There has always been a close relationship between my faith and my responsibility to care for Earth. Maybe the connection flourished on those family camping trips or perhaps in elementary school or Brownie Scouts, but the idea of the earth as God’s gift to us and our job to care for it predates any formal religious training. However, my marching orders come from the Bible and John Wesley. Good thing I’m United Methodist! 

Most of the time, being a generalist works well for me, but the care of creation is such an overwhelming area of concern that I needed to focus. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC is one of the most serious issues the world faces and it’s getting worse every day. Fortunately, this “elephant in the room” is a problem we can address at every level from individual efforts to national and international legislation. 

Like accepting one’s addictions, a painful but necessary part of grasping the plastics problem is to take an inventory. We did that in our household. Here are some ideas for you that I gained from our experience:

  • Have you ever saved all the plastic packaging you bring home for a month including take-out food/drink containers, bags, and packaging? That was an eye-opener for us! 
  • What kind of cleansers do you use in your home and how are they packaged? How do you dispose of the packaging when the cleansers are used? Could you reduce or reuse this plastic? We’ve found some alternatives that don’t use plastic at all.
  • Have you ever refused a straw or Styrofoam packaging in a store or restaurant? How comfortable are you speaking to companies, store managers, or waiters about their use of plastic in their establishments? Have you ever congratulated a store or restaurant on their decisions regarding their packaging? I’m getting better at this.
  • When you throw away plastic, do you know where it is goes? Too often it ends up in the oceans or landfills. Guilt is an excellent motivator when you can choose an alternative behavior. The more I’ve learned the more willing I am to avoid plastic whenever I can.

The recognition of how much we personally were contributing to the problem was hard. But we began asking, what else could we do as a family? Trying to make these changes all at once is overwhelming, but doing them incrementally and intentionally is possible. Here are some things I’ve done over several years to make a difference. I share them with you as tips:

  • At the grocery store, take your own bags. Whenever possible, choose produce that is not packaged.
  • Carry a reusable water bottle. Purchase drinks in aluminum cans rather than plastic. Aluminum recycles well.
  • For shopping anywhere, carry your own bags. Or if you are buying only a few items, simply carry them out in hand. Politely tell the clerk you are avoiding single-use plastic. I’ve found many employees agree with me when I say something and tell me they are happy to report my thoughts to the management.
  • Be sure to congratulate those businesses that use recyclable or compostable materials and let them know if it figures into your decision to give them your business. Currently, I’m trying to get up the courage to express my disappointment when businesses use Styrofoam—ugh! 
  • Wash lightly used zippered plastic bags. When I started thinking of the washing procedure as a spiritual practice, it became easier! On a practical note, don’t try to reuse bags that have held meat products, and I add 5–10% bleach in the rinse water to be sure the germs are really gone.  
  • Change to household cleaning products that don’t use plastic packaging.  www.blueland.comwww.grove.comwww.tru.earth.com are a few online sources. 
  • For Christmas or other occasions, try to give gifts that aren’t wrapped in or made of plastic.
  • Join a local or state organization that addresses sustainable living issues and climate change. There are many international, national, and local groups.
  • Let your local and state representatives know that you support a ban of single-use plastic. Point out the financial reasons for supporting the move. Money talks and you will be opposed by industry lobbyists who spend lots of money to support plastic manufacturers. But, speak up.

Write your Senators and Representatives about the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act 2021.

Whew, I never realized I’d gotten so immersed in this whole plastics issue! Writing this article has helped me see what changes I’ve made and how easy they are when they become habits! We can make a significant difference and promote grass roots change!

Anita Schmid, a retired high school counselor, is a lifelong learner—especially when it comes to caring for our environment. She also puts what she has learned into action as a dedicated member of West End UMC’s Creation Care Committee in Nashville.