Photo by Jasmin Sessler on Unsplash

Plastic Free July

July is Plastic Free July, a global movement that is working towards a vision of seeing the world free from plastic waste. Starting in Western Australia in 2011 it has grown to be a world wide movement of bringing awareness around plastic waste, and the many ways that we can all cut down on excess plastics. For the team at Geartrade this is a goal near and dear to our hearts. We are passionate about extending the life cycle of all outdoor products, and minimizing our environmental impact wherever we can. Did you know: At the Geartrade Warehouse we use recycled and compostable mailer bags and packing tape, minimize paper-towel use by using reusable options, do not purchase any plastic and we reuse the plastic that is shipped to our warehouse. We separate and recycle all applicable materials, and have committed to planting trees though the One Tree Planted non-profit. There is always more that we can do, but it's a good first start.

GT writer TJ Parsons wanted to learn more about plastic free July and what that entailed. Read below for his adventures as he committed to being plastic free for one week.

Like many people who love the outdoors, I generally do my best to give a sh*t about the environment. Which is easy enough when you’re out on the trail or in the backcountry—Leave No Trace and all that good stuff. Most people with a conscience take care to avoid littering and otherwise intentionally harming nature when they’re out enjoying it. It’s kind of a no-brainer. However, things get more complicated when it comes to existing in a modern society with all its conveniences—and the messy realities behind them. Specifically, the fact that humans create a lot of trash. Particularly plastic trash, which isn’t nearly as easily recyclable as oil-company financed PSA campaigns led us to believe. It’s a serious problem we’re going to have to solve to avoid irreversible damage to habitats and food sources worldwide. Also like many people who love the outdoors, I try to “do my part” using the standard methods—reusable water bottles, travel mugs, shopping bags, and the like. Not to mention supporting politicians and organizations who seem like they aren’t proactively hellbent on destroying the planet. But sometimes it all just feels like token efforts; more of the same brand of complacency that’s making climate change an increasingly urgent threat. That’s why Plastic Free July sounded like an interesting challenge. I figured I’d start by seeing if I could go just one week without relying on any single-use plastic. I’m as guilty as anyone of prioritizing convenience over sustainability in my day-to-day life, and as much as anything, I wanted a mirror into how much plastic waste I was creating without even realizing it. At no point did I ever expect it was going to be easy, but it was certainly an eye-opening experience. Especially because I didn’t prepare much, if at all.

DAY 1:

Got up early to do a morning hike. It’s the first day of my new plastic-free life, and I’m already feeling more connected with nature. Filled my stainless-steel water bottle and hit the trail. Worked up a good sweat. Got home smelling like a middle-school locker room in the middle of a forest. Went to take a shower before work and realized my body wash of choice is packaged in—you guessed it—a plastic bottle. Uh-oh. This is going to be harder than I thought. Fortunately, I remembered seeing some locally made soaps for sale at a nearby coffee shop, so I’ll be able to avoid abandoning all sense of personal hygiene for the length of this challenge. Picked up some pastries for breakfast, but eating takeout feels like cheating, even if it’s in non-plastic packaging. I’m gonna have to figure out how to feed myself.

DAY 2:

I’m realizing how something as simple as making breakfast is totally plastic-dependent. And also realizing this is quickly turning into a food diary, because that’s really where we create most of our trash on a day-to-day basis. The cereals I’ve loved since childhood? They come in boxes, but guess what’s inside those boxes? Plastic bags. Yogurt containers, for making a nice parfait? Plastic. Milk jug? Plastic. Even the bacon in my fridge is wrapped in plastic. Looks like oatmeal it is.

DAY 3:

Today was the first legit grocery run. Lots of raw produce, and stuff from the butcher and deli counters. If you ask nicely, they can weigh out meats, cheeses, or whatever you’re shopping for into reusable containers you’ve brought with you. Didn’t fully appreciate until now how much of that stuff comes pre-wrapped in plastic. Unsliced bread loaves in paper sleeves seem like the way to go for toast, sandwiches, and general carb duty. Definitely going to help me upgrade my currently-struggling breakfast game. Homemade avocado toast is definitely happening, and so are pancakes. Boom! The grocery bill was actually less than normal, and I’ve brought home a lot less processed junk. I’ve got a bad habit of eating like an unsupervised 8-year-old at times, so I think this challenge might actually help me eat cleaner as well.

DAY 4:

Found some deodorant without plastic packaging at a natural grocery store. Grateful to somehow have not ruined any friendships or relationships in the past three days without wearing deodorant. Thank Ullr for remote work. Supposedly you can make your own deodorant using baking soda and scented oils or something, but I don’t know if I’m quite ready to go Full Hippie just yet. I do know baking soda makes a pretty awesome cleaning agent, and I’ve used it with great results on sinks and bathrooms and other places where I’d normally use a cleaner in a plastic bottle.

DAY 5:

The bulk section at the supermarket is the absolute jam. I feel silly for not discovering it earlier. Rice, beans, pasta, and a bunch of awesome snacks like nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, even treats like yogurt-covered pretzels. It’s cheap, too. I picked up some washable cotton bulk food bags, though for some stuff I can tell a glass or ceramic container would be better. I also learned that wax paper or wax-coated cloths are great for transporting food to picnics and potlucks without using disposable plastic wrap.

DAY 6:

As far as I can tell, boxed mac ‘n’ cheese from the back of the pantry is plastic-free. Come to think of it, so is a pizza delivery box. Good thing, because it’s been a long day and I’m not sure I’ve got much else in me.

DAY 7:

Finally made it to the day of the local farmer’s market, which kind of felt like hitting the plastic-free jackpot. Tons of honey, salsa, and sauces in glass jars, fresh bread in paper bags, and fresh fruits and vegetables ready to go straight into shopping bags. Plus it always feels good to support local farmers and businesses. Good vibes all around. I looked into a local dairy that offers milk in reusable/refillable bottles, and it’s surprisingly affordable. Around the same price as buying milk at the grocery store. (I’m one of those people who still prefers regular dairy to plant- or nut-based alternatives.) Still not sure if I’m going to go with it, but it’s nice to have the option.

EPILOGUE:

It was only a week, and maybe it was still just a token gesture. It’s not like I was exactly roughing it. But realizing how much plastic waste I’ve been generating without consciously making an effort to avoid it was certainly an illuminating experience. Going fully plastic-free is a hardcore commitment—one I’m not sure I’m realistically ready for 100% of the time. But I’m certainly coming away with new ways of thinking about my daily life. And hopefully some healthier eating habits, too. Dealing with the problem of plastic waste will require a cultural shift in how we think about consumption. And of course, not everyone is fortunate enough to be picky about what they’re eating and how it’s packaged. However, for those of us who are, the daily choices we make—including the business practices we choose to reward with our hard-earned dollars—can add up to a very real impact. If more and more consumers demand alternatives to single-use plastic products, manufacturers will be forced to pay attention. In the meantime, making a deliberate effort to keep more plastic out of landfills, oceans, and ecosystems is a great place to start. TJ Parsons is a semi-reformed snowboard bum who now has a semi-adult career as a professional writer and creative. He's a self-proclaimed perpetual intermediate who thinks the outdoors are for everyone, and who wants to help dismantle gatekeeping and elitism in outdoor sports. When he's not squeezing brain juice into a keyboard, you'll find him riding boards or bikes throughout the Intermountain West. Follow us on Instagram + Facebook: Tag us @geartrade with the hashtag #unnewoutdoor #wearitout on your post or story for a chance to be featured on our page.

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