veranellies: Starting a Revolution

Today I am honored to be guest posting over at Gypsy in Jasper.

Please go check out that post too because I provide a lot more information regarding my revolution and stance behind it.

Because I was given the opportunity to reach out to other readers than I normally would be reaching, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to start a revolution of sorts. It's something I've been wanting to do since I watched Bag It this past spring.

WHAT IT'S FOR:

To raise awareness on just how bad plastic bags and plastics in general are to our environment

A LIFE LESS PLASTIC (taken from Bag It)

TEN ALTERNATIVES

1. CARRY REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS

Whether you're shopping for groceries, clothes or electronics, be sure to bring along the reusable bag(s) of your choice. Keep them in your car so you don't forget to use them. We recommend theChico Bag—small enough to fit in your pocket or purse!

2. GIVE UP BOTTLED WATER

By drinking your water from a glass jar or a reusable bottle, you can help reduce the environmental costs associated with producing bottled water and save money while you're at it. Unlike bottle water, the quality of your tap water is regularly monitored by your city. Click here to learn more about your local tap water supply.

3. SAY NO TO PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS

Bagging your produce is generally unnecessary. If you do want a separate bag for produce, cloth options are available. Some alternatives are EcoBags, Acme produce bags or making your own from old t-shirts.

4. BUY FROM BULK BINS

You can find almost all dry foods, as well as some personal care products, from bulk bins. If you can't find bulk bins in your neighborhood, you can still buy non-perishable goods in large packages, which will decrease the amount of plastic used.

5. MAKE YOUR OWN SELTZER

When it comes to carbonated drinks, you can avoid high intakes of high fructose corn syrup AND the need for purchasing disposable bottles by making your own seltzer. We recommend adding a splash of juice to your homemade soda to create a delicious bubbly drink. Kids love it!

6. PACK FOOD IN REUSABLE CONTAINERS

Bring reusable containers to restaurants to take home your leftovers. Ask the butcher or deli server at your grocery store to package your food in your reusable container. Use them to pack your lunch, and don't forget to carry along reusable utensils. We love these containers from LunchBots andLife Without Plastic.

7. CHOOSE MILK IN RETURNABLE GLASS BOTTLES

Many communities have local dairies that provide milk in returnable glass bottles rather than plastic or plastic-coated cardboard. All cardboard milk containers are coated inside and out with plastic, not wax. Check out local dairies in your area to see if this is offered, or ask them to start a co-op.

8. USE BAR SOAP AND SHAMPOO

Make the change from liquid to bar! Try Lush shampoo bar, Chagrin Valley shampoo bars,Burt's Bees, or J.R. Liggett's Old Fashioned shampoo bar.

9. CHOOSE LOTIONS AND LIP BALMS IN PLASTIC-FREE CONTAINERS

Organic Essence is packaging its body lotions in compostable cardboard jars and its lip balms in ingenious cardboard tubes that squeeze from the end. There are also lotion bars and lip balms and glosses that come in glass or metal containers. Or you can even make your own products.

10. MAKE SURE YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS ARE PHTHALATE-FREE

Phthalates, which are plasticizers, have become standard as additives to scented products because they help fragrances last longer. But research has shown reasons to be concerned about the impact of phthalates on our health . Use this list to find phthalate-free products.

Join the revolution, start with baby steps and say NO to plastic bags for the next 30 days. If you can make it through 30 days..then try 45..then 60... move into other categories. It all starts with baby steps. But it needs to start somewhere. Please take a button and post it on your blog. Spread the word and make a difference.