Let’s have a friendly chat about something important: garbage. Yep, people create quite a lot of it, and sometimes we toss away things that could actually be repurposed or reused. Unfortunately, this kind of consumption isn’t doing any favors for our environment. Trash ends up in landfills, streams, airways, and even the ocean, polluting our planet.
One major culprit in our global waste stream is single-use plastic. Plastic-Free July is an international movement that encourages everyone to be more mindful of the plastics we discard daily. Despite the name, the idea here is not perfection but a concerted effort toward harm reduction. In some cases, we’re stuck with plastic for health and safety reasons, as accommodations due to disability, or because people don’t have equal access, opportunity, or resources to choose more sustainable options. That’s okay. The conversation is ongoing, and we urge everyone to push for better alternatives, educate themselves about how plastics are manufactured and recycled, and urge your community to develop more sustainable policies at the government level.
All of these issues can feel very overwhelming, so let’s start with some simple ways you can participate in a Plastic-Free July when you visit the Co-op:
Bring your own coffee cup
When you bring your own travel mug to the cafe, you can get a price break on coffee refills. We also carry colorful kleen kanteens if you need a new travel mug. And all our coffee and tea is from Equal Exchange, which is a fair trade cooperative!
Carry your silverware
Keep your silverware close at hand by simply wrapping it in a napkin and carrying it with you in your backpack, car, or purse. If you don’t want to misplace your spoons, check out our options from To-Go Ware, including travel kits and bamboo utensils. Easy peasy!
Buy in bulk
Pay a visit to our awesome bulk foods department, where you can choose exactly how much of an item you need. We’ve got handy paper bags, jars, and canisters for your convenience, or better yet, bring your own clean reusable container from home. At the Co-op, it’s a breeze—just weigh and fill!
Bring your reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated and help save the planet by bringing your trusty water bottle. We have a water station as well as sinks in the cafe, and guess what? Refilling your bottle is absolutely free! Hydration for the win!
Bring a bag, grab a box
Say goodbye to those pesky single-use plastic grocery bags – we haven’t had them here for years! Bring your own reusable bags, or if you prefer, feel free to use a recycled box from the Co-op. We also have stylish totes in all kinds of colors and designs. We’ve got options to suit your shopping style!
Skip the produce bags
Let’s skip those little bags for your fruits and veggies. Instead, bring your own cloth produce bags, or pick up a few extra from the co-op. We have tons of styles of small bags and wraps! Or simply let your produce roam free in your shopping cart – your veggies won’t mind!
If you’re curious about different earth-friendly initiatives happening behind the scenes at the Co-op, check out our website’s sustainability page. And don’t forget to learn more about Plastic Free July at plasticfreejuly.org. It’s a great resource to discover alternatives to single-use plastic and build lifelong habits that positively impact both the local and global environment. You can be part of the solution, too!
