Plastic-free reusable produce bags are the MUST HAVE way to avoid those flimsy single-use plastic bags you grab when you’re shopping bulk produce aisles.

I’ve updated this post for Plastic-Free July to remind you how great reusable produce bags are and help you find ones that work for you.

Get some and do what I do: keep them with my reusable cloth shopping bags. That way, I’m sure to take them into the store and have them handy when I need to stock up on loose green beans or a half dozen apples. I LOVE not having to use  throwaway plastic bags that are so thin they can’t be used more than once.

We originally partnered with SGM Reusable Mesh Produce Bags to let you know what plastic-free alternatives were readily available. While those are out of stock, here are three other great options so you’ll never need to use ANY plastic bags again.

Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags – These bags come in a set of 3 large bags, 3 small bags, and 4 medium bags. I have a set of 3 medium cotton mesh bags. I use them for everything except bulk beans. I can put them and the produce they carry directly in the fridge, so they’re very convenient. They’ll get a little stretchy if you put heavy food in them, but that doesn’t affect their performance.

Simply Eco Reusable Produce Bags With See-Through Window – This set of 7 bags includes muslin bags for bulk shopping. It also includes mesh bags for produce shopping, and a bag the manufacturer says works like a lettuce keeper in the fridge.

Reusable Produce and Muslin Bags, Plus Bonus Bag – This looks like a good set. It includes three  produce bags and three muslin bags (good for seeds, oats and grains, rice, cereals, etc.). And the large drawstring bag can be used either for bulky items like apples or corn on the cob, or as a grocery bag.

Here’s Why You’ll Love Reusable Produce Bags

⇒ They’re both durable and washable. They can be used over and over and over again, so each bag could probably replace thousands of throwaways. They’ll last pretty much as many times as you go shopping.

⇒ They often come in “value packs” of 12, in three sizes: 3 small, 6 medium and 3 large. Use the small ones for foods like herbs, nuts, and raisins that you buy in bulk. Use the medium sized ones for lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, onions, carrots, plums, and more. Use the large ones for grapefruit, apples, oranges, bananas, and larger quantities of anything else you need to get. (I personally don’t need more than 8-10. You might need a couple more or less.)

⇒ They’re “Multi-Purpose.” In addition to using them for produce, you can also use them as mini laundry bags when you travel, or to hold kids’ toys, office supplies, and laundry “delicates” (i.e., underwear!).

⇒ They’re cheap. And once you buy them, you don’t need to buy them again.

⇒ You can rinse fruit right in the bag and then put the bag directly in the fridge. They create no extra waste or packaging.

⇒ They’re versatile. Use them in the grocery store but at the farmer’s market, too.

⇒ They’re easy to store. Just place them in one of the reusable tote bags you take to the grocery store.

At least once a day, someone from the Big Green Purse community contacts me asking where she can get reusable produce bags. For a lot of people, getting rid of single-use throwaway plastic produce bags is the last step to truly plastic-free shopping!

We’re happy to link you to these bags and hope you’ll get some straight away. And please share this post and the links on your own social media. The more people use them, the less plastic we’ll be throwing away.

NOTE: Partnerships and affiliate links enable us to bring the expert green living content you want at no expense to you. Our editorial recommendations remain our own. Thanks!

The post Don’t Shop ‘Til You Get These Plastic-Free Reusable Produce Bags appeared first on Big Green Purse.

When it comes to living plastic-free, party supplies can be the last thing you might think about. But it’s so easy to shift to plastic-free options, why not put them on your list now?

You’ll save money in the long run by buying long-lasting reusable supplies once instead of throwaways over and over again. And you’ll throw away a lot less trash, too.(We’re updating this post for Plastic-Free July 2020.)

NOTE: Even though “compostable” paper plates and napkins are available, they usually can only be composted in an industrial facility – not in your home compost pile. If they are “recyclable,” check with your local recycling facility to see if they will accept them – many don’t.

