Plastics are a problem. And single-use plastics—the kind we buy everyday: think laundry detergent, to-go food containers, etc.—is the real problem. Every year in the US, millions of tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans and waterways, versus only 9% going into our recycle bins. One startling prediction is that there could be more plastic than fish in our ocean by 2050. And by the same year, 99% of our seabirds could be negatively (even fatally) affected by ingesting plastic. What can we do?
Use Refillable Products
Look for brands that offer refillable products, meaning when you’re done with the inside, you can replenish the product in the same packaging. You can also skip this step and use your own container—preferably something sustainable like metal or glass—and find a refillable station with your favorite products.
Reduce Your Plastic Purchases
We get it, it can be hard to commit to a totally plastic-free life. But even making a few small adjustments to our buying habits can go a long way. For example, why not find at least one non-plastic alternative in your everyday life? It could be as simple as having the barista at your favorite café fill your travel mug rather than give you a to-go container. You can also keep your cloth shopping bags in the trunk of your car, so you never forget them when you get to the grocery store. (Aren’t we all guilty of that sometimes?)
Other options include opting for bars of soap instead of liquid in plastic containers. And instead of buying plastic water bottles, invest in a water filtration system or dispenser for your home or business. If everyone made just one of these swaps, think how much less plastic we would use collectively!
Reuse Plastic in Creative Ways
Prepping your plastic container
There are so many ways to reuse—or upcycle—plastic containers. But before you get your crafting tools out, make sure to prep the container first. This means emptying it of all contents and rinsing it thoroughly. Peel all labeling off (soak them in warm or hot water first if they don’t come off easily). Then, we recommend sanitizing the container with a hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol solution, then rinsing it thoroughly and letting it air dry completely. Of course, even if sanitized, we don’t recommend using plastic containers that have held toxic chemicals for food storage and other ingestible items.
Once the container is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to get crafty! Here are some ideas for your plastic project:
Egg cartons into seed starters
Although many egg cartons are now made with recyclable and biodegradable materials, some are still made from polystyrene foam, which is plastic. You can use either type of egg carton as seed starters. (You can use them as is, or cut each egg “cup” into its own seed-starting mini-planter.) Use a screwdriver to poke one or more small holes into each egg cup, for drainage. Fill each cup with soil or your seed starting mix, add the seeds, and cover it all with plastic wrap. (You can also use a plastic lid; this helps the seeds stay hydrated, which they will need to germinate.) Once the seeds have germinated, remove the plastic top and move them to a sunny window. Water and watch them until they are ready to be transplanted.
Not interested in planting? Learn how to turn your egg cartons into birdseed cascarones!
Plastic containers for small item storage
Cotton balls, pencils, pet food—you name it, small plastic containers can store it. This is an easy way to recycle plastic while keeping all those pesky small items in their place. (Maybe even organize your junk drawer and store small personal care items in your linen closet too!) Plastic yogurt cups can be used to store binder clips and paper clips, or beads and other craft supplies for kids. And plastic containers with screw-on lids can be used to store dried goods like pasta, beans, and seeds.
Plastic water bottles into bird waterers
This is such a simple but fun craft for kids and adults. It’s always a perfect way to introduce kids to sustainable habits and start the discussion about being good stewards for our earth. Enjoy!
Help Us to Make a Difference
Sustainability is one of our main values at Chirp. It’s our promise that, not only are all Chirp products top quality, but that they are consciously picked and carefully curated to have the least negative impact on us, our communities, our birds, and our planet. Make a difference, instead, by adding at least one of these sustainable practices to your daily life:
