Settle for Less Single Use Plastic

How often have you left the drive-thru and had to dig through all the condiments, straws, and serving utensils to get to your food? If you’re like me plenty of times, all that digging is rummaging through single-use plastics. While the amount of single-use plastic you receive may seem inconsequential, the number of times you receive it and the number of people receiving it has turned single-use plastic into an environmental nightmare.

Before we proceed, realize that the single-use plastic from drive-throughs is just one example of thousands, and don't assume it gets recycled because

"Plastics do not break down once they’re thrown into nature. And, alarmingly, only around 9% plastic in the US is actually recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency — even the stuff you specifically threw into the recycle bin." - CNN

Realize you have the power to reduce all this single use plastic which harms the environment from the time it's created because

"Plastic - 99% of it is coming from a fossil-fuel based source." - NPR

All you have to do is use less single use plastic. That might sound impossible because it is everywhere, but you are the consumer, so you have the power to say NO!

Here's a top 3 list of what you can do today to reduce the amount of single use plastic polluting our world.

1. Say no thank you at the drive thru to the straws, condiments, etc. that you won't use

2. Send a message on social media to the manufacturers of the products you love that you won't keep buying them unless they use sustainable packaging.

3. Contact your representative and ask for laws that prohibit the use of plastic bags, plastic straws, and giving out items like condiments without being asked.

Together we can settle for less single use plastic and create a better world with less carbon emissions and litter. Take action for yourself and for those who can't take action but suffer from the consequences of single use plastic.

Picture from NRDC - join them in settling for less single use plastic.