Here are the 5 Plastic-Free Party Supplies I Have That You Don’t Want to Miss

Here’s a picture of the plastic-free party supplies I usually use.

1. Plates – I have several sizes of reusable plates: salad-sized dinnerware for buffets, and full-sized plates for potluck dinners. I have bought the salad-sized plates over time when they were on sale after the Christmas holidays.

The dinner-sized reusable plates are by Preserve. They’re made from 100% recycled #5 plastic. They’re dishwasher-friendly and if you ever decide you want to get rid of them, Preserve will take them back and recycle them. I have both the 10.5″ size and the 7″ size, which are perfect for dessert, fruit, or salad.

NOTE: I normally don’t recommend using recycled plastic, but because these last so long and you won’t be throwing them away, they’re a good alternative, especially for an outdoor picnic or party.

2. Napkins – I went to the local Dollar store and bought the festive 100% cotton bandanas pictured above. They’re big enough to cover a lap, colorful, and very easy to wash. I think I have around 50 of them at this point. They’re good for picnics, too.

3. Table cloths – If you like to have seasonal or holiday themed table cloths (like for birthday parties, Thanksgiving, or Christmas), you’ll find a wide variety of reusable cotton table cloths online, at thrift stores, on sale in department stores, and at local yard sales. At this point, I have reusable table cloths for the 4th of July, Halloween, general birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, plus table cloths I use for picnics.

4. Forks, Knives, Spoons – Plastic-free cutlery makes so much sense. The plastic stuff is usually so weak it breaks (I was at a party just today where the knives and forks weren’t strong enough and kept splintering.) You can get a 36-piece set of stainless steel flatware on Amazon that will last you 20 or 30 years. The set includes 12 each of a fork, knife and teaspoon.

5. Glasses/Cups/Tumblers – Of all the items listed here, glasses take up the most space. I have about 40 8 oz. glasses at this point, and I keep them in a couple of boxes that I stack and put in the back of a closet.

NOTE: You can get stackable stainless steel pint cups, with the advantage being both that they’re durable and they are unbreakable. But the smallest size they come in is 10 oz. I prefer to serve smaller drink portions, which is why I go with an 8 oz. glass. Figure out what’s right for you.

Preserve, the same company that makes reusable plastic plates, also makes reusable cups. They’re a bit big for me, but they might be perfect for you. Take a look.

I store all the table cloths, plates, napkins and cutlery in the cute duffle bag in the picture. Then I just tuck the bag out of the way in a closet, where it can easily be retrieved.

Get More “Green” Party Tips Right Here!

Where Can You Get Affordable Plastic-Free Party Supplies?

Speaking of Sales…

I buy many plastic-free party supplies on sale. All holiday-themed supplies will be 50 or 60 or 70% off the day after the holiday. Department stores like Macy’s, as well as the Big Box stores like Wal Mart and Target, are the place to look for post-holiday supply sales.

Borrow and Lend…

A Big Green Purse reader (and neighbor) wrote recently to say she’d accumulated enough reusable plates and glasses for a party for 40. She has let the neighborhood know that they’re available for anyone to borrow!

The post How Many Of These 5 Plastic-Free Party Supplies Are You Missing? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Why plastic-free straws? Because throwaway plastic straws suck – and I don’t just mean literally.

They can kill wildlife – like one almost did in the case of this poor sea turtle.

The darn things are made from petroleum – aka, OIL – and once they’re loose in the environment, they can last thousands of years.

Manufacturing plastic pollutes the air, emitting toxic emissions like benzene, toluene, xylene, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that “affect the health of everyone within breathing distance,” says renowned plastic-free activist Beth Terry.

They can break into tiny pieces of micro plastic, then get ground into sea salt or get embedded in oysters and other seafood, so we end up eating plastic along with our dinner.

PLUS, they’re designed to be trash. Use them once, and throw them away. What a waste!

I’ve updated this post to include new information and new straws. Read on!!

