This month millions of people around the world are committing to reducing the plastic waste they generate. Plastic Free July encourages participants to make small, everyday changes to stop using single-use plastics and prevent plastic pollution. If you’re new to the challenge, here’s how to have a successful plastic-free July in Philly and how you can keep the momentum going once the month is over.
Shop Sustainably
It’s better to use what you have before buying something new. But if you’re looking to stock up on household goods, there are local stores dedicated to providing plastic-free and refillable products. You can find items such as bulk soaps and detergents, shampoo bars, and beeswax wraps at Ray’s Reusables in Northern Liberties, Good Buy Supply in East Passyunk, and Perennial Refill Hub in Mt. Airy. Co-ops will also let you buy in bulk with reusable containers. These shops source local and organic products to avoid excessive packaging. Some local options include Weavers Way, which has multiple locations in Northwest Philly, or South Philly Food Co-op.
Repair > Replace
Speaking of using what you have, see if you can fix that broken item before throwing it away. The Philly Fixers Guild hosts repair fairs on the second Thursday of each month. Sign up for its newsletter so you can secure your spot before registration fills up. And consider taking a class at the West Philly Tool Library so you can get comfortable using tools to make repairs or build something new on your own.
Recycle Efficiently
If you’re not committing to a 100% plastic-free month, you can still dispose of your remaining plastics responsibly. The 2-1-5 Method is a general rule of thumb to remember which plastics can be recycled through our municipal recycling program (those labeled #1, #2, or #5). Philly expanded what’s eligible for recycling back in January, so test your knowledge with this game. And if you’re unsure if something is truly recyclable, toss it in the trash rather than wishcycling. Also let’s encourage the city to implement long-term solutions to make those windy recycling days less messy.
Keep Plastics out of Our Waterways and Parks
Microplastics are pervasive in Pennsylvania’s waterways, with the most common pollutants being single-use plastics and tire rubber. While stronger regulation and systems changes are necessary to turn the tide on our pollution problem, our local parks, creeks, and rivers could use help collecting visible waste. You can volunteer to collect trash at Tacony Creek Park, the Wissahickon, or Cobbs Creek. Philly parks regularly host cleanups on a weekly and monthly basis.
If you see a storm drain filled with trash, submit a request for an inlet cleaning. You can also volunteer to mark storm drains so people are aware everything flows back into our water!
♻️ How are you committing to a low-waste lifestyle this month?
