(I use my travel mug for water instead of a water bottle.) Besides the plastic lid and plastic straw, paper cups are lined with a plastic coating. Carry a stainless steel travel mug or water bottle at all times for coffee and other drinks while out in the world.Stainless steel containers sold at some camping supply stores Think bringing your own containers is too much of a hassle and won’t make a difference? Please check out my posts “ Carrying Our Own Containers: Powerful Action or Pointless Inconvenience?“ Some examples of convenient containers are: Stainless containers from Life Without Plastic, Eco Lunchbox, LunchBots, and others. If they won’t do it, give them a Take Out Without card to help them understand why they should. Request takeout places use your container instead of their disposable one. Carry your own containers for take-out food and leftovers.

Why take a chance? Read my posts about bottled water for more information. Plastic may leach chemicals into the water and aluminum bottles are lined with an epoxy resin, some of which has also found to leach into water depending on the brand. I don’t recommend reusable plastic or aluminum bottles. Get a reusable stainless steel bottle (Klean Kanteen has just come out with a completely plastic-free water bottle - no plastic on the cap at all!) or stainless steel travel mug, fill it up with tap water before leaving the house, and refill it wherever you happen to be. And many brands of bottled water are simply filtered tap water. Not only does it come in a plastic bottle, but tremendous resources are used to extract, bottle, and ship it. If you have a car, keep your grocery bags in it and remember to bring them into the store with you! And one more thing: reusable bags are not just for groceries! Carry them for all your purchases, from electronics to clothing. I carry several of them in my purse so I am never without a bag. While they are made from synthetic materials, they compress into their own attached stuff sack, which makes them very convenient and likely to be used. Do you often forget your reusable bags? ChicoBags are a great emergency alternative. Others prefer to put their purchases into a backpack or messenger bag.

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