-use plastic bags.
- Bring your own reusable coffee cup when going out to get beverages.
- Like sipping through straws? Get a reusable stainless steel, glass, or bamboo one to use instead of wasteful plastic ones.
- Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, invest in a water filter and reusable water bottle(s). Bonus: it’s cheaper in the long run.
- Make your own reusable cloth bags from old t-shirts, using basic sewing skills (or no sewing at all). (Find simple instructions online).
- Choose clothing and other personal items made from earth-friendly materials instead of microfibers and other synthetic fibers, which pollute our water. (Even more ways to green your style.)
- Bring a reusable container to a restaurant with you when you expect to have leftovers.
Always carry a reusable bag
Although they are billed for their “convenience,” grocery bags are extremely inconvenient for the planet.
Refuse
- Refuse straws: It’s as simple as adding, “No straw, please” when requesting beverages at restaurants or cafes
- Refuse plastic beverage tops. (Are you really going to spill?)
Remove
- Pick up trash in your neighborhood and when visiting parks and beaches.
Volunteer for a cleanup in your community
Ready to take the first step in protecting our planet? There’s no better way to…
Recycle
- Recycle the plastics you use and no longer need.
- Return single-use bags to grocery stores for them to recycle.
Rally
- Does your city or state have bans on single-use plastics? Send a letter or call your local elected leaders, urging them to ban plastic bags and other single-use plastic items.
- Share our Plastic Toolkit and Primer and plastic calculator with your friends.
- Vote for candidates committed to protecting and improving our environment.
Ban or tax single-use plastics
Join hundreds of municipalities around the world taking action to end plastic pollution by passing…