Plastic Free July

For the month of July (and with indefinite dedication) my family has taken the plastic free July challenge. Reducing waste and specifically plastic consumption is no new thing to me, but after July day one + grocery shopping I realized just how much it would change a lot of the way I consume. We live in Minneapolis, MN which I consider to be a pretty progressive city. In 2016 the Minneapolis City Council passed an ordinance banning plastic bags in stores, but unfortunately a week after it went into effect Governor Mark Dayton created a provision stating no city to have a ban on any kind of bag. 

We can make waves. Our voices matter. Keep voting for people in favor of progress. 

I feel fortunate to live in a place where co ops and other markets have significant bulk sections, and to have access to many food alternatives to make sure my family is getting the nutrients we need. 

Here's a list of some things I'll need to purchase differently, create myself, freeze for upcoming seasons, eliminate:

Laundry detergent, tooth brush/paste, yogurt, milk, beans, stock, boxed crackers or cereal, garbage bags, virtual ordering, packaged fruit --- This list is being realized an continues to grow. 

There is so much to do on my part, but I have confidence that I can take time and be mindful about how I live and consume. It won't be easy, and it won't be perfect, but sharing with others about this experience will help. 

Viska and plastic

We make our backpacks with organic cotton materials, metal sliders, and beeswax. I've deliberated many moons on the buckles, para-cord, and cord locks, which are all plastic. My way to mitigate waste here has been to offer a lifetime warranty, and give customers an option to return their bag to us when it is beyond repair to receive a discount on a new product (harvesting and recycling what we can), and to donate a percentage of every sale to a local non profit that work to protect the environment. 

Have you faced a similar endeavor? What changes have you made? How did you find the most success in it? I'd love to hear about your life experience with it. Please share any tricks and recipes here if you'd like, too!

All my love,

Ashley