I recently read about a global movement called Plastic Free July, that is challenging others to reduce single use plastic waste. It got me thinking about how hard it may be for families to remember everything they need for each specific trip out of the house. Will you be eating out and need a plastic straw alternative? Will the kids need some snacks, and you want to avoid plastic packaging? What about utensils and wipes? So I decided to put together a to-go bag that has all the basic essentials to help families avoid single use plastic waste. That way, for every trip out of the house, you just grab the bag and go!
Below are 5 things that you need to make your plastic free to-go bag:
 | 1. A Bag |
Okay, so this one seems simple, right? Of course you need a bag to carry everything in, but why not choose one that's appealing to the kids? Has there been times where your child wouldn't leave the house unless they had that certain toy? You can use the same concept with choosing a bag so that they will help you remember to grab it for every trip out of the house.
 | 2. Cups/Straws |
I feel like this is the most important thing to have in your bag! Each day plastic straws make up about 3 million pounds of trash in the United States alone. That's insane! You can help put a stop to it by bringing a few alternatives. Silicone sippy lids are great to fit on top of any cup. Bringing reusable bottles can come in handy when you need something to drink, and want to avoid plastic bottles. It also saves you money! Make sure you also have a cup and a straw for every family member. Reusable straws can be made of silicone, glass, stainless steel, or bamboo; but my kid's love the colors of silicone straws! Did you know that when silicone is burned it reverts back into its harmless ingredients (amorphous silica, carbon dioxide, and water vapor), unlike plastic which releases toxins and litters the seas? Make sure to recycle silicone properly when you're done with it though.
 | 3. Utensils |
How many times have you eaten out at a restaurant and been handed plastic utensils? You should have a utensils set for every family member, just like the cups and straws. I personally like to have them in a little box, so you can pack them up after you are done eating and bring them home to wash without getting anything else dirty. They can also come in handy for picnics at the park!
 | 4. Containers for Snacks |
"Mom, I'm hungry!" I can't even count how many times I hear this per day. Pack a few snacks to bring with you and avoid plastic packaging! Chemicals from plastic can also leach into your food. There are many types of containers that are safe, and in a variety of sizes. I've seen containers made of silicone, bee's wrap, fabric, and stainless steel. You can also bring an empty container with you when you eat out and take home food leftovers in it. Don't forget about a reusable baby food pouch for the littlest one!
 | 5. Wipes/Napkins |
Wet wipes contain plastic too! Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. Some wipes contain plastic fibers for extra strength, and let's not forget that they are all packaged in plastic. Wet wipes are also commonly flushed down the toilet, which is a huge problem. Think about how many containers of wipes you've went through in just this past week alone. Kids can be messy, but that's a lot of plastic! You can make your own wipes with cloth and store them in a (non plastic) container. Bring an extra container with you to store the dirty ones in so you can wash them when you get home!
All of the items mentioned above can be bought locally at reBlossom.
