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30 Day Challenge: Ditch the Straw

5/31/2019

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Picture
Blue Friday 2018 in Shelter Cover, NJ

What's the Deal?

If you're reading this blog, chances are you're already familiar with the major plastic problem we are currently facing. In the event that you aren't aware, here are some fast facts for you:
  • Most plastic straws are photodegradable, not biodegradable (they break down to very small plastics, easily consumed by wildlife and marine life)
  • There is an estimated 500 million straws used per day by Americans
  • Studies on BPA have been linked to hormonal disruption, increased breast and prostate cancer cell growth, and early onset puberty and obesity (simplystraws.com)
  • Most plastic straws cannot be recycled and will end up in landfill
  • Research is already showing plastic in sea salt, 94% of US tap water, and shellfish (strawlessocean.org)
  • By the year 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish
  • Scientists have done studies showing death of baby sea turtles is likely a direct relation to consumption of plastic, threatening their survival  (strawlessocean.org)

Back to the Challenge

Now that you get the general idea (PLASTIC STRAWS ARE TERRIBLE), it's time for the challenge. For the month of June, I challenge you to say no to the plastic straw. Period. It's as simple as that. Well, it should be. 

Many people use straws to protect their teeth, to stir their cocktails, etc. and I fully support that! Which makes the choice simple:
                    buy a reusable straw or simply say no.
This means not taking one at Wawa, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, the movie theater. It means when you order a cocktail at your local bar, a glass of water, an iced tea, say "with no straw, please." I guarantee you that 99% of the time you order a drink at any of these places, you will automatically receive a pre-opened straw. Saying no to the straw starts a conversation, it gets people thinking, whether they realize it or not. 

What to Look For in Reusable Straws

  • Durability
  • BPA free
  • Glass
  • Stainless steel
  • If ordering online, be mindful of the shipping packaging. There's not much worse than ordering a reusable straw and having it shipped in disposable plastic!

Simply Straws

I absolutely LOVE my Simply Straw straws! They are a B Certified corporation*, mother-daughter duo, and member of 1% For the Planet. They not only sell reusable straws, but reusable straw sleeves made of fair-trade hemp, flax, and organic cotton. Their packaging materials are fully compostable and all of their web hosting and printing is powered by eco energy (did you even know that was a thing?! I certainly didn't.)
I hope you'll join me on the first Conscious Living challenge this June! Let me know in the Facebook group how many times you've had to say "no thank you" to a straw. 

- jamie

Promo: HONEYHONEY20 (for 20% off!)

*"Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy." (bcorporation.net)
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Welcome

5/30/2019

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Welcome to the Conscious Living blog! I'm so happy you are here, reading, sharing, and learning with me. 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by thought that you need to completely change your lifestyle? Did you find yourself panicking after watching Lil Dicky's Earth video after all the laughing? Do you find yourself aimlessly scrolling through your feed thinking "wow! I love this person's lifestyle. They are KILLING it in sustainability, health, etc. Omg, I'm so far behind them. I'm too far gone. There's no hope."? Me. Freaking. Too. ​

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    Author

    Jamie is a musician, avid lover of nature, and a dog momma living a more sustainable life each and every day. 

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