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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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Plastic Reduction at the Restaurant

5/21/2019

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We often associate plastic waste with to-go dining, but there can also be plastic waste generated while dining-in at restaurants. Keep reading to learn some simple plastic-reduction solutions for dining in at your favorite restaurant!

Straws
Regardless of where you go, you can pretty much expect plastic straws to be offered. The first step is refuse, by telling your server you do not care for a straw with your drink. If you enjoy using straws, you can bring your own alternative straw. Metal, glass or bamboo straws are available locally and can be ordered online.

Plastic Utensils
If you are dining at a quick, casual restaurant, there is a possibility that plastic silverware will be offered. Try to come to these restaurants prepared with reusable bamboo or metal silverware, or ask if they have metal silverware you can use.
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​Dining with Kids
When dining out with children, consider the plastic that may come with their order. Often times kid’s beverages come in a plastic cup with a straw. An easy first-step would be to ask your server to not bring straws for their cups. One step further would be to bring your own clean, kid-friendly cup, and request the server fill your cups from home with their drinks.
Bottled Water
Choose tap water over bottled water when given the choice. This eliminates the use of a single-use plastic water bottle AND saves money on your bill. Besides, typically tap water is the same or higher quality than what is found in bottled water.

Leftovers
If you think you might have leftovers, grab a reusable container from your home to bring to the restaurant. By coming prepared, you are not forced to decide between leaving your leftovers at the restaurant and taking a single-use to-go container home with you.
​

Vote With Your Dollar
​
Some restaurants are already taking steps to a plastic-free dining room, by stocking compostable single-use products, not offering straws, and other waste-reduction strategies such as composting food waste and using renewable energy. Do your research to find out which businesses in your community are already taking the steps to be environmentally responsible and plastic-free, and support these businesses!
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Sincerely,
Julia Krebs-Moberg
Waste Reduction Education Coordinator
Asheville GreenWorks
AmeriCorps Project Conserve

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    Staff from Asheville GreenWorks, volunteers from the Plastic Reduction Task Force, as well as other guest writers who are advocates and friends.

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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.
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration >
        • Pollinator Photo Contest
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
    • Education
    • Urban Forestry >
      • Cool Green Asheville
      • Adopt-a-Spot
      • Food Tree Project
      • RRI
      • Tree Nursery
      • Treasured Trees >
        • Treasured Trees Calendar
    • Waste Reduction >
      • Asheville Bag Monster
      • Composting Information
      • Flip Your Lid
      • Hard 2 Recycle
      • 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
    • Contact Us
    • Job Openings
    • History
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Blog Roll
    • Latest News
    • Protect our Pollinators
    • Voice for the Trees
    • Mind Your Plastic May
    • Fall Leaves