5 Tips to Reduce Plastic Use this Earth Day 2022
Waterkeepers Carolina and its member organizations recognize the importance of investing in our planet’s future by taking action now. From our study of microplastics to the installation of Trash Trouts in North Carolina waterways to reduce litter, our Waterkeepers are doing their part to reduce plastics in our water. This Earth Day is a great day to commit to helping them by reducing plastic use in your daily life!
Here are 5 simple steps to take:
Use a reusable tote instead of a plastic bag when shopping.
One simple way to reduce plastic use is to commit to carrying reusable bags, available at most stores. Up to one trillion plastic bags are used each year according to the EPA. We can reduce that number. Always forgetting to bring your bags? Keep them in your car to ensure you always have them at the store!
Carry a reusable water bottle!
You’ll reduce your plastic footprint AND save money when you switch to reusable. Bottled water is about 3000% more expensive than tap water by the gallon!
Pay attention to packaging.
Buy products in paper packages instead of plastic. Cardboard is easier to recycle and biodegradable so when you have a choice, buy products like pasta or laundry detergent in paper packaging.
Store your food in glass containers.
All of those plastic baggies and wraps you use to store leftovers add up, increasing the plastic pollution in our environment. Make the switch to glass containers for a more sustainable solution.
Switch to reusable straws.
We use an estimated 500 million plastic straws in America each day and that pollutes our waterways, harming the animals that live there. If you still need a straw, there are reusable metal alternatives that are easy to carry with you.
Start the path to reduce plastic use in your life today. North Carolina waters need our help.
One more way to help: Join our Water Warrior action list to stand with Waterkeepers Carolina as we call on elected leaders at the federal, state and local levels to protect our waterways.
Join us!
Waterkeepers Carolina members are celebrating Earth Day across the state. We’ll be posting their events on this page.
Coastal Carolina Riverwatch
Join Coastal Carolina Riverwatch and We Plant it Forward for an Earth Day tree seedling giveaway. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/341540367804712/
Yadkin Riverkeeper
Join Yadkin Riverkeeper for the Great Yadkin River Bridge Earth Day Cleanup! Sign up as individuals or as a group to clean up a bridge crossing the Yadkin River or one of its many tributaries the weekend before Earth Day, April 16-17, through the following Sunday, April 24. Learn more and sign up: https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/events/2022/4/16/great-yadkin-river-bridge-earth-day-cleanup-t7hap
Haw River Assembly
Join Haw River Assembly for their Annual Earth Day Event. This year they’ll be planting in Saxapahaw on Saturday, April 23 2022 (10AM – 12PM). Click here for more information.
MountainTrue
Join the Watauga Riverkeeper and Water Team members from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Earth Day for a river cleanup upstream and downstream of their Winkler's Creek Trash Trout. Click here for more information.
