The Beginning of a Journey
This story begins with a horrifying image. An image of a dead albatross chick stripped to where you could clearly see its stomach contents: small plastic products we use every day. You may have seen this before, but the first time you see the amount of plastic, disposable plastic these birds have consumed mistaken for food and died because of it, you will never forget. This plastic lasts forever to kill and kill again.
Beth Terry will never forget it and it changed her life.
This story begins with one woman’s mission to change her life, change the world, by learning, teaching, blogging, and living without plastic. The story culminates, for now, with a book, Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too. Beth is an inspiration for all of us who seek to advocate change by living our ideals and now her book can inspire all who read it.
The Book: Plastic-Free
Those of you have read this blog for any amount of time know that bottled water, particularly the proposed Nestlé water bottling plant here in Oregon, is an issue I am deeply concerned about. as you can imagine, single use plastic water bottles are an issue for Beth as well.
“After giving up disposable plastic shopping bags, I decided that my next step would be to quit buying bottled water… I didn’t realize then how important this step would be. In the past few years, I’ve learned that the environmental impact from bottled water is about more than just the plastic bottle. But back then, it just seemed like an easy way to reduce my consumption of new plastic. The biggest challenge was remembering to bring my bottle.” Excerpted from Chapter 3 of Plastic-Free.
Beth delves into the myths bottled water companies would like for you to believe, but it is the last that strikes at the heart of the matter for me.
“Myth #4: Bottled Water Doesn’t Compete with Tap Water
Fact: Reliance on bottled water companies undermines our public water infrastructure. The International Bottled Water Association denies that bottled water competes with tap water (see citation in book). But the truth is when we divert money to bottled water corporations such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Nestlé, we spend less on the public water infrastructures that ensure all citizens have access to cheap, clean drinking water. Safe drinking water is a right that shouldn’t be reserved for those who can afford to buy bottled water. The organization Food & Water Watch is asking congress to establish a clean water trust fund to upgrade our public water systems. And in a recent survey, the organization found that 63 percent of U.S. voters favored funding the program with a one-cent per ounce tax on manufacturers of bottled water. Since many brands of bottled water actually come from municipal sources (despite the pictures on the label), I think such a tax would be a great way to transfer some of those profits back to communities where the water came from to begin with!” Excerpted from Chapter 3 of Plastic-Free.
I wholeheartedly agree. Beth goes on in the rest of that chapter to give wonderful suggestions for those who are ready to ditch the disposables and move away from bottled water. Practical steps for anyone ready to make one change…
Read the Book
There is so much information in this book (resources, suggestions, tips, anecdotes), all of which is incredibly accessible, that I really encourage you to all give it a read. It will change your perspective. You may not go plastic-free, but the next time you reach for that plastic produce bag, disposable water bottle, or plastic straw, maybe you will think twice. And you know what? That is how we change the world.
This physical book is so special (besides the content of course) is because it was created with plastic-free principles. Skyhorse Publishing Company produced Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too without any plastic materials, including plastic glue, coatings, or even synthetic thread! It is even compostable once it reaches the end of its life. Ordering from BuyGreen ensures it will also ship with no plastic packaging. The book is also available for Kindle
Win the Book
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There are many other wonderful green bloggers who are participating in the Plastic-free Blog Tour and I encourage you to check them all out. Find reviews, interviews, and other excerpts…
I was inspired by Beth on twitter and am making more changes to reduce our use of plastics. This book is on my to-read list. Thanks :)
I want to help save the world in my own little way. I’d love to read a book written by someone who shares the same passion… =)
Cham Cuartero recently posted..How An Affair Can Actually Strengthen Your Marriage (Oh Yes, It Can!)
Another Bottled Water Myth? That it’s safer & healthier than other types of water, including tap, all the time…
Cham Cuartero recently posted..How An Affair Can Actually Strengthen Your Marriage (Oh Yes, It Can!)
I want to win because I’m curious about how my family could go plastic free.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
I followed the link and watched Beth’s TED talk. I’m sold! Thanks for the review, quite inspiring.
Kirsten recently posted..What’s So Special About Sprouted Wheat?
Oh I would love to win this book! After reading Garbology, this is right up my alley!
Thank you for hosting this giveaway. :)
It looks like a book that would hold my attention.
I’m always trying to find ways to reduce my trash use.
I’d like to win this to get more ideas about going plastic free.
I want to win because I use A LOT of plastics and I want to use less and get away from it all eventually. I think this book will be a great read, inspiring me and my family.
I’ve heard that if you leave bottled water in a warm car it can cause cancer. This was sent in a mass email, not sure if its true or not…
This sounds fascinating- I’d love to read it!
I would love to win because i would love any ideas and tips on how to change our habits and I think my kids would love it also.
Kelli Avery recently posted..#CreativityforKids in home party!!
one myth I know about bottle water is that not all bottled water is safe, some spring waters are nothing more than a company who is on a spring fed well, calling spring water. It is not purified or anything, just chilled and bottled.
Kelli Avery recently posted..@TinyPrints Back to School #Giveaway!! 8/21 – 9/03
We’ve made a lot of strides in decreasing our environmental impact in our diets (vegan, mostly organic, local whenever possible) and are interested in carrying that over into other areas of our family life.
Samantha Remington recently posted..Vegan Disney World
Wow that is so funny you are highlighting this book! Another green blog I read just did the same thing.
My question for you, Brenna is how do you incorporate living plastic free in your home? Do you ever offer plastic utensils, cups or bottled drinks at family gatherings or bbq’s? I’d love to get away from that habit.
I would love to win this book because It seems like a book that would help my family with going plastic free.
Ashley H (@SouthnPurpleVeg) recently posted..I apologize
I want to win because I would love to live a plastic-free lifestyle and this might be the kick in the pants I need! :)
I would love to win this book because while I have changed from plastic to glass storage containers, I cannot seem to stop using ziplocks and other like plastic items. I would love to learn to be plastic free!
It is such a myth that bottled water is healthy! Water that sits in a plastic bottle in the car can become toxic, so it is important not to drink bottled water that has been in the sun!
I try to recycle stuff
I have been trying to go plastic free and think this bok would be able to help me go all the way!
I’ve been researching how to get rid of the plastic in our home, this would be a great kick start for us!
Gretchen recently posted..5 Secret Grocery Store Tricks and How to Avoid Them.
I enjoy reading the authors blog and think the book would be very informational.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
One myth is that it is better than tap water. This isn’t true. I know a local company that just bottles our municiple tap water and sells it. There is nothing different about it.
I’m curious about the idea of being plastic-free…it seems pretty difficult to do!
would love to learn how to reduce plastic in my familyl
I want to win because I’m doing everything I can do to be plastic free. So I think this book will help me do that. I’ve seen what plastic does to sea creatures and it’s horrible.Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win! :)
The myth of bottled water that it’s filtered is a load of crap because it’s not. People who know better do better as Oprah says :)
I would love this because my boyfriend and I are big environmental advocates and try our best to avoid plastics. We’re always looking for new ways!
I’d love to read this book. I recycle EVERYTHING that I can! I’m a real tree hugger! Thanks for the chance to win.
I got an e-mail last year talking about how, if left in a hot car, bottled water can cause cancer. We looked it up on a popular website only to find that it is NOT true.
Thanks for the great tips from your Going Green post. I’m always looking for ways to stay green. (not to mention that my favorite color is green!)
I’m so glad I found your site. I will bookmark it and come back to it all the time!!
I’d love to learn more about ridding my household of plastic.
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