Could you do without plastic for an entire month?

Union County is encouraging residents to “take the challenge” and participate in a plastic-free month of July. Those who sign up don’t have to go completely plastic free, but they are at least being asked to take meaningful steps towards reducing their plastic use.

Riding the momentum of New Jersey’s single-use bag ban, Union County and its Clean Communities group signed the Plastic Free July event launched by the Plastic Free Foundation in 2011.

“Finding ways to get rid of plastic is easier than you might think, and there’s definitely a lot that residents can do on a personal level to help save the environment,” said County Board of Commissioners Rebecca Williams. ‘Union.

You do not need to be a Union County resident to participate. You can register here to take up the challenge.

Last year, 140 million people participated in Plastic Free July, according to the foundation.

Those who want to reduce the use of plastic can try these tips:

• Instead of using disposable plastic utensils at lunchtime, carry a fork, knife or spoon of residence. Just use it to eat your lunch and don’t forget to put it away to take home and wash it. at the end of the day.
• Rather than drinking water from a single-use bottle to stay hydrated, stock up on reusable water bottle to go.
• When packing lunch for the day, avoid bags and plastic wrap and go washable. and reusable containers that can be used again and again.
• Switch to bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner rather than buying liquid forms that come in plastic bottles.
• Buy deodorant sold in paper packaging instead of traditional plastic tubes.
• Replace your usual disposable K-Cups with a refillable and washable version.

Dino Flammia is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dino.flammia@townsquaremedia.com

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