Reduce Single Use Plastic

Single Use Plastic is a concern in the environment. Some communities are considering banning the use of some single use plastic, while others are adding nuisance fees. The City of Chicago charges seven cents per single-use bag. Oak Park changes ten cents. Some communities are also targeting plastic straws.

What can you do?

• Always use reusable bags when shopping.
• Consider taking reusable / refillable bottles and travel mugs with you and asking your favorite beverage outlets to fill them instead of giving you a single-use container.
• When eatting out, think ahead and bring a washable, reusable container for leftovers.
• Take the Will County "Skip the Straw" Pledge.

Why target the straw?

Over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used EACH DAY in the United States. Straws have become automatically added to drinks in restaurants, take-out situations, in daycares and nursing homes. In some cases, straws improve and enhance the drinking experience, as lids prevent our beverages from spilling. However, most are unnecessary and simply contribute to the waste stream.

How to take the "Skip the Straw" Pledge: 

Make a personal commitment to say "no" to plastic straws whenever they are offered (unless you truly need one). When you are in a situration where you can pick up a straw, simply don't take one. If given one by a server, politely return it or say, "no straw, please."

Send an email to us (copy and paste this into your email)

recycling@willcountygreen.com 

Subject: Skip the Straw

I, __________(fill in your name)________, pledge to reduce my use of straws either by drinking beverages without a straw or by finding a reusable alternative, such as a bamboo or steel straw.

Share your efforts with friends and family as well as on social media!