Hi everyone!

I drink coffee everyday. Sometimes, I drink two to three cups a day (I know, a bit concerning considering my age, but still, I’m okay).

I watched this incredible documentary on Netflix about plastic in the ocean; coincidentally, it’s called A Plastic Ocean. Originally, I started the film in my environmental science class, but it intrigued me so much that I wanted to finish it at home.

Please watch the film! It is awesomely interesting. I think that one of the most surprising aspects of the film was that the fish consume a lot of plastic. These pieces of plastics then release toxins that go into their bloodstream and skin. And then, humans eat these plastic toxins, too, when we consume fish. It’s a huge cycle of never-ending plastic.

These pieces of plastics then release toxins that go into their bloodstream and skin. And then, humans eat these plastic toxins, too, when we consume fish. It’s a huge cycle of never-ending plastic.

Like I said before, I am a heavy coffee drinker. Going to coffeeshops to get an afternoon pick-me-up is one of my favorite things to do. Yet, I realized that I waste so much plastic every time that I take a plastic cup, lid, and straw (straw? consider using a reusable one; check out my latest post about it!).

Bring your own tumbler

It may seem really weird. I completely understand. All you have to do is ask the barista or cashier (whichever is taking your order), if they do not mind taking your tumbler to make your drink. When I did this, it totally worked out!

Now, I completely understand the scary part of asking people to use your reusable tumbler: what if the barista says no? What if they think that I’m being extra (extra meaning being either overdramatic or making things more complicated than should be)? Don’t worry! You’re doing the brave thing and the right thing. 😉

Just try it! I asked my local Starbucks and bubble tea shop to make their drinks in my tumbler and they totally understood and did it perfectly! By the way, the Dragon refresher at Starbucks is super tasty! It was perfect being able to that ice-cold drink, sipping away with my bamboo straw (straw courtesy of a National Geographic kiosk at the National Book Festival), and writing away on that hot summer afternoon.

If you forget to, no worries! Here’s what you can do:

• A few coffeeshops actually have biodegradable cups and straws. You may just have to ask for these things specifically when you order. It’s awesome! In D.C., the Starbucks tend to have biodegradable straws.
• If they give it you in a plastic cup, you can return the lid and leave behind the straw. Just drinking the awesome drink without these things reduces two pieces of plastic around.
• If you have to take the whole plastic package (Which is totally okay! This happens!), try to reuse these plastic items. For example, wash the plastic Starbucks cup and keep in your office for another purpose when you want to go Starbucks again, or something similar. Reusing for the win! 🙂

 

These really small changes might feel bothersome but they are so worth it. The New York Times brought up this incredibly sad article about the gradual decrease of biodiversity within species. There is a continual extinction of a variety of species all around the world; The NYTimes estimated approximately a million.

We each can’t do everything, but each individual’s small changes will have a profound effect on our planet’s well-being.

We each can’t do everything, but each individual’s small changes will have a profound effect on our planet’s well-being. I greatly encourage you to reduce your plastic, and watch A Plastic Ocean on Netflix! It’s incredibly eye-opening and something that everyone deserves a chance to learn about.

Talk to you all soon!

Quote of the Post: “Do not give up, the beginning is always the hardest.”

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