It’s no secret that plastic products litter our communities and pollute our waterways. In Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Litter Study, it was reported that there are over 61.9 million plastic items on Louisiana roadways, and plastic water bottles were found at 80 percent of the sites surveyed. According to Keep America Beautiful ‘s recent Litter Study, plastic also remains the largest litter category nationally, with more than 15 billion pieces found. You can make a difference by joining the Plastic Free July global movement and adopting behaviors to reduce plastic pollution.
Here are a few ways you can stop plastic litter and Let Louisiana Shine:
- Say no to plastic straws. Plastic straws are small, light, and non-biodegradable. They can easily be swept into the waterways, where they break down into microplastic particles. If you prefer using a straw, try a reusable option.
- Use a reusable water bottle. Disposable water bottles were the most common items found at community cleanups during KLB’s Love the Boot Week from 2022 to 2026. Invest in a quality reusable water bottle instead of purchasing single-use plastics.
- Use a reusable tote bag for shopping. Like plastic straws, plastic bags are lightweight and can be easily carried by the wind and water. Many organizations give away totes for free. Keep them in the trunk of your vehicle for trips to the grocery store.
- Choose items with less or no plastic packaging. Consider purchasing items that are not pre-packaged. If you are buying bulk nuts, granola, flour, and other loose products, many stores will have paper bags that you can fill. You can bring your own reusable produce bags, containers, and glass jars.
- Celebrate without plastic. Plastic balloons, confetti, and decor end up littering our environment and can harm fish and wildlife. Instead, choose fresh flowers, lanterns, and reusable decor.
- Recycle plastics. When you do use disposable plastic products, check to see if they can be recycled. Almost all plastic containers have numbers in or around the recycling triangle symbol. Containers with a #1 or #2 are the easiest to recycle and should be accepted by almost every recycler. Recycling services are different in each community. Check to see what’s available to you locally.
Want to do more?
You can get involved in your community by participating in a local cleanup, sharing about Plastic Free July on social media, and encouraging friends and family to join you on this mission! Also, make sure to check out Love Our Waterways, a new month-long waterway and shoreline cleanup initiative happening this September. We will be removing plastics and other types of litter from our waterways, and we need your help. Sign up at LoveLaWaterways.org.