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.