Take the Plastic Free July Pledge

For the last year or so, there has been a lot of chatter about climate change and how to combat it. From the banning of plastic straws in several places to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal, living a greener life has been the talk of the year. But how does one make a start to achieve this? There are many solutions, but one of the simplest, yet challenging option, is reducing the use of single-use plastic items.

Whether it is plastic bags in our landfills or plastic straws that made their way into our ocean, plastic pollution plagues our ecosystem. In 2011, the Plastic Free July initiative was created as a global movement that encourages its participants to refuse single-use plastics all through-out the month of July. Over the years, the initiative gained momentum due to the worldwide support for the cause. Millions vow to take the pledge and are up for the challenge. But what does it truly entail?

The idea of not using any plastic products for an entire month sounds impossible. But the whole point of the challenge is to replace single-use plastic products with reusable and sustainable alternatives. Wherever you go, try to utilize reusable products whether that's while you're at work, school or running errands. Eliminating plastic from your life is a daunting task since we rely on it so much. But do not let this discourage you, as long as you make an effort, you make an impact.

Here are the four easiest ways you can make a difference this July:

• Swap plastic bags for reusable canvas tote bags
• Opt for a reusable water bottle rather than multiple plastic bottles
• Utilize a reusable straw or go straw-less
• Bring in your own reusable cup to coffee shops or cafes instead of using a disposable one

Plastic has been in use since 1907 and appears to be the go to material for just about everything. Contrary to popular belief, it is not recyclable or biodegradable. Instead, the material sits in a landfill. Eventually, the plastic breaks down into little particles that pollute our soil and ocean. All of the plastic that has been created and used over the past century is still here on Earth. The UN currently estimates that there has been 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced since the 1950s. With all the amount of plastic currently on our planet, it is no wonder that the plastic free and zero waste lifestyle choices have become so popular.

If you already cut out single-use plastic items and want to challenge yourself more this July, here are some other things you can do to reduce your plastic usage:

• Avoid buying prepacked items in grocery store, instead choose loose products, bonus points if you have reusable produce bags!
• Say no to take out and yes to dine in, and bring your own container in case you don't finish your meal
• Stop using bin liners/trash bags, dump your waste right into the bin or try composting.
• Say goodbye to plastic food wrap, utilize reusable containers or invest in beeswax wrap

Besides reducing the amount of disposable plastic items we use in a month, the ultimate goal of Plastic Free July is to break some of these wasteful habits that we are all guilty of. Whether we like it or not, the little choices we make every day add up. By making the smallest changes, you can make a massive difference. Hopefully, this month long challenge will help you to find eco-conscious alternatives that can become second nature to you. If you wish to join the challenge, sign up on Plastic Free July's website.