August: Plastic-Free Week

This month's Take Action challenge is a bit late, because it's a doozy. In fact, I doubt that either of us will actually be able to succeed. So who's up for an impossible task?

We talk a lot about the impact of plastic here on the blog - its seemingly eternal life, its ubiquity, its quantity. Any way you shape it, plastic is a problem. Of course, solving the plastic problem is simple; simple, and super freaking difficult.

The best way to put a dent in the plastic problem is simply to use less of it.

Think about that, and you'll begin to see what an impossible task it is. Plastic is everywhere - in your medicine cabinet, in your closet, in the kitchen, at the office vending machine. Reducing your use of it requires some dramatic habit change.

So that is your August challenge - for one week, try not to use any plastic*.

Remember, the focus here is in awareness and habit change. Pay attention to the plastic you use every day, and make note of the ways that your habits have to change to accommodate your new no-plastic lifestyle. Hopefully after one week, you'll find that eliminating most of the plastic in your life isn't as difficult as you once thought.

Good luck! I'm excited to hear how your plastic-free week changes your life!

Tips for your Plastic-Free Week:

• Going Plastic-Free For a Week with Food 52

• 9 Ways to Cut Down on Plastic

• Plastic-Free Beauty

*No need to throw out every plastic item in your house. For the plastic-free week, focus on not making any new purchases that contain plastic.