It’s Plastic-Free July!

Year round, Dear Summit is all about getting out and enjoying the wonders of nature, and sustainability is always a big part of that. But this month is the perfect time to put a little extra focus on the rising need to ditch the plastic we can so easily rely on. 

Why is plastic such a big deal?

Plastic objects never truly biodegrade, but over time they do break down into tiny (toxic) plastic particles called microplastics. These particles are so tiny that they end up in the soil, waterways (such as your favorite river, lake, ocean, or local municipal tap water), the air, and even in our food. Yep. Our food. These tiny particles are like sponges to toxic substances in the environment, and then when tiny creatures mistake them for food, those particles and the toxins they carry compound as they work their way up the food chain… and eventually into the food we buy at the supermarket. Not to mention the countless birds, fish, whales, and other animals which die along the way as their stomachs fill with plastic trash instead of real food. (Learn more about the problems with microplastics here.)

So, yes, these tiny plastic bits are a big problem.

But what about recycling, you ask? Unfortunately, a lot of plastics simply aren’t recyclable at all (even if your local recycler accepts them), and even those plastic types that can be recycled, most often are not recycled, but are still dumped into a landfill. Only 9% of plastic is ever actually recycled (source: National Geographic).

Recycling is definitely not the solution here. Stopping the plastic tide is the only option.

(This is also why I stopped selling vinyl stickers and switched to wooden stickers instead. I wrote all about it in this blog post.)

And hiking is no different.

Take a quick look at your stash of hiking gear and outdoor clothing (most technical fabrics are made of plastic, too, and that’s a whole other problem that I’ll tackle in a future post), and you’ll see what I mean. It’s not just the plastic things that end up in the trash that become polluting micro plastics, it’s also the tiny fibers which wear off of your gear every time they’re in use, too.

Just by taking plastic gear and synthetic plastic fabrics out into nature, we’re contributing to the plastic problem which is degrading our favorite places.

Ready to stop the microplastics tide?

I’ve gathered a quick list of five swaps to cut some of the plastic out of your hiking gear and reduce the negative impact of your adventures out on the trail. Take a look in your hiking pack and see what you can switch out today!

Ditch the Plastic Zip-Top Bags / Switch to Stasher Bags

Instead of stashing your your trail mix, first aid kit, or anything else, in a single-use zip-top baggie, switch to a durable and reusable silicone bag, like a Stasher bag. I made the switch several years ago, and I’ll never go back! Stasher bags may add a bit more weight to your backpack, but the difference is unnoticeable, especially with the knowledge that you’re making the more responsible choice instead of putting more plastic waste into the world with each use. And, these are so sturdy that you can cook in them, freeze them, and throw them in the dishwasher for endless possible uses.

Ditch the Disposable Plastic Water Bottle / Switch to a Reusable Water Bottle

Why are you still drinking overpriced water in crinkly plastic bottles?
Just about any reusable water bottle is better than continuing to buy and throw out disposable after disposable. Glass is one great plastic-free option, though it would be on the heavy end of the spectrum for hiking purposes. Aluminum is probably the winner at the lightweight end, but can sometimes leave a metallic taste in your water. Stainless Steel water bottles are my favorite middleground solution.

Personally, I am very happy with my Hydroflask. There’s nothing better than ice cold water while out on the trail, and the double-walled stainless steel keeps my water perfectly icy all day. Plus, it’s incredibly durable; I’ve dropped my hydroflask countless times over the four-plus years I’ve owned it, and it still looks (and works) great.

Ditch the Plastic Sunscreen Bottle / Switch to Plastic-Free Sunscreen

The problems with conventional sunscreen don’t end with the plastic bottles they’re packaged in, the problems lie with the ingredients. Many of the common ingredients found in sunscreen cause serious damage to marine life, such as Oxybenzone and nano-Zinc oxide, among others, can bleach and kill coral or cause infertility in fish (source: the National Ocean Service). These chemicals also accumulate in our own bodies and are not exactly safe for humans, either (source: The Wall Street Journal).

Fear not! There are some great - safe, and plastic-free - alternatives out there! I recently switched to Balm Baby Natural Sunscreen by Taylor’s Naturals, which is available in a small glass jar or cardboard tube, and I’m not going back to conventional sunscreens. It’s a little thicker, so it takes a tad longer to apply, but it works just as well, and I love how I don’t have to be worried about the ingredients on my skin or my kids’ skin, and I also don’t have to worry about disposing of yet another plastic container when it’s done.

Ditch the Tissues in Plastic Packaging / Switch to an Endlessly Useful Bandana

If you have seasonal allergies, like me, or you just like to be prepared, you likely carry one of those little packets of tissues with you wherever you go, including out on a hike. I propose you switch that out in favor of a cotton bandana; the bandana is not only awesome for blowing your nose, but also doubles as any number of other useful things: napkin, bandage, tourniquet, breathing mask (dry for pollen, wet for smoke), signal flag, or sling.
My favorite bandana is my Smokey Bear bandana from The Landmark Project.

Ditch the Snacks in Plastic Wrappers / Switch to Homemade Trail Snacks

One of the most difficult single-use plastic habits for me to break is the snack bar or granola bar habit. Man, I do enjoy a peanut butter chocolate chip Larabar. Those things are so easy and so tasty!
But, there are better options which will not only eliminate all those plastic wrappers, but also save money and ensure that you have control over all the ingredients, too: make your own snack bars or trail mix balls.

Two deliciously tempting recipes are:

Backpacker Bars, with oats, dried fruit, and nuts, from Hiking in My Flip Flops

Trail Mix Bliss Balls, completely customizable for limitless flavor possibilites, from Fresh Off the Grid

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