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We are drowning in plastic.

From beauty products to grocery bags to water bottles to our daily cup of coffee, plastic is present in every aspect of our lives. Most of these items are designed to be used once and thrown away, usually heading to the landfill.

Some of the plastic that we think can be recycled, like drink lids, straws and utensils, end up in the landfill because they're either too difficult to recycle or there's no market for the end products. Even recyclable plastic such as water bottles are becoming harder to recycle.

The most effective approach to reducing our plastic waste is to REFUSE, REDUCE, and REUSE.

In January 2019, GreenWorks spearheaded the creation of the Plastics Reduction Task Force -- a group of motivated volunteers dedicated to reducing single-use plastic in our environment. 
​
Join the plastic-free movement and break free from the plastic ties that bind us.
Donate now for a plastic-free future
Mind Your Plastic May is meant to encourage and challenge us in our journey to live plastic free. These posts are created by GreenWorks staff, Plastic Reduction Task Force volunteers, and other plastic-free advocates in Buncombe County. If you've found these posts helpful and encouraging, please consider making a donation to support this work. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
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Bulk is Better

5/7/2019

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Bulk section at the French Broad Food Co-op
We live in a community that boasts several options for shopping in bulk (aka food without plastic, or plastic-sprayed paper packaging): Earth Fare, French Broad Food Co-Op, Whole Foods, West Village Market, Hopey, and even Ingles! While some of these markets are more expensive generally, bulk prices are cheaper than packaged and processed foods, so you’re sure to save $ if you make the shift and buy your boxed or packaged foods in bulk. We are currently saving hundreds of dollars per month shopping in bulk, and experiencing the feel-good lightness of making an environmental difference.

How exactly do I shop in bulk? Every store is a little bit different, but most will allow you to bring your own bulk bags, jars, or containers and re-fill them with your desired goods, diverting unnecessary trash from the landfill! Typically you’ll find a scale near the bulk aisle, where you can weigh your container and, using labels provided by the store, put your “Tare weight” on your bag or container. This way, cashiers can deduct the weight of your container from your purchase. When you shop in bulk, you are reducing waste and transport miles, buying just what you need, and decreasing the negative toll that the over-processed and packaged way of living has on our collective health.

What kind of food is available in bulk? Cereal and granola, grains (rice, oats, quinoa), beans of all shapes and sizes, nuts, pasta (gluten free and wheat), flours, dried fruit, coffee beans, oils and vinegars, tahini, nut butters, crackers, and of course, my favorite dessert, chocolate covered almonds! Visit Earth Fare Westgate or the French Broad Food Co-Op to check out their enormous bulk sections! You can also re-fill containers with bath and body items, like Dr. Bronner’s cleaning soaps, shampoo, conditioner, dishwashing detergent, at a store like the French Broad Food Co-Op. Making your own cleaning products is an affordable way and sustainable way to divert plastic from the landfill! We’ll save that email for another day!

Hilary Drake, Founder
​Mind Your Plastic
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​Asheville GreenWorks is a 501(c)3 non-profit environmental organization, governed by a Board of Directors. Established in 1973, GreenWorks mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize individuals and communities to take care of the places we love to live.
  • Hard 2 Recycle
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
    • Education
    • Urban Forestry >
      • Adopt-a-Spot
      • Cool Green Asheville
      • Food Tree Project
      • RRI
      • Tree Nursery
      • Treasured Trees >
        • Treasured Trees Calendar
    • Waste Reduction >
      • Asheville Bag Monster
      • Composting Information
      • Flip Your Lid
      • Plastics Reduction Task Force
      • Recycling Information
      • Smash Don't Trash
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Experiential Internships
    • Youth Environmental Leadership Program >
      • YELP Staff & Alumni
      • How to Apply
    • Make a Donation
    • Wish List
    • Sponsorship
  • Upcoming Events
  • About
    • Job Openings
    • History
    • Staff/ Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Blog Roll
    • Latest News
    • Protect our Pollinators
    • Voice for the Trees
    • Mind Your Plastic May
    • Fall Leaves
  • Donate