Plastic is everywhere. Understandably, it can be one of the most difficult materials to recycle and it often pollutes the roads and waterways. However, the best way to reduce the effects of plastics on our environment is to reduce the use of plastic items altogether!
Throughout the month of July, a global movement is taking place where millions of people take the pledge to refuse to use single-use plastics. Notably, there are some individuals and organizations who have already made the decision to reduce single-use plastics year-round. Jacqueline and Dillon Tucker, who are also the owners of Mindful Merchant, a sustainable home goods store located in Cary, are two individuals who have already made a commitment to reducing plastic waste.
The pair said their dedication to sustainable habits wasn’t from a single lightbulb moment, but rather by slowly building up their waste reduction habits daily over the last couple decades. By the time they decided to open Mindful Merchant, they were ready to incorporate their personal habits into every aspect of their business.
Since day one, all Mindful Merchant products have been single-use plastic-free. But the pair took things a step further by reusing the cardboard boxes they receive to make their own store signage, price tags, business cards and gift cards. This has been one of the more unique ways they say they’re proud to reduce waste.
The Tuckers were thrilled to find so many local partners who were willing to remove or change their product packaging for them. They also found many national partners who were willing to do the same, even changing their shipping materials to be plastic-free!
The pair said they wish they’d discovered their insulated reusable mugs sooner. Not only do they avoid throwing away plastic cups and bottles, but their drinks stay ice cold or steaming hot for so much longer! They said they love whenever somebody comes into their store for the first time and they can see the lightbulb moment occurring where they realize they can refill their own containers from home instead of throwing them away and that reducing waste can be so simple!
When asked for one piece of advice to pass on to other residents and businesses who want to start making a change, Jacqueline said, “Start small! Make one little change that feels the easiest and stick with it. Once that becomes second nature, then try something else whenever you’re ready!”
A simple step they recommend for those who want to get started on reducing single-use plastics is to get a reusable shopping bag and reusable bottle or mug to keep by your door or in your car. So many coffee shops or restaurants will let you fill up your own cup if you ask, and telling the store to keep their bags because you got your own works every time!
“Something as simple as a person switching to reusable grocery bags or a restaurant only giving out plastic utensils when people ask for them rather than automatically tossing them in every to-go bag makes a BIG difference over time,” said Dillon.
The couple said they truly believe that it’s the little things that matter, because if everyone just picks one small thing and sticks with it, then big changes will happen!
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to solve all the world’s problems at once or to be perfect,” said Jacqueline. “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