You Don’t Have To Give Up All Straws – Just Plastic Ones

No doubt about it: sometimes, straws come in handy. It’s hard to drink a root beer float (my personal summer guilty pleasure) without a straw. Some people have sensitive teeth and find it easier to drink a cold beverage if they use a straw. And it can be easier for little kids especially to sip a drink using some kind of straw.

So the point isn’t to give up straws per se – just the plastic ones (I’m not big on throwaway paper straws, either).

You know how you take your own reusable shopping bags to the store, and drink from your own reusable water bottles? Now, there are reusable straws you can make your own, too.

Here are 10 Plastic-Free straws that will help you kick your plastic straw habit.

10 Plastic-Free Straws That Will Make It Easy to Kick Your Plastic Straw Habit

NOTE: I don’t recommend switching to paper straws because paper straws can only be used once. Even though they’re not the pollution problem plastic is, they do just add to the trash we throw away.

Stainless Steel Straws – Highly durable. Easy to pack. Angled or straight, depending on how you like to sip. Rounded and smooth, so very pleasant and comfortable to stip. Buy them in a two-pack or in a set to accommodate the whole family or a group.

Stainless Steel Straw & Brush Set The straws can be washed in the dishwasher, but the straw brush makes it easy to thoroughly clean the inside of the straw.

Stainless Steel 2 Pack One is good, two are better!

Mini Stainless Steel Straws – 4 pack These are idea for kids cups or tumblers, cocktail glasses and small glasses of water or juice.

8 Pack in a Pouch – Want some regular width and some wide? Get four of each, plus cleaning brushes and a pouch to carry them all in. (Note: This is an Amazon product, not EarthHero.)

Silicone – Straws made from premium food-grade, FDA approved silicone. They’re durable, flexible, reusable, washable and easy to travel with.

Set of 12 Silicone and Stainless Steel Drinking Straws with Cleaning Brushes

Glass Straws – Help eliminate the millions of plastic straws Americans throw away every day with this heavy duty and dishwasher safe plastic-free straw.

Wide Glass Smoothie Straw: This size straw is perfect for thick smoothies, milkshakes, Slurpees, and pureed cold soups.

Regular-width Glass Straw: This straw is similar in size to the straw normally served with a glass of water or soda in a restaurant or fast-food place. It comes with a travel pouch and a cleaning brush.

Bamboo – Bamboo straws are reusable to a point. They will eventually splinter and wear out, so they’re probably not the best option for kids. On the positive side, they are made from the bamboo plant and can be composted with other organic material, as long as they haven’t been chemically treated.

EarthHero sells a pack of 12 organic bamboo straws that can be reused many times, then composted.

Skip the Straw – Use a Sippy Cup

Sippy cups are the perfect plastic-free straw option for toddlers and younger children. Take a look at this bundle of four 8 oz. stainless steel toddler cups, along with four colorful silicone spill proof sippy lids. They work well at home or in the car. At a restaurant, ask your server to put your child’s drink in their own cup rather than in a cup with a straw.

Eat the Straw!

A company called Loliware is in the process of developing “the worlds first edible hyper-compostable drinking straw.” In other words, a straw you can eat. It’s made of seaweed, can be flavored, and is non GMO. It’s not on the market quite yet, but the company has gotten Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban’s buy-in, so look for it in a drink coming to you soon.

The post Finally, 10 Plastic-Free Straws That Don’t Suck! appeared first on Big Green Purse.

The company is also introducing a reusable shopping tote. The foldable, metallic brushed linen bag will feature a cityscape design representing every city where a Nordstrom store can be found. The bag comes in a little case that serves as the bottom of the bag when it is unfolded. Big enough to fit two shoe boxes, the bag will retail for  $21.95. Look for it first in the Northwest, Northern California, and Southern California.

Let’s hope Nordstrom’s next step is to sell clothing made from recycled, hemp and organic cotton fibers.

The post Nordstrom Bags It appeared first on Big Green Purse.

