Get Involved in PLASTIC Coalition

REFUSE

Say NO to single use and disposable plastics (S.U.P.s) like plastic bags, bottles, straws, cups, plates, and silverware. Download the complete list. Then, take S.U.P.E.R Hero Pledge and visit our Start page for some easy alternatives.

You can learn tips about plastic free living from blogger Beth Terry on her site FakePlasticFish.

Be Aware

Be aware… and beware! There are many misconceptions and pitfalls that plague the discussion on plastic pollution. Take a few minutes to read through our Learn page. Plastic pollution is an emerging environmental problem and those of us who are aware of it have the responsibility to become ambassadors of the cause.

Volunteer

We need your passion, talents and energy! If you are interested click here.

Spread The Word

Send your friends to our site, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, and retweet, facebook-wall, and blog about us -and about our member organizations. Join the Facebook group cause Stop Plastic Pollution and be informed about activities in your community.

Support Our Work

Please donate money or talent to us and/or to our member organizations.

Become a Citizen Activist

Ultimately, the solutions will involve the international cooperation of citizens, scientists, governments and businesses. But it all begins with each individual being informed, and then being politically and socially active in our individual communities.

With your generous donations we are building lots of cool campaigns and actions. Stay tuned to learn about opportunities to take specific action to solve the plastic pollution plague… or start your own if you cannot wait.

These actions may come in the form of:

* write letters of support for legislation

* initiate legislation in your community to address plastic pollution

* participate in awareness campaigns

* return plastic packaging at the store, when you exit with your purchases

* request a reduction in the use of disposable plastics in companies, schools, events, and other venues and organizations

* make sustainable consumer choices and encouraging others to do so

* contribute funds, skills and time to grassroots efforts to shift our societies to sustainable solutions

* contribute a voice to the growing citizen call for a world that places health and the environment ahead of thoughtless manufacturing, packaging and consuming in the name of “convenience” or profit.

Avoid Plastics

Get Started

Some of the most common single use and disposable plastic objects are also the most ubiquitous – plastic bottles, straws, cups, food containers, plastic bags, lighters, toothbrushes. Here are some tips on how to avoid them. For a more complete list scroll down.

1. Water

* Bring a stainless steel water bottle rather than drinking water out of disposable plastic bottles. Purchase our cool water bottle in red, stainless steel or black at BuyGreen or grab one at just about any store. Just make sure it is not aluminum.

* Don’t have your stainless steel bottle with you? Buy a glass-bottled drink. When you finish that beverage, reuse the bottle.

2. Bring Your Own Bag

Always bring your own bags whenever you shop, not just for the supermarket. By bringing your own bag, you alone can save between 400 and 600 plastic bags per year.

There are lots of cool tote bag companies out there. Just a few of the bags we like:

* Citizenlove - designs by our co-founder Dianna Cohen

* Envirosax – very popular in Europe

* Chico bags – wonderful, small and easy to carry around in lots of colors

3. Straws

Consider some easy alternatives to the ubiquitous plastic straws.

* Carry your own stainless steel straw.

* Use an elegant glass straw in one of many sizes and designs

4. To Go 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.

5. To Go Food Containers

Whether you prepare school lunch, order takeout or go out to eat, take along your own reusable containers. Some of the sites where you can purchase one:

* Lunchbots

* PlanetBox

* Life Without Plastic

* To-Go Ware

6. To Go Utensils

Bring along a bamboo utensil set, add a straw and you are all set! You can purchase sets online at To-Go Ware.

7. Lighters

Rather than buy plastic throw-away lighters, consider investing in a refillable multi-use lighters. The oceans of the world and the albatross chicks who are fed these from out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean will thank you.

8. Milk

Buy your milk in a glass returnable, reusable bottle…old fashion, but tastes great and is better for you. Many health food markets and farmers markets carry milk in glass bottles.

9. Choose Paper to Wrap

Wax paper is an excellent substitute to the ubiquitous stretch plastic we have been told is essential for cooking and preserving foods. Choose wax paper to wrap sandwiches, place on top of foods warmed up in the microwave, or when storing food in the fridge. Yes, it does not stick to foods like plastic – that’s exactly what’s good about it!

10. Ready to do more?

Conserve Energy

1. Turn off the lights. Simple as that sounds, turning off lights and other electrical appliances when you leave the room can save you hundreds of dollars and literally tons of carbon emissions each year.

2.Contact your local electricity supplier to see if you qualify for an energy audit. If your electric usage is high enough, your utility company will pay to have an energy auditor examine your home and make recommendations on things you can do to improve your energy efficiency. You may even qualify for free bulbs, faucet heads and rebates on new appliances to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

3.Switch to fluorescent bulbs. Today's compact fluorescent bulbs cast much nicer light than those glaring tube fluorescent lights you may have had in school when you were younger. And CFCs, as compact fluorescent bulbs are known, consume a fraction of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs do, slashing your energy bill. Many utility companies offer rebates on the bulbs, too, saving you even more money.

4. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. Whether you heat your water using electricity, oil or gas, lowering the temperature on your water heater a few degrees will inevitably save you money on your energy bills. Experts recommend setting your water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This promotes energy conservation and prevents burns.

5. Hang your clothes out to dry. It'll conserve energy, cut pollution, save you money and your clothes will smell better.

6. Buy Energy Star appliances. Energy Star appliances use at least 10 percent less energy than regular appliances, plus many utilities offer rebates of $50 to as much as $250 if you replace an old appliance with an Energy Star appliance. Refrigerators are the biggest energy hogs, so you'll conserve the most energy starting there.

Read more: How to Conserve Energy | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2082819_conserve-energy.html#ixzz1392gxPoJ

Save our planet

Dianna Cohen is the co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, a group that addresses the pervasive problem of plastic pollution. She was inspired to co-found the group by her work as an artist -- because her chosen material is the ubiquitous plastic bag. She writes: "Having worked with the plastic bag as my primary material for the past fifteen years, all of the obvious references to recycling, first-world culture, class, high and low art give way to an almost formal process which reflects the unique flexibility of the medium."

With the Plastic Pollution Coalition, she helps to raise awareness of ocean waste -- the majority of which is nondegradable plastic -- and everyday strategies to cut down the amount of plastic we use and throw away.
 Artist Dianna Cohen shares some tough truths about plastic pollution in the ocean and in our lives -- and some thoughts on how to free ourselves from the plastic gyre.

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