Saturday, May 9

Welcome to Your Daily Dot where Dot will share tips, advice, and stories on how we can make our world better.

Dear Dot,

Can plastics recyclers be trusted to do what they say? Or are they just taking our money and ditching the plastics sent in to them? 

– Judith

Dear Dot, 

How/where can someone recycle plastic items that the NYC Dept. of Sanitation does not accept, such as plastic bags from sliced bread, plastic bubble mailers, and plastic film coverings? CVS, Trader Joe’s, and Target sometimes have recycling bins for these plastics, but they are inconsistently available and often filled with regular trash. Thank you for your assistance!

– Pat

Dear Dot,

What should we use as freezer containers now that we fear our old plastic ones? And what should we do with the old stacks of said containers? I have dozens. Thank you for your help.

– Kathleen

Dear Dot,

This whole area of Florida just doesn’t seem to know or care about the plastic crisis. I’m usually the only one in the grocery store with reusable bags. Plastic bags are flying around the parking lots. It’s shocking how many people have no concern or knowledge about what plastic is doing to our world. I’ve heard many people who don’t recycle at all or add non-recyclables to their bins say “Not much gets recycled — it’s a liberal scam.” What’s true and what’s not? 

– nevrinwinter

Dear Dot, 

I am trying my best to not buy plastic. However, it’s impossible to buy vegetables that don’t come in big plastic clam shells. I tried to buy [other items] in glass bottles, and that’s almost impossible. I would appreciate any advice or direction you can give me.

– Amber

Dear Pat, Judith, Kathleen, nevrinwinter, Amber, and so, so many others,

If there is one question that Dot is most consistently asked, it is this: How can I avoid plastic? (With the corollary question: What do I do with all the plastic I already have?) And though Dot has addressed a number of questions about plastic (compostable vs. biodegradable? Microplastics in our bodies?), it’s worth revisiting the topic. 

Which is exactly what Dot does, including offering straightforward ways to minimize the plastic in your life. Keep reading.

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