PLASTIC FREE!

Presented by the Canadian Federation of University Women

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Why not plastic? It's so convenient! (For a price)

Plastic is made from Fossil Fuels.
Fossil fuels production releases carbon.
Carbon in the atmosphere keeps heat from escaping from Earth. The result is our warming planet: melting glaciers, warming oceans, growing deserts, air pollution – the list is long.
Plastic waste is a massive problem. In the ocean, plastic waste and micro-particles are killing ocean animals.
A growing body of evidence points to the health risks posed by plastic additives. These include endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, prostate or breast cancer, thyroid problems and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, among others. Plastic micro-particles entering our water supplies are now detectable in every single living organism- including humans. They are even present in human placentas.
The plastic industry knew that plastic would be very difficult to recycle successfully. In fact recycled plastic acts as an even greater health risk. Profit is a difficult task-master.
Plastic pollution is HUGE in the third world, where much of our garbage ends up.

It’s up to us!

Join us in removing plastic from your life!! As much as possible!!

Try for a Plastic-Free April!!

IF NOT PLASTIC, THEN WHAT??

Instead of this...

Consider this!

PLASTIC-WRAPPED FOOD PACKAGES (click to expand)

Plastic fruit and veggie bags	Fresh fruit and vegetables sold WITHOUT plastic packaging (they exist! 🙂 Research where you can buy produce such as oranges, onions loose or in paper bags Reusable cloth or mesh bags whenever possible Brown bags for mushrooms available in major grocery stores
When fresh produce comes home , instead of reaching for plastic bags and plastic containers…	Put leafy greens into a casserole with a lid in the fridge- they stay fresh for up to a week! Put them into the vegetable drawer in the fridge with a damp tea towel over them – they stay fresh!
Fruit and vegetables in plastic clam shells	Take produce loose in a basket or bag (summer is coming to Ontario!)
Plastic-wrapped meat/poultry /fish	Ask for butcher paper (waxed, not plasticized) compostable, available at meat counter
Plastic-wrapped deli meats	Ask for butcher paper from deli-counter
Plastic-wrapped cheese	Butcher paper at farmers’ markets, small shops
Plastic-wrapped bread, buns, bakery products	Where possible, try to buy in paper bags and boxes Home storage in reusable containers or recycled plastic bags Go thrifting for bread holders and bread boxes!
Plastic-wrapped rice, cereals, pastas, beans	Bring clean, repurposed and reusable containers to stores that sell items in bulk
Plastic-wrapped teas, coffees, spices, candy, nuts, dried fruits	Bring clean, repurposed and reusable containers to stores that sell items in bulk Use refillable coffee pods- or consider trading a pod coffee machine for a different approach- a perk, a bodum…?
Plastic jar nut butters	Bring clean, repurposed and reusable containers to use where bulk sales are available
Milk in plastic bags (!) or in waxed cardboard cartons	Use returnable glass bottles – They exist!! For cream too! And chocolate milk!
Plastic tub yogurt and kefir	Yogurt and kefir are available in returnable glass jars
Plastic bottled juice	Reconstitute from can Purchase in glass bottles from health food section/stores
Plastic bottles for other beverages, including water (!!)	Cans or glass bottles Refillable container with tap water Check public facilities for wall fountains that can also refill water bottles

PERSONAL HYGIENE AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS (click to expand)

Plastic container dental floss, plastic floss, and toothbrushes	Dental floss and tooth brushes are available in totally compostable products — i.e. silk, plant based, bamboo
Plastic-wrapped toilet paper	Is available paper wrapped at grocery stores, and can be found as a bamboo “paper” product, paper-wrapped at some stores
Plastic shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion bottles	Bring clean, repurposed and reusable containers to stores that sell items in bulk Use bar products (some are even palm oil free! Bonus!!)
Plastic cosmetic containers	Choose glass containers
Synthetic fiber cosmetic wipes (most of them)	Consider cotton wipes or re-using cloths and then laundering them
Plastic container deodorant	There are deodorant bars and creams in tins, both often palm oil free (bonus!)

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS (click to expand)

Plastic bottled laundry detergent/ pods and fabric softener	Bulk purchase using repurposed container Laundry detergent strips, dryer strips, pods
Plastic/ synthetic dryer sheets	Wool dryer balls
Plastic-wrapped dishwasher pods	Tablets in plastic free packaging
Paper towels sometimes containing synthetic fibres and wrapped in plastic	Bamboo “paper”option , and/or…. Rags!!! No fossil fuel or trees involved! 🙂
Plastic bottled and highly synthetic cleaning products – liquids and wipes	Try rags and vinegar !! 🙂 Our grandmothers were so smart! And so environmental!
Plastic liners for garbage/compost bins	Compostable bags OR – put several sheets of newspaper in the bottom to hold the compost!
Plastic food storage bags	Repurpose resealable pita/naan bags, cereal bags, etc.
Plastic wrap	Parchment paper, wax paper, beeswax on cotton sheets or elasticized bowl covers
Plastic disposable tableware	Use bamboo cutlery. Reusable plates for outdoors- Wash them! 🙂 Compostable or reusable cups/glasses for outdoors- Take them home and wash them! 🙂 Portable water bottles Use stainless steel, bamboo or silicone straws.
Take out containers	Frequent takeout restaurants that provide compostable or returnable options – and tell the restaurants that don’t have recyclable options for take-out or left-overs that it’s time to help the planet! 🙂
Diapers	Use washable diapers. There are wonderful terrycloth or soft cotton ones that go straight from a vinegar bucket into the washer 🙂

Bulk foods

PLACES IN STRATFORD WITH BULK FOODS AVAILABLE TO GO IN YOUR OWN, CLEAN, REUSABLE CONTAINERS AND/OR BAGS:

Foodland

Gentle Rain

No Frills

Sobeys

The Bulk Barn

The Little Green Grocer

The Local

Zehrs

Plastic recycling options

Sephora Canada accepts empty, cleaned beauty and wellness containers.
Gentle Rain Stratford accepts beauty products, candy and snack wrappers, coffee bags, dental products, Gillette products. No nail polish or polish remover.
Blowes Stratford accepts office supplies.
Illume Wellness Spa on Ontario are able to accept empty aerosol can beauty products in their Terracycle box (only thing is no nail polish or polish remover). Free if you buy the product from them, $0.10 if you bought the product elsewhere and bring it in.
Privately purchase plastics recycling boxes from Terracycle that target over 40 different categories of these waste products.

Other ways plastics and plastic (fossil fuel) chemicals enter our lives:

Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizer, bug sprays	Natural gardens maintain a balance, without the need for supplements
Clothing- synthetics, including orlon, polyester, fleece – (oh no!)	Natural fibres- cottons, wools, rayon
Plastic shopping bags	Use cloth bags!!! Those bags for re-use that stores give you are just a heavier grade of plastic! Take your own cloth bags shopping 🙂