Ditch the plastic

There are a number of reasons to stop using plastic shopping bags, sandwich bags, straws, milk and drink bottles, “silverware” and so on. High on the list of reasons is the fact that there is simply too much plastic waste trashing our planet (including our oceans, where marine life is being choked and poisoned by it on a large scale).

Plastic, it should be pointed out, can only be recycled once, as opposed to metal and glass, which can be re-recycled over and over. So, switching to glass and metal containers is a good idea.

Milk can be found locally in glass bottles at Chico Natural Foods (818 Main St., 891-1713) and S&S Organic Produce & Natural Foods (1924 Mangrove Ave., 343-4930). Look at both stores for cloth sandwich and shopping bags and bamboo eating utensils as well.

Metal water bottles, such as those made by Klean Kanteen, can be found at a number of shops in Chico, including Collier Hardware (105 Broadway, 342-0195), Mountain Sports (176 E. Third St., 345-5011), as well as at both of our natural-foods stores.

Online eco-marketplace Ecobold offers a set of four reusable stainless-steel straws for $4.99 (http://tinyurl.com/metalstraw). Take one along next time you go to a restaurant.