#BeatPlasticPollution Challenge

Plastic is everywhere. It is used in a wide range of sectors including packaging, construction, agriculture, automobiles, electronics, textiles, and healthcare.

Plastic pollution is a key environmental issue worldwide. Of the 4 million tonnes of plastic waste that is thrown away in Canada every year, only 9% is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and the environment, littering parks, beaches, streets, and other places of we value.

Plastic pollution harms wildlife and damages habitats. It is found across the world in the air, water, soil, and even in the foods we eat. By reducing plastic pollution and improving how we make, use, and manage plastics, we can:

• Strengthen sustainable economies
• Create jobs
• Help fight climate change
• Protect biodiversity and the environment

So, what can we do? We can rethink how we use plastic in our daily lives and take the #BeatPlasticPollution Challenge!

The challenge

This #PlasticFreeJuly, we challenge you to choose alternatives to every day single-use plastic items, such as reusable and plastic free alternatives.

Bathroom swaps

Replace worn toothbrushes with an earth-friendly alternative

According to Statistics Canada, almost 40% of Canadians brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. If toothbrushes are replaced every 3-4 months, this can add up to millions of toothbrushes being disposed of every year.

Try this:

• Use your current plastic toothbrush until it wears out and dispose of it according to your local waste programs
• Reuse it as a home cleaning tool after you’re done with it
• When buying a new one, consider an eco-friendly option, such as a reusable toothbrush with replaceable tips

Trade plastic bottles of body wash and shampoo for bars

Did you know that many soaps, shampoos, and conditioners come in solid form?

Try this:

• First, use up your body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in plastic bottles. You can repurpose the bottles or recycle them, according to your local waste programs.
• Look for bars of soap, shampoo, and conditioner at your local grocery or health food stores.
• Pro tip: many soap and shampoo bars are sold with zero-waste or plastic-free packaging!

Phase out disposable razors for a reusable one or other methods

Certain razors are another form of disposable plastic that is found in many homes.

Try this:

• Once you are ready to change your old disposable razor, replace it with an eco-friendly reusable option
• Participate in company take-back programs, or dispose of razors according to your local waste management programs
• Think about skipping a shave or 2 from time to time. Bonus, your skin will thank you!
• Consider other hair removal methods that have less plastic waste

Phase out disposable menstrual products for reusable alternatives

Menstrual products are often made of or packaged in plastic. In recent years, companies have started going green and now offer more options than pads and tampons.

Try this:

• Period underwear
• Menstrual cups
• Tampons without a plastic applicator
• Pro tip: Some city and municipalities have programs that offer to repay a portion of zero waste menstrual products.

Trade high waste beauty products for eco-friendly options

Makeup wipes, cottons swabs, loofas and sponges often come in plastic packaging.

Try this:

• Washable cotton rounds
• Silicone tipped swabs
• Natural fiber loofas

Kitchen swaps

Drink tea? Try loose leaf

Many tea bags are made of bleached paper, nylon and could release microplastics and nanoplastics into your cup of tea.

Try this:

• Consider purchasing ethically sourced loose leaf tea in a reusable or recyclable container
• Try tea bags made from organic materials or reusable strainers

Replace disposable plastic wrap with a reusable alternative

Did you know that plastic food wrap is very hard to recycle?

Try this:

• Try purchasing or making your own food wrappers made using beeswax or repurposed fabric, like old napkins or tea towels
• Store your lunch or leftovers in washable and reusable containers with lids

Grow your own food

Instead of purchasing fruits and vegetables that are often wrapped in plastic, try growing your own food!

Try this:

• Repurpose an old storage bin. Drill some holes at the bottom and add small branches or rocks for drainage before throwing in garden soil. Plant your herbs and vegetables! A 30-gallon bin can hold one cucumber plant and one tomato plant
• Search for community gardens in your area
• Plant your soon-to-be-rotten veggies to grow new ones. It’s possible to do this with almost every fruit and vegetable
• Compost your food and yard waste, and use the soil for your garden

Shopping swaps

Reuse your reusable checkout bags

In Canada, single-use plastic checkout bags are banned. While this is excellent news, did you know that reusable bags and bins must be reused several times to maintain an environmental advantage over single-use plastic bags?

Try this:

• Get some reusable bags secondhand or make some yourself
• Keep reusable bags with you or in your car for your next grocery store visit
• Reach out to your grocery store to suggest they start a reuse program for checkout bags or bins
• If you find yourself with more bags than you need, consider donating them, as some charities may be able to reuse them

Avoid single-use plastic drink bottles or cups

Did you know that over 2.4 million bottles of water are sold in Canada every year? That is a lot of plastic bottles!

Try this:

• Find a reusable bottle or jar for your “on-the-go” beverages
• If you have to use a single-use plastic bottle, recycle it according to your local waste programs

Get your coffee in a reusable cup or mug

Canadians love their coffee, drinking on average just over 2 cups per day.

