Dear Front Rangers >> Ahh, July — time for fireworks, warm evening walks, and cooling off with watermelon. It’s also a great time for ditching plastic. That’s right — it’s Plastic Free July, a global movement inviting us to take a closer look at our daily plastic habits and support efforts to tackle the global plastic pollution crisis.

You might already carry a reusable water bottle, say “no thanks” to plastic utensils, or bring your own bags to the grocery store. If you’re wondering whether it’s enough to make a dent, you’re not alone. The truth is, we’re up against a massive system: over 430 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, most of it designed to be used once and tossed. In the U.S., we only recycle about 5% of the plastic we use, either due to a lack of access or because most plastic wasn’t designed to be recycled in the first place.

We need to reduce single-use plastic production through systemic change. But while we work toward that goal, your individual actions still matter—for driving broader change and protecting your health.

Here are a few things you can do right now to reduce plastic in your life:

• Reuse your liquid soap bottles (like dish soap) and refill at a reuse/refill store. Try unpackaged soap bars for body or hair care.

• Use reusable cloth or silicone bags, or beeswax sheets, instead of plastic sandwich bags or plastic wrap.

• Buy dry goods like grains and beans in bulk and refill your own containers.

• Choose recyclable materials like glass and aluminum over low-value, hard-to-recycle plastic.

• Swap car trips with biking or walking — car tires are a major source of nanoplastics in the environment.

Find more plastic-reducing strategies at ecocycle.org.

Plastic waste reduction takes more than individual action. If you’d like to get more engaged, check out these local Plastic Free July opportunities:

Wednesday, July 9, 7-7:30 p.m. >> Join Longmont’s Sustainability Office for Plastic Free July: Rethink Reuse at the Longmont Museum. The event includes community resource tabling and a panel discussion on reuse with Boulder County, Sustainable Resilient Longmont, Eco-Cycle, Green Girl Recycling, Vulture Collective, and more.

Boulder Plastic Count >> Help track community plastic habits by logging your plastic use for one week. Participants can win prizes! Learn more and sign up at bouldercolorado.gov/boulder-plastic-count.

Plastic Free July is a great time to start reducing plastics — or to take your efforts one step further. If you have questions or want help along the way, Eco-Tip is here for you.

— Eco-Monkey

— Got Zero Waste questions? Email Eco-Cycle at recycle@ecocycle.org or call 303-444-6634.