It’s Plastic-Free July, so we’ve updated earlier posts and added new ones to bring you almost 30 ways to go plastic-free in 30 days. Our goal: to bring you as many ways as possible to help you replace your plastic stuff with, well, stuff that’s not plastic.

We’ll be saying a lot more about what’s wrong with plastic throughout the month. But for starters, one of the biggest problems with it is that the darn stuff just doesn’t biodegrade. In other words, it lasts forever (some of it lasts for thousands of years, which is forever as far as I’m concerned).

Even when you think it’s gone, it’s just broken down into tiny pieces of micro plastic that are getting into our food (like fish and oysters) and water.

Many plastic products also contain endocrine disrupting chemicals that leach into the food or water they touch. These are chemicals that can interfere with our ability to reproduce, as well as cause learning disorders in kids, and maybe even cancer.

Why continue to use plastic when there are so many better, healthier, more eco-friendly options?

A big reason is that you might not know how many great alternatives to plastic there really are.

That’s why we’re devoting this month to all things that are NOT plastic.

What You Can Switch Out During Plastic-Free July

Here’s what’s on our list to help you switch out during Plastic-Free July:

√ Plastic straws 

√ Plastic picnic and party-ware (look out, 4th of July)

√ Plastic face masks

√ Bathroom plastic (like shampoo and lotion bottles and plastic microbeads in face wash)

√ Plastic cups

√ Plastic water bottles

√ Plastic soda bottles (refill instead)

√ Yogurt in plastic tubs

√ Plastic holiday wrapping

√ Plastic cleaning products

√ Plastic Halloween trick-or-treat bags

√ Plastic ink cartridges

√ Plastic sunglasses

√ Plastic toys for babies and toddlers

√ Plastic produce bags

√ Plastic Easter stuff

√ Plastic pet supplies

√ Plastic ocean trash

I could keep adding to my list, but I want to know what you need the most help with when you think about getting plastic out of your life.

Please let me know! Either leave a comment below, or head on over to the Big Green Purse Facebook page and weigh in there.

Plus, let me know what your biggest challenges are when you think about going plastic-free. If I can help you, I will!

Full disclosure: Big Green Purse has affiliate relationships with several companies that offer plastic-free products we may highlight. We will earn a small commission if you purchase a product using our affiliate links. But please know that we’d never do business with any of these folks if we didn’t think they were terrific. And the commissions do enable us to bring you the expert information you need to live the greener life you want, at no additional cost to you. Thanks!

The post 30 Days, 30 Ways to Go Plastic-Free During Plastic-Free July appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Plastic water bottles have become a scourge on the planet. They pollute the ocean with plastic. Their plastic debris kills birds, turtles and other wildlife. They cost us consumers way more money than we should be spending on something as simple as water. And they rob local people of their own source of drinking water. They should go the way of the dodo – and become extinct!

TradeMachines.com, a company that helps businesses buy used machinery and equipment rather than brand new (which helps save money and natural resources), has put together one of the best infographics I’ve ever seen about the impact that plastic water bottles has on us and our planet. Here are some key elements from the graphic. I hope you will visit TradeMachines.com to view the infographic in its entirety. Then, share it with your friends, family, and social media communities. Thanks!

Say NO! to Plastic Water Bottles

The oil used to make plastic water bottles could keep 1 million cars running for 12 months!

Plastic water bottles pollute the oceans and threaten birds and wildlife.

Don’t Miss: “Finding Dory Will Be Impossible If We Don’t Stop Trashing the Oceans” 

Enough plastic water bottles aren’t being recycled.

What’s the point? Water in plastic bottles tastes no better than tap water.

What Should You Use Instead?

There are so many alternatives to plastic water bottles now, there’s almost no excuse for buying bottled water unless there’s a pollution scare in your community.

We’ve identified five of your best options here:

Again, remember to take a look at the entire graphic and share it widely. People are so used to buying bottled water, they forget to consider the impacts. You can help, by using a reusable bottle yourself and by educating others.

Thanks to TradeMachines.com for sponsoring this post. As always, our editorial opinions remain our own.