Try this:

• Bring a reusable cup from home to your favourite coffee shop (some shops offer a discount for using a reusable cup)
• Take some time to enjoy your coffee in a reusable mug at the café
• Take your home-brewed coffee or hot beverage on-the-go in your favourite reusable mug
• If they don’t already, ask your coffee shop to offer reusable mugs for drinking in-store, or to fill reusable mugs brought from home
• If you must use a single-use cup, avoid using a plastic lid and dispose of the cup according to your local waste programs

Skip unnecessary plastic packaging and try the bulk bins for dry goods, cleaning products, and more

Cut back on packaging and help move toward zero waste by buying in bulk.

Try this:

• Find bulk stores in your community or use the bulk section in your grocery store
• Make a list of the items available in your bulk stores or bulk aisles
• Shop bulk with your own reusable containers to avoid plastic packaging and reduce waste

Buy second-hand items to extend the life of products and avoid waste

It’s easy to find well-made and affordable second-hand goods at a store or online — the hard part is deciding how to choose what’s right for you! Make a list and explore!

Try this:

• Avoid buying new items if you can
• Swap items with friends, or try local and online marketplaces to buy used goods
• Donate your gently used goods, where accepted

Shop at your local farmer’s market

As farmers’ markets grow in popularity, the opportunities to find plastic-free packaging or re-fillable containers are also growing.

Try this:

• Find your local market and shop with reusable bags and containers
• Encourage your favourite vendors to cut down on plastic packaging and waste

Buy meat from a local farmer or butcher

Meat packaging is often made from polystyrene, which is difficult to recycle.

Try this:

• Talk to your local farmer or butcher about using reusable or locally recyclable containers
• Bring your own containers

Support and say thanks to businesses phasing out single-use plastics

Businesses with eco-friendly practices are growing in popularity, and you can influence what companies do and sell through your purchasing power.

Try this:

• Say thank you by purchasing products that can be reused, repaired, repurposed, or recycled
• Talk to your favourite stores about what they are doing to reduce plastic waste

Find out which Canadian and international businesses signed the Ocean Plastics Charter.

Be mindful of how your drinks are packaged

In Canada, single-use plastic ring carriers are banned. You will find that beverages are now packaged using alternatives made of more sustainable materials. Did you know that the most sustainable option remains avoiding the use of any kind of single-use packaging?

Try this:

• Use your own reusable beverage container to enjoy your favorite drink
• Buy your favourite beverage as single items and carry them in a reusable bag
• If you’re buying in bulk, choose beverages that are packaged in a locally recyclable tray or box, or use a reusable carrier

Laundry and cleaning swaps

Simplify your cleaning products

Cleaning supplies often come in plastic containers.

Try this:

• Make your own cleaning products and store them in a reusable container. Hot water, white vinegar, and dish soap can do wonders! Using baking soda is also a safe and affordable way to remove tough stains and unwanted odors
• Recycle and dispose of your cleaning products and containers according to your local waste management programs

Clean up your laundry habits and go green

Did you know that every time you wash your clothes, plastic microfibres — small plastic thread-like pieces — are released and enter the wastewater stream? The average household in Canada and the United States releases over 500 million microfibres from laundry every year. Up to 99% of that is captured by wastewater treatment plants but a lot of microfibres still enter our water.

Try this:

• Wash your clothes in colder water, and wash less frequently
• Try a front-loading washing machine
• Consider using a filter for your washing machine to catch microfibres
• Purchase laundry detergent strips or boxed laundry powder instead of liquid detergent in a plastic bottle
• White vinegar, baking soda, Epsom salts, and wool dryer balls are effective alternatives to dryer sheets and laundry softener
• Buy in bulk and bring your own reusable containers
• Participate in your local recycling and waste management programs when disposing of your detergent bottles

Put a lid on it!

Did you know that wind and animals can contribute to unintentional litter?

Try this:

• Put a lid on your garbage and recycling bins, so the wind doesn’t blow away your waste and to keep animals from spilling or moving waste
• Live in the countryside? Add a bungee cord to your bins, so bigger animals can’t open the lid

Baby product swaps

Make space for eco-friendly baby products

Even the youngest members of the family can help Canada to #BeatPlasticPollution.

Try this:

• Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers
• Opt for washable and reusable baby wipes
• Consider a natural-fibre pacifier
• Try buying second-hand items to extend the life of products and reduce waste

Outdoor and roadtrip swaps

Every summer, families from across the country head out on roadtrips or to their favourite campsite. Living plastic free is always more difficult when you are away from home, but we have some tricks!

Make your own ice cube at home instead of purchasing bags

Every year, thousands of bags of ice are purchased throughout the country. These bags are made of plastics and are hard to recycle.

Try this:

• Plan ahead and make your own ice cubes using repurpose Ziploc bags or milk bags
• Use ice packs. If you stop in a hotel, put them in the freezer so they last longer
• Freeze your reusable water bottles before leaving. You’ll have cold water to drink for a little while and you won’t need ice.

