What can you do reduce the impact of plastic pollution in Hawaii? What can you do to help divert 1000s of single-use plastics from reaching the landfill? And how can you save money doing it?
We at PFK believe consumers have the power to make change happen. From easy everyday decisions to big life-style changes, you can make a commitment to considerably reduce your plastic footprint.
- REFUSE
- Do not accept bottled water or plastic shopping, grocery, and produce bags.
- Think before you grab plastic straws and cutlery. Do you really need one?
- REDUCE
- Buy products with little or no extra packaging.
- Skip the single-serving fruit cups, yogurts, and jellos. Go for a glass jar of applesauce and your own refillable container.
- Skip the produce bag for whole foods, like that bunch of romaine. Your gonna wash it when you get home right?
- Buy in bulk. Get your quinoa and rice from the bulk bins in your own container. Get your favorite shampoo in the jumbo size and refill a smaller bottle.
- BRING UR OWN
- Bring a stainless steel water bottle rather than drinking water out of disposable plastic bottles.
- Carry reusable bags to the grocery, farmer's market, or on any other shopping excursion.
- Carry your own produce bags for those little and bulk items, like mushrooms or dried beans. You can always use a delicates bag or make your own from fabric scraps.
- Bring your own take-out container out to eat for leftovers. Wash them and keep them in your car with your grocery totes.
- Pack a low-waste lunch for you or your children with sturdy, BPA-free, reusable containers instead of plastic baggies, lunchables, or fruit cups.
- Bring your own ceramic or stainless steel mug. Carry one in your car. Some coffee shops will even reward your thoughtfulness with a small discount on coffee or tea.
- Keep a plate, bowl, cup, and cutlery set at work. Grab a cheap or vintage set at the Salvation Army.
- RECYCLE
- Recycling is sometimes the only solution left for some needs.
- Learn what is recyclable in Hawaii at Opala.org and what the symbols mean on the bottom of your trash.
- REUSE/ DONATE
- Set up a Free Store on your block
- Give salvageable home goods and clothes to places like Goodwill or the Salvation Army
- Think of secondary uses for things such as art projects and crafts or in the garden
- RETHINK
- Go for reusable or permanent over disposable.
- Rather than buy plastic disposable lighters, consider investing in a refillable multi-use lighter.
- Get a razor with replaceable blades.
- Consider switching to bar soaps, even bar shampoos, and powdered detergents in cardboard packaging.
- SUPPORT
- Support local groups like PFK and Surfrider or the Sierra Club.
- Support local businesses that are plastic free. It makes a difference to tell them you appreciate the conscious choices they have made to protect our environment.
- Write letters or testify in support of bag banning or bag fee bills.
- ASK
- Ask a local businesses if they would consider reducing single-use plastics and styrofoam.
- Ask a local food provider if you can bring your own container.
- CLEAN-UP
- Join or organize a beach clean-up.
- Take a bag for litter and marine debris with you each time you hit the beach.
- Teach your kids to pick up trash at the park and that littering is never okay.
• Learn more about Waste Free Lunches
• We encourage using what you have, but a host of stainless steel and lunch products are available locally at shops like Down To Earth or online at
Reuseit.com
Want to GREEN your business. See our top tips here: Tip Sheet—Greening Your Business
One more thing: Please log on to Kanu Hawaii, join the Plastic Free Kailua group, and start making your personal commitments. This will help us measure our collective impact.