The post Why Plastic Water Bottles Have to Go the Way of the Dodo appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Of the many important reasons why you should give up plastic straws, should wrinkles be one of them?

According to skin care expert, Renée Rouleau, if you want to avoid getting wrinkles around your mouth, you need to skip plastic straws (and other straws, too).

Evidently, the sipping action breaks down the skin’s collagen and elasticity. The result? Wrinkly “smoker’s lines” around your lips. Yuck.

Even without anti-aging mania, I’ve been on something of a personal rampage against plastic straws.

What a Waste!

One thing that bugs me about plastic straws is how wasteful they are. Whether I’m sitting in a four-star restaurant, a diner or a dive, my glass of water usually comes served with a straw. My martini doesn’t come with a straw. No one would think of handing me a straw with my beer. But water? Or soda? The server doesn’t even ask.

This boiled to a head for me a couple of weeks ago. I was in a snazzy new eatery in snazzy Bethesda, MD and ordered an appetizer and a drink. The server showed up with glasses of water that already had straws in them. I was annoyed. I guess I should have immediately said “No straw, please,” when I ordered, but I forgot.

So there it sat in my glass, a stupid plastic straw.

Shortly thereafter, the owner of the restaurant dropped by my table to say hello and ask how we liked his place.

Before anyone could say anything, I said, “So far, not so good. Why are you serving drinking straws? Do you know what chemicals are in plastic? And that it’s going to take 10,000 years for this one straw to break down? And how much micro-pollution is in the ocean? And…and…”

Yes, I was ranting. But I made my point that the menu brags about how sustainable the food is, but if he really wanted to run an environmentally responsible establishment, he needed to stop automatically handing out straws.

On the spot, he promised to do so.

I sure wish it was that easy to eradicate straws globally. Ecocycle reports that 500 million straws are used in the U.S. daily.

That’s enough to fill over 127 school buses each day, more than 46,400 buses every year. If we don’t stop using plastic straws, Ecocycle projects that every American will use approximately 38,000 or more straws between the ages of 5 and 65.

Mind boggling!

Even when you think a straw is being thrown “away,” there are good chances the straw will end up as roadside litter or disintegrate into tiny pieces called microplastic.

This microplastic eventuallys find its way into our rivers, lakes, seas and bodies.

In fact, microplastic pollution is becoming one of the most insidious forms of ocean contamination we’re trying to eradicate.

Don’t Miss: Fish Don’t Want to Eat Your Plastic Microbeads Facewash 

Plastic straws harm wildlife, too. Look at this video of a poor sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nose. Terrible!

Manufacturing plastic also pollutes the air. Notes plastic-free activist Beth Terry, most plastic is made from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.

The toxic emissions from using these fuels can include benzene, toluene, xylene, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds that “affect the health of everyone within breathing distance.”

How to Avoid Plastic Straws in Restaurants and When You Buy Fast Food

Plastic straws are useless to me and to most people. I never use straws at home, so avoiding them when I’m out is the key for me to stop using them completely. How?

⇒Tell servers in restaurants to skip the straw as soon as they offer to bring your water.

⇒Make it a habit to encourage any restaurant you patronize to ask their customers if they want a straw before automatically bringing one.

⇒The same goes for fast food. When you get a shake or soda to go, order without the straw.

If You Want a Straw, or Need One For Your Child, What Plastic-Free Options Do You Have?

If you have kids who will spill their drinks unless they use straws, you still have a couple of options.

One, take your own stainless steel straws for them to use (see below).

Two, take sippy cups with you to a restaurant and ask their drinks to be served in your cups.

Here are some eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws.

The best is a reusable straw. You can get them in glass, stainless steel, and even bamboo. I’m partial to stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Drinking Straws – These straws fit in a tall glass or in a reusable tumbler. They won’t break, and they come with thin bristle brushes so it’s easy to keep them clean.

Stainless Steel Smoothie Straws – These are wider straws for smoothies and shakes.