Bring a water jug or water filter instead of single-use bottles

Single-use water bottles are an easy solution when away from home, but they are often littered in the environment.

Try this:

• Bring a water jug so you can refill your bottles
• Purchase a water filter so you can drink lake or river water without being sick. You might be surprised at how good the water taste!

Skip the fast-food restaurants and make your own food

Food wrappers, beverage cans are other very common type of litter in our environment.

Try this:

• Plan the meals and snacks you will eat during your vacation
• Bring the right amount of food. Repackage in reusable containers if necessary. This will generate less waste.
• Try dehydrating your meals. If you are scared your food will go bad, dehydrating is the solution. Properly dehydrated meals can be stored outside the fridge between 4 and 12 months. Look online for delicious recipes!

Borrow adventure items instead of purchasing new

Are you new to outdoor adventures? If so, you probably need to gear up.

Try this:

• Borrow items from friends and family
• Rent technical items from a local store
• Purchase second hands items if needed

Skip the toilet paper and pick eco-friendly alternatives

Toilet paper is an everyday essential that we cannot live without. However, it is often packaged in layers of plastic, and it may contain harsh chemicals.

Try this:

• Bring a portable bidet
• Choose an eco-friendly brand of toilet paper
• Use a washable kula cloth

Pet accessories swaps

Did you know our furry friends can also contribute to reducing plastic waste and pollution? Of course they will need your help!

Skip the doggie bags

This is a plastic swap you might not have thought about before! Of course, we are not asking you to leave your dog waste on the ground.

Try this:

• Use a trowel or a few layers of newspaper instead of a bag
• Transform old bread bags, Ziplocs or even milk bags into a poop bag. You can even wash them and reuse them over and over again.
• Use paper bags or any other eco-friendly options

Less is more when it comes to toys

We are often guilty of purchasing too many toys for our furry companions. But sometimes, our pets can also be quick to destroy their brand new stuffies.

Try this:

• Repair the broken toys. Stuffed animals can be sown back together
• Swap toys with your friends. Pets can have one particular type of toys that they prefer. If you tried something that they did not like, try exchanging it for something else
• Donate the excess to a local animal shelter
• Purchase quality toys and eco-friendly options

Go for homemade treats instead of purchasing them in a plastic bag

Nothing beats a home cook meal, so why not try this approach with your pet’s snacks!

Try this:

• Freeze fresh fruits such as watermelon, apples, bananas, and blueberries. Make sure to remove all the seeds.
• Make your own jerky using a dehydrator or a freeze dryer
• Look online for recipes for delicious treats

Other swaps

Get your community involved! Organize or join a neighborhood cleanup event

Is there a better feeling than a clean house? How about transposing this feeling to your community?

Try this:

• Get your neighborhood, school, work, or friends involved and organize a community cleanup.
• Search online or check your local community news to see if there are cleanup groups or upcoming events in your area
• Check out the Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup to lead or join a cleanup

Host a plastic-free party and skip the balloons!

Balloons, while not always made from plastic, are a form of litter that can harm wildlife. Find more sustainable ways to hold your memorable celebrations.

Try this:

• Use homemade decorations from recycled paper, wildflowers, and non-toxic candles
• Strive for a zero-waste event — use reusable napkins, cutlery, plates, cups, containers, and more
• Skip the plastic tablecloth and use a washable and reusable cloth one
• If you can’t go without balloons, use them indoors only, stop them from being released into the environment, and dispose of them according to your local waste management programs

Recycle as a last line of defence

As a first step, we can refuse single-use (and other unnecessary) plastics. When needed, choose sustainable alternatives.

Try this:

• If you have a plastic item that you no longer wish to use, but it is in great condition, there are lots of people in your community who may need that item. Consider donating it to charity, a second-hand shop, a friend, or family member
• Repairing damaged items or repurposing plastic items is another good way to extend the useful life of plastics, and to demonstrate real creativity and ingenuity
• If you’ve explored reduce, reuse, and it is time to recycle, learn about what can be recycled in your community, school, or work, and participate in your local recycling programs

Keep your device for a longer period of time

Plastic is everywhere, including in electronics. Always wanting to keep up with trends with the latest phone or watch, discarded electronics are piling up.

Try this:

• Repair what is broken instead of purchasing new ones. Your wallet will thank you!
• Give your old electronics to someone who might need it
• Make sure to properly dispose of e-waste

Turn this challenge into a lifelong commitment

Did you have fun trying all of our challenges? If so, why not take it a little further and #BeatPlasticPollution every day by gradually shifting to a zero plastic waste lifestyle? Big or small, every action counts!

Related links:

Plastic waste and pollution reduction

Single-use Plastics Prohibitions Regulations — Overview

What is the circular economy?

Nanoplastics: small particles with big impacts

Ocean Plastics Charter