Plastic Free Gulf Coast helping find alternatives to single-use plastic

Local group Plastic Free Gulf Coast was started over three years ago by community leaders in Bay St. Louis with the simple promise to ‘skip the straw.’

Now the group has expanded its efforts and mission to help others find alternatives to reduce single-use plastics within our daily lives.

Earlier today, News 25 met with a coordinator to see examples of plastic free alternatives. The group recommends evaluating your day-to-day routine and seeing where you can make cut backs in your plastic usage.

Using reusable coffee cups, food storage containers, and shopping bags are a few suggestions.

Buying 100 percent plastic free items like toothbrushes or deodorant instead, they normally last longer which will save you money in the long run. Plastic Free Gulf Coast Coordinator Elizabeth Englebreston said, “I want people to really think about the way they can eliminate plastics, how they can make small changes that will have big effects. It’s not all or nothing, we just need people to try and do the best you can. It can be really overwhelming.”

Another way to reduce single-use plastics is by participating in the ‘Skip the Stuff’ campaign.

When you’re ordering takeout, tell the restaurant not to give you plastic utensils or ketchup packages and use your own from home instead.