What’s one change to your grocery habits that felt more manageable than expected — or harder than expected? Why do you think some products, like produce, started amassing so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?
To kick off Plastic Free July, I looked to switch my dog food from a plastic bag. There weren’t any bulk options that I found yet, but a local boutique dog store will give be $1 back for returning Open Farm bags to be terracycled. The other bag of food I bought is from Steve’s Real Food. The bag professes to be biodegradable with the recycling symbol 4 on it. I will try the food and research how my pup reacts.
Would you mind sharing the name of the local dog boutique that terracycles returned dog food bags? I would love to start bringing my dog food bags there! This is such a smart way to reduce plastic consumption that I wouldn't have thought of if it weren't for you! I will start looking into companies that may offer better options and will share if I find any good options.
The store is Doolittles at 22 Windermere near the West Ashley Library. I know for a fact that they will terracycle the bag for all the Open Farm brand. They also give you your 8th bag free, and a $1 discount on the next bag when you return the empty bag.
Hey y’all! I am always up for learning more about any topic, and plastics is definitely something I need to learn more about. I feel that by educating myself, I can find more inspiration to make changes in my own life, and then go on to inspire others. As an educator, I am passionate about lighting a fire in people, young AND old, to actively participate in their own education. I’m so excited to be a part of this challenge and see just how much I can learn these next 31 days. I’m including a photo of my son, whose love for nature inspires me to make this world a better place.
I am inspired to gain awareness of how plastic pollution affects our environment, both land and sea, and our health. I want to get a better understanding of how much single-use plastic I use in my daily life, and what I can do to minimize it and ensure that when it is used, it is recycled properly. I hope to be part of the solution and less part of the plastic problem!
Aside from the damage done by burning fossil fuels, the origin of plastic makes me reflect upon the following: If it takes millions of years for oil to be produced from organic forms, it is only logical that since it is extracted from the earth in such huge quantities, it seems as if the supply would run out. Slow to be created, fast to be extracted means that reusing this material only makes sense.
What influenced your decision on what to swap, and how does that small change feel in the bigger picture? Was the swap easy or difficult? What did it make you realize about convenience, cost, or access to better options?
Using my own container at the farmers market instead of getting a plastic one at the grocery store was more expensive (by far) and less convenient. But I felt better about my purchase because I know it directly benefits the person who grows my fruits and veggies locally!
I've been proud to take part in the Plastic-Free Challenge for many years, and each time I’ve found new ways to cut back on my personal plastic use. This year, my commitment continues—not just to reduce single-use plastics in my daily life, but also to deepen my understanding of how plastics affect our environment and to help raise awareness about their widespread impact.
I’m excited to keep learning, challenging myself, and sharing what I discover with others. 😊
Hi All, I'm having trouble adding actions. Nothing happens if I hit the automatically upload to my actions. When I hit the manual button, the action is not added to my dashboard. Anyone else having problems?
AJ Warren 7/01/2025 9:57 AM