Stainless Steel Sippy Cups – These cups come with or without their own straws.

LifeWithoutPlastic.com sells straws made from bamboo, glass, and stainless steel that come with their own convenient carrying cases so you can keep them in your purse, backpack, or brief case without worrying they’ll break.

Pledge to Stop Using Throwaway Plastic Straws

It’s probably too late for me to worry about wrinkles, but at least I can take the No Straw Please Pledge organized by the Plastic Pollution Coalition and the Last Plastic Straw campaign. You can join me here.

NOTE: This article originally appeared at MomsCleanAirForce.org, a terrific activist organization one million moms strong. Please check them out!

The post Why I Ditched Plastic Straws and You Should Too! appeared first on Big Green Purse.

That’s the idea behind #WeWantRefill, an important new petition drive asking retailers to put plastic container refilling stations in their stores to make it easy for us consumers to use and throwaway less plastic.

WeWantRefill is sponsoring this post. We’re working with them because we support the idea of refilling and reusing plastic containers 100%.

Why Refill?

Fewer than 40% of plastic bottles are recycled. Instead, they get thrown away, where they can break into chunks and little pieces called #microplastic and easily get into our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

It’s estimated that every square mile of ocean has 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in it. And no matter what we’ll do, we’ll never get that plastic out of the ocean.

But we don’t need to add to the problem. The key is to prevent plastic waste in the first place. Of course, the most important step you can take is to go plastic-free and use non-plastic packaging as much as possible. But when you do use plastic bottles and jugs, shouldn’t they be refillable?

That’s where We Want Refill comes in. #WeWantRefill is leading a global petition drive to pressure retailers like grocery stores to set up refill stations so it is easy for you and me to refill our plastic jugs an bottles instead of throw them away.

How Does a Refill Station Work?

If you buy food in bulk, you already get this idea. You simply go to the bulk bin and refill either your own container or a bag you can get at the bin. Many traditional grocery stores, food co-ops, and Whole Foods-type stores devote aisles to bins of grains, tea, nuts, dried pasta, cereal, flour, sugar, dried herbs, candy, and more. You simply fill up your container and note the SKU number on a tie or the container so the cashier can charge you the correct price when you check out.

Some retailers also have in-store stations set up when you can squeeze your own orange juice into a bottle, grind your own peanut butter, dispense your own olive oil and honey, and package up your own feta cheese and tofu.

Why not refill shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, laundry detergent, and liquid soap the same way? Here’s how easy it is:

Some retailers offering refill stations already exist. Here’s one in France. It’s called “Day by Day,” and it’s committed to zero waste.

Here’s one in Brooklyn, NY called The Fillery.

Why Do We Need a Petition?

Organizers of the effort say “the whole purpose of the #WeWantRefill campaign is to show retailers and manufacturers that we, the consumer, want change and we’re ready for this technology. Stores will never do this on their own; when we’ve approached them, their answer is that consumers won’t shop this way.”

By signing the WeWantRefill petition, and liking the campaign’s Facebook page, we can show retailers that there is grassroots support for eliminating plastic by being able to refill plastic containers when we shop.

Won’t It Make a Mess?

“The types of technology available makes the mess obsolete,” reports WeWantRefill. “The refill machine recognizes the size of your container and refills it appropriately.” It’s not a hand-pump system, which can be messy, but rather an automated system that makes refilling clean and efficient.

Please Sign The Petition

WeWantRefill is planning to send copies of the petitions to WalMart, Target, and Whole Foods, as well as manufacturers like Pepsi, L’Oreal, and Procter & Gamble to show them there is support for setting up in-store retailers. We’ve signed, and we hope you will too.

And remember: Follow #wewantrefill on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest campaign news.

The post Want to Eliminate Plastic Pollution? Sign the #WeWantRefill Petition. appeared first on Big Green Purse.

In the new animated Disney movie “Finding Dory,” the adorable little blue tang voiced by Ellen DeGeneres accidentally sleep-swims her way out into the open ocean, gets trapped in a plastic six-pack ring, and ends up captured.

Dory turns out ok. Her panicked family eventually finds her, and they go back to swimming through forests of  kelp, over gorgeous coral reefs, and around all kinds of other fish, urchins, octopi, sea otters and more.

But here’s the spoiler alert: The movie is a cartoon, but the oceans it depicts are not, especially when it comes to plastic pollution. In fact, by 2050, Dory’s fate could be far worse than what’s depicted in the film. That’s because:

in less than 35 years, scientists predict that
there will be more plastic in the sea than fish when measured by weight.

All good movies have a hero, and fortunately, our real-life movie about ocean pollution does, too. It’s the Love the Ocean campaign, a joint initiative of the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas Project and DAVIDOFF Cool Water, a fragrance for men whose sales  help protect marine environments across the globe. They’re sponsoring this post so you can pitch in and not just love the oceans, but help save them, too.

Why Bother?

Don’t think the oceans are worth protecting? Here are 6 mind-boggling facts that will change your mind in less time than it takes you to make a tuna fish sandwich.

Stop Trashing the Oceans.

6 Mind-Boggling Reasons Why.

1) 71% of the “earth” is covered by the ocean. The oceans are why the world exists as we know it. No oceans? No us.

2) Over 50% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by our oceans. Don’t like the idea of suffocating? Keep the oceans alive.

3) A shocking 11 billion pounds of plastic waste were dumped into the ocean in 2012 alone. That’s just one year. Now multiply that year after year after year. Mind boggling, right?

4) By the year 2050, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish when measured by weight. Yes, I said this already. I’m repeating it so you will, as well. Because that’s what you need to do with mind-boggling facts. Tell everyone you know so their mind will get boggled, too – right before they take action.

5) 90% of the world’s fisheries are either overexploited or fully fished out. That means that the fish that used to be there pretty much aren’t any more.

6) 47% of edible seafood is wasted each year in the United States alone. It’s like taking that nice piece of grilled salmon on your plate, cutting it in half, and throwing it away. Just. Like. That.

What Can You Do to Save Dory and Stop Trashing the Oceans? Go Plastic-Free.

At the Love the Ocean website, spokesperson and hunky actor/model Scott Eastwood (yes, THAT Eastwood) says, “We can’t ignore the importance of protecting the world’s oceans.”

“As individuals, we have more power to change the world than we think.”

You can watch his short and compelling video right here:

Eastwood also encourages folks like you and me to go plastic-free. Here’s how:

1. Stop using so much plastic, especially plastic bags.
2. Encourage your local government to introduce legislation supporting a plastic bag ban, or ask consumers to pay a small fee to use plastic bags rather than their own reusables.
3. Take the Plastic Free Challenge. Avoid single-use plastic as long as you can – a day, a week, a month, longer? (Beth Terry at My Plastic Free Life can show you exactly how to live very happily without plastic.)
4. Use your social networks. Encourage friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and your community online to kick the plastic habit, too.
5. Join a clean up. DAVIDOFF is organizing beach clean-ups in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany to get people involved. But don’t wait for them to pitch in. Your local environmental organization and coastal protection group probably already has clean-ups in the works. If not, help them get one going.

By the way, make sure you’re eating the right fish, too. Leave the threatened species alone. Purchase only seafood certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as being sustainably maintained. You can see the list of what they recommend here. Or, look for their eco-label when you shop.

The post Finding Dory Will Be Impossible If We Don’t Stop Trashing the Oceans appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Wooden sunglasses have entered the fashion world, and maybe just at the right time.

Plastic has become such a huge problem in the oceans and for wildlife, and causes so many public health problems, any time we can choose a non-plastic alternative when we shop, we should! That includes for eyewear – sunglasses as well as regular glasses.

For Earth Day, we’ve teamed up with SmartBuy’s Wooden collection to let you know that wooden sunglasses are available. Specifically, in this post, I:

• highlight the benefits of choosing non-plastic frames for sunglasses as well as regular eye glasses.

