My name is Renee Koval, the Rise Above Plastics (RAP) Coordinator for Grays Harbor Surfrider. I was born, raised, educated, worked, raised a family and retired here, in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve long been worried about the welfare of our planet, and I am happy to have found the Surfrider Foundation which provides a way I can participate in taking care of our environment.
A lot of people don’t like to make New Year’s Resolutions, but I always have. I write a list of things I’d like to accomplish in the year to come, and I put it on the refrigerator. My list of New Year’s Resolutions is actually more like a “to do” list for the coming year, and it includes actions such as, remember birthdays, read nine books, or clean out the hallway closet. You see, I get a lot of satisfaction when I check things off.
Tasks involving reducing the use of plastic in my home always make their way onto the list. One year I included something very simple, which was to find reusable replacements for plastic produce bags. Another year I resolved to try making flatbread rather than buying bread in plastic bags to see if it was something I could incorporate into my daily life. It was! Another year I resolved to buy fresh berries from Spooner Farms and freeze them instead of buying strawberries in December sold in plastic clamshells. That was more successful than I’d imagined as the frozen Spooner berries were much tastier than the imported "fresh" ones.
But sometimes the actions I try don’t stick. One such action was to get over an aversion to the idea of chewing toothpaste tabs. I tried it for eight months and even conquered my aversion, but a visit to the dentist convinced me that my sensitive teeth required I go back to Sensodyne brand toothpaste which, of course, comes in a plastic tube. But, at least I gave it a shot.
I have resolved to read more environmental newsletters or attend one of the free online seminars that pop up every now and then in my email. I’ve discovered the newsletters are very interesting, and I learn quite a lot.
If you’re ready to make any plastic related resolutions or set goals for the coming year, I have some simple suggestions. These suggestions are merely that; suggestions, some of which have worked well for me. And, I am one of those people who believe that small steps that don’t seem like they can add up to much when confronting an issue as huge as our plastic problem, actually do add up to a lot. For example, giving up plastic bags isn’t just one plastic bag. It’s the pile of plastic bags that you won’t be using in the future. Or trading a refillable water bottle doesn’t eliminate just one plastic bottle from the environment; it’s eliminating the many you would be using in the future. Here are some suggestions. Give one or two a try.
● Little changes. You can always start with the basics. Buy items such as cooking oil and mustard in glass jars, rather than plastic. I’ve found that the Grocery Outlet is a good source for glass packaged items, once you look past the plastic choices. Wrap food in aluminum foil, wax paper or paper sandwich bags instead of plastic film. Another important thing to keep in mind is that heat encourages the release of microplastics into food. So, use ceramic, glass or paper if you put food items in a microwave. Of course, always replace a plastic water bottle with a refillable stainless steel one. If you’d like more simple suggestions, the Surfrider Foundation offers 10 Ways to Rise Above Plastics.
● Seek out where to buy plastic-free alternatives. Stores such as Seaside Liquidation Outlet in Ocean Shores, The Market Place in Aberdeen, and WinCo in Olympia offer food in bulk. Check out local farmers markets to find fruit and vegetables not wrapped in plastic. I also shop at Michael’s Meat Shack and the Safeway deli for meat and cheese not wrapped in plastic, although I usually need to request it. You can also find a meat counter at the Elma Farmer’s Market and a cheese deli at the Fresh Foods Market in Seabrook. You can find many sources online, such as Life Without Plastic, Blueland, Zero Waste Outlet, Meliora.
● Get prepared for a plastic-free home. In order to replace single use plastic items in your home, you often have to get new supplies to fill the void. You may need to buy stainless steel or wooden utensils to replace plastic ones or get a supply of glass or ceramic jars or containers for food storage. You may also need to find (or sew) cotton bags for buying produce or items in bulk. I like Life Without Plastic not only as a source, but also because of their information. You may consider silicone bags which I’ve bought from Stasher for food storage. Mason jars are excellent for food storage, and you can put them in the freezer.
● Educate yourself. Check out websites such as Beyond Plastics, Plastic Free July, Plastic Pollution Coalition and the weekly online newsletter from Environmental Health News. A couple of books that I recommend are "A Year Without Garbage" by humorist Eve O. Schaub, and "The Problem With Plastic" by Judith Enck. Judith is the founder and president of Beyond Plastics, and I smile each time her name pops up in the news. And please, send your recommendations or questions to me at rkoval@graysharbor.surfrider.org.
● Support the Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Washington collaborates with partners, negotiates with industry leaders, and develops policy strategies to identify bills and budgets we can work on during each state legislative session that will continue the mission of protecting Washington's ocean, waves, and beaches. Surfrider Washington has been working on passing a Bottle Deposit bill and a stricter Plastic Bag Ban. Keep watching Surfrider Washington Coast and Ocean Legislation to stay informed on the status of bills and how you can support them. If you eat out, consider choosing Ocean Friendly Restaurants such as Rediviva or Steam Donkey in Aberdeen, or the Wandering Goose in Tokeland. I’d also like to give a shout out to Galway Bay Irish Pub in Ocean Shores for switching to metal straws. Another action you can do, and one dear to me, is to attend my RAP (Rise Above Plastics) discussion group to meet like-minded people and to learn more about the issues concerning plastic pollution and what we can do about it.
Happy Holidays and Have a Peaceful New Year Full of Hope.