Sustainable Westport is a strong proponent of recycling.
But there’s more to helping the environment than that. Our town’s environmental advocates say:
This Plastic-Free July we are shifting the spotlight – from what we can recycle to what we can simply refuse and reuse.
It’s not just about saying no to straws or remembering our reusable bags. It’s about reimagining our relationship with plastic altogether.
It’s easy to feel like the burden of change falls solely on our shoulders. But this month is a powerful reminder: Our choices can ripple outward and influence bigger systems.
When we choose to use less plastic — and not just recycle more — we send a clear message to businesses, governments and communities that a better way is possible.
Recycling is not enough. The real power lies in refusing plastic before it ever enters our homes.
Join us in starting small, and staying consistent: always bring a reusable water bottle, say no to takeaway cutlery as supported in Sustainable Westport’s Skip the Stuff program, buy bars of soap instead of liquid soap, and avoid pre-packaged fruits and vegetables.
Each swap is a step toward a world that produces less plastic and wastes less overall.
While these swaps may seem small, they matter now more than ever. Microplastics are everywhere — drifting through our oceans, our food, our soil and the air we breathe.
These tiny, often invisible fragments, escape recycling systems. When we say “no” to plastic from the start, we help stop the problem at its source.
Each plastic-free choice we make reduces the pollution we can’t always see, but that touches everything – from the natural world to our own health.
To dive deeper into this urgent issue, join us later this month for a special screening of Plastic People, a powerful documentary exploring the hidden impact of microplastics. It’s July 17, 6 p.m. at MoCA CT. Click here for details and tickets.
And remember: you’re not alone in this. Plastic-Free July is a global movement that empowers millions to take simple, meaningful steps toward reducing plastic waste for cleaner streets, oceans, and thriving communities. Let’s make this July the start of a shift – not just for one month, but for a lifetime.
Ready to get started with Plastic-Free July?
- Check out all the ideas for making plastic-free swaps here.
- Take the plastic-free pledge. People across the globe are choosing which single-use item they’ll pledge to refuse this July.
- Follow Sustainable Westport on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more plastic-free ideas this July, and beyond.
(Here’s another sustainability tip: Help “sustain” this hyper-local blog, by clicking here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Your support will help us grow — organically. Thank you!)
University of New Mexico have found microplastics in the human brain on autopsy at higher concentrations then other organs. This is a new finding.
It’s disheartening to see how few people bring reusable bags to the grocery store, or how someone will ask for a plastic bag for a single item that’s already wrapped in plastic. We all need to wake up.
Great piece. If there’s an elephant in our livingroom it might be artificial turf. Westport appears to have a strong affection for that product.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t hurt to stay familiar with all kinds of recycling, & remember that the guys at the Sherwood Island Connector Transfer Station are incredibly helpful.
https://www.recyclect.com
p.s. # 1, 2, & 3 plastics — the # in the triangle — ALL go in the single stream (your blue bin). # 4, 5, 6, & 7: recycling is more complicated … and/or pricey.
When you shop at Wegmans, for a small fee, you get a reusable canvas bag that you can use over and for years.
Jack, one of the reasons that you’re so well thought of is that when everyone else in Westport is cursing the darkness, you’re lighting a candle. I used to live in Rochester. I LOVE Wegman’s!!!
Contractor bags at the transfer station can be reused many times. Try this please. Instead of tossing the.black heavy duty bag into the hopper open the bag. Spill the contents into the hopper Shake the bag out and use the same bag over. it’s not hard
The gallons of the bag and mills of the bag are available to read. Contractor bags are very high in plastic contents. The higher the mill the more the plastic it contains. Reise the contractor bags. You will help out local environment and help reduce your costs to buy them.
Your content is bad and you should feel bad