by Kaitlin Quigley

Did you know that America alone uses over 500 million plastic straws every day? 

Most of those straws, like other kinds of plastic, end up in our oceans and pollute the water. According to National Geographic, 8 million tons of plastic waste from coastal nations ends up in our oceans every year. That’s the same amount of waste as placing five filled garbage bags on every foot of coastline around the world.  

Once plastic ends up in the ocean, it’s nearly impossible to get it out. While some mechanical systems can recover big pieces of plastic, like single-use cups or bags, plastic that’s been broken down already cannot be easily retrieved. 

Not only does plastic pollute the water, but it hurts marine life, too. Science predicts that if we don’t work together to reduce plastic use, there will be more plastic in the ocean than there are fish by 2050. 

But here’s the good news: if we act now, we can save our oceans and planet from a complete plastic takeover. Not sure where to start? Here are a few simple swaps you can make to curb your plastic footprint this summer. 

1. Save ocean life by swapping plastic straws for reusable ones. Plastic straws can do a lot of damage to a sea creature’s digestive system, sometimes even leading to starvation. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives. Some prefer to skip the straw entirely. Although, this is not a possibility for everyone, as many people need a straw to be able to drink. You can find a list of 14 reusable straws— from silicone to stainless steel— that are affordable, adaptable, and easy to use here. Pro Tip: If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ve probably noticed some changes to the plastic lids at places like Starbucks, and even in local shops. While it’s a step in the right direction to swap straw holes for sip lids, the cup itself still generates single-use plastic waste. And, sip lids are not always inclusive to those who need a straw to drink. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, check and see if your favorite coffee shop will prepare your drink in a reusable cup. That way, you can find a cup that best suits your needs, and do your part for the environment, too. 

2. Stay hydrated, sustainably. At Adventures in Kindness, we’re always on a mission to drink more water, especially during the hot summer months. But plastic water bottles are expensive, wasteful, and warm up quickly, especially in a hot car or on a walk. That’s why we love our friends at Fill it Forward, a Certified B Corporation finding the best solutions to eliminating single-use waste. Fill it Forward combines sustainable products with great technologies and global giving initiatives, too. They make staying hydrated easy, fun, and impactful. By making it a habit to carry a reusable water bottle wherever the day may lead, we can reach two goals this summer: 1) staying hydrated, and 2) saving the planet.

3. Skip the plastic snack bags. By the 1970s, Ziploc bags were officially a go-to staple in homes across the country. But despite their convenient design, Ziploc and competing single-use bags contribute to our current environmental crisis. Last spring, I swapped my Ziplocs for Stasher Bags, a Certified B Corporation providing silicone storage bags in the fight against single-use waste. They come in fun colors and are so easy to wash and reuse. You can toss them in the freezer, the microwave, and even the oven! Snacking doesn’t have to be wasteful— by finding alternatives to single-use products, we can turn our intention to create a better world into actual impact. 

Cutting back on single-use plastic is an adventure we can all take this summer, no matter where you live. And if you’re visiting a beach, pond, or lake in the next few months, it’s always a good idea to pick up any trash you see that could harm local sea creatures. Make it a point to simply leave every beach area you visit cleaner than the way you found it.  

For more acts of kindness to show animals, the planet, and others, check out the Adventures in Kindness book here.  Use code KINDSUMMER22 for free shipping and receive a free gift with your purchase!