• suggest ways to extend the life of your glasses so you don’t have to keep buying anew

• tell you where you can donate your glasses rather than throw them away when you need a new prescription

Why are Wooden Sunglasses Better than Plastic?

There’s already too much plastic in the world! By some estimates, there is more plastic in the oceans than fish!! In fact, fish are eating microplastic, which means that we humans may end up eating plastic ourselves. Microplastic is turning up in other foods, too, like sea salt.

Plus, manufacturing plastic creates a host of pollution and health problems.

With so many better alternatives available, there’s no need to choose plastic!

For example, Woody’s Barcelona offers a wide range of wooden sunglasses that come in a variety of individually carved wood materials, including bamboo, recycled skateboard, and sustainably managed forests. Despite the frames being made out of wood, the eyewear is available in many fun colors and trendy shapes, such as square, semi-rimless, cat-eye and circle styles.

You may also find glasses frames made from recycled newspapers and recycled metal.

How to Extend the Life Of Your Glasses

• Remove the scratches
• Repair the arms
• Protect glasses from breaking and getting scratched

Like anything you buy, it makes sense to use it as long as you can. Glasses will last for years (or until you need a new prescription) if you take care of them properly.

One reason why you may be tempted to throw your glasses away is because the lenses got scratched. No doubt about it, scratched lenses can be really annoying!

No matter how small a scratch is, it can interfere with your line of vision. It can make them look cheap and used, too.

Here’s how I extend the life of my glasses and sunglasses.

Make an All-Natural Scratch Remover Solution

It’s super easy to apply and once done, your lenses will appear to be brand new. Just follow the below steps to clean up your scratched glasses.

1. Clean Your Glasses
First, clean the surface of your lenses to see where the scratches actually are. Make sure to use a cleaner (specifically for glasses) and a clean micro-fiber cloth.

2. Apply Scratch Remover
Next, dab a mild toothpaste on the scratched lens and rub it gently with a cotton bud or ball. To remove the toothpaste, rinse the lens with cool water. If the scratch is deep, you might need to repeat this process a few times. You can also make a paste of baking soda and water. Mix the soda and water until you achieve about the same consistency as toothpaste and apply onto the lens in the same way.

3. Apply Scratch Filling
Apply a scratch filling product if deep scratches remain. Simply rub wax onto the lens with a clean micro-fiber cloth, and then wipe it off with a clean area of the cloth. You need to re-apply the wax once a week for the best results.

You can see the full guide on how to extend the life of your glasses here.

Repair Your Glasses

It’s common for the tiny screws that hold the arm of the frame to the lens to fall out. For just a couple of dollars, you can get a glasses repair kit that includes tiny replacement screws, as well as the tiny screwdriver you need to repair the glasses. Keep the kit handy so you can replace the screws, or tighten them up to keep them from falling out in the first place

Protect Your Glasses – Store Them in Their Case

I’m as guilty as the next person at treating my glasses and sunglasses carelessly. One way they’ll last longer is if you put them in a protective case before you throw them in your purse, briefcase or backpack. Most glasses come with some kind of cloth or hard-cover case. May as well use it.

DONATE

The Lions Club collects used glasses and then recycles them. The non-profit organization collects them, then delivers them to regional recycling centers. The glasses are cleaned, sorted by prescription strength, then distributed to people in need, primarily in developing countries. In my community, the Lions have a collection bin in our local library. Many Walmart stores with vision Centers also collect glasses for the Lions’ effort. Go here to contact your local Lions club, or find the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.

Buy One, Give One Campaign

In collaboration with global non-profit Unite for Sight, SmartBuyGlasses supports their Buy One, Give One campaign. For every pair of prescription lenses purchased from SmartBuyGlasses, a pair will be donated to a community in need. They firmly believe that everyone has the right to perfect vision regardless of their socio-economic situation and if you agree, you can feel happy that your purchase is going towards a great cause. You can read more about the Buy One, Give One cause here.

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