World Ocean Day!

Today is #worloceanday 💙 

Even though there are no oceans in our great state (sorry, Lake Superior doesn’t count!), we are still dependent on, and affected by, the world’s oceans and their health. At MNIMALIST, we are committed to a minimal impact lifestyle and ask for your support in doing all we can to support our oceans and marine life.

Approximately 4 billion pounds of trash are dumped into our oceans annually. If nothing changes, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.  About 50% of the plastic we use is single-use so making simple changes can drastically reduce the amount of plastic pollution we produce.

What can we do to reduce our plastic footprints?

1. Refuse. The simplest way to reduce your plastic waste is to turn down single-use plastics when offered.

• Straws. Ask for a reusable or biodegradable alternative. Or carry your own reusable straw!
• Plastic bags. Keep reusable bags in convenient places so you won’t forget them when needed. 
• Coffee cups. ☕️ Use your own refillable coffee cup. 
• Plastic cups. Carry a reusable water bottle with you. This can also help you drink more water throughout the day water 💦 
• Reduce: The next step is to think about ways we can reduce the plastics we use everyday. Buy boxes instead of bottles- many items like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic. Purchase food from bulk bins when possible. Make your own cleaning products that are less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic containers of cleaning solution. Companies like Minnesota’s own Branch Basics are making refillable cleaning solutions that can make a big impact on the amount of plastics you use and create a more non-toxic environment in your household. 
• Recycle: Learn what you can and can’t recycle, and always try to buy items made from recycled materials whenever possible. Check your county’s website for local recycling guides. Recycling Association of Minnesota has some great resources on their website as well. 
• Educate yourself and others. A great introduction to this topic is the documentary “A Plastic Ocean” currently on Netflix. It’s an eye-opening and informative watch that is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. 

What tips do you have to help reduce our plastic impact? Leave your suggestions in the comments below.  Happy World Oceans Day!

#startalittlegood #oneoceanfoundation #savetheocean #savetheplanet #recyclereducereuse #sustainableliving #savetheenvironment #keepouroceansclean #plasticfreeoceans #oceanconservation #recyclenow #sustainablefashion

UPDATE: for some additional insight and tips, check out this great blog post from our Sustainability vendor, Recover Brands, with some great sustainability tips from a busy mom on the go.