Where are you on your plastic free journey?
It’s a question we’ve asked every single Final squad member before joining the team. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve reduced your annual waste to fit inside a mason jar, there’s truly no wrong answer. We’ve found that our squad members approach the plastic waste conundrum in ways that are as diverse and creative as they are. At Final we love and appreciate our employees because they #suckresponsibly 24/7!
So, to celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, we decided to share 12 tips and tricks that Final employees have enjoyed using on their plastic free journeys!
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I’ve made a habit of shopping locally, buying in bulk, eating less meat and dairy, and purchasing used clothes or repairing what I already have instead of buying new! - Alejandra Cromer, Director of Wholesale
- I always have reusable bags in my car, use glass or silicone food storage containers when purchasing food, and say no to plastic straws and cutlery when eating out. - Andi Janicki, Customer Success Manager
- I really like to sew and make my own bulk bags or grocery bags. I also love to reuse old clothes so I can give them a new life! - Carolina Nino, Graphic Designer
- The easiest way to reduce waste is to know what you are throwing away. Anytime I am trying to minimize my impact, I look in my trash and identify one item that there is a lot of. When I recently did this with paper towels and made the switch to rags, the volume decreased dramatically! - Emma Rose Cohen, CEO and Founder
- I have a huge sweet tooth, but baked goods and candy are often wrapped in plastic. Luckily, I love to bake and many ingredients can be found in paper, glass, or aluminum packaging at the grocery store. Depending on where you shop, some are also available in the bulk section! - Haley Jain Haggerstone, Brand Partnerships and Education
- My youngest daughter has a very strong sense of her own style and gets a thrill from thrifting for just the right items to complete her look. I love that we can spend time together combing through racks and that we bond over finding a hidden treasure. - Jenna McCarron, Chief of Staff
- The first time I went grocery shopping with the goal of avoiding single-use plastic, I felt like I was on a game show in the early 2000s (Supermarket Sweep anