Zero Waste: Plastics

(Reprinted with permission from Rebecca Rockefeller)

Handy items to replace common single-use plastics:

Sturdy glass straws made in the USA with a liftime replacement guarantee

Natural waxed paper bags & rolls to replace plastic sandwich bags & Saran wrap (available in Bainbridge stores)

Mason jars work well for bulk shopping and storage, and they're widely available!

Cotton drawstring bags are perfect for produce (get the bag damp for storage in your fridge), bread, non-sticky baked goods and bulk dry goods like pasta, beans, rice, etc.

Keep a set of silverware you could bear to lose with a few thrift store cloth napkins in your car for plastic-free to-go eating.

Reduce plastic packaging by reusing and sharing resources locally:

Freecycle Bainbridge Island - Part of the international Freecycle network, this group allows you to post anything legal via email for free giveaway to community memebers who will pick it up and give it a good home. Read the rules first - there are certain ways you need to write your email subject line and certain restrictions about what can be offered.

Bainbridge Online Yard Sale: Just like it sounds, an online group where you can buy and sell anything you'd find at a yard sale.

Bainbridge Barter: Weekly get-together on Saturday morning at Waterfront Park. A garden variety (literally!) potluck in the park, at which you can briing a basketful of whatever bounty you have from your garden or home kitchen and leave with a basket filled with others' contributions, potluck-style.

Backyard Garden Barter & Exchange: An online forum for bartering and trading with other local residents on any day of the week.

Inside Bainbridge Classifieds: Post items for free or for sale. This is a new online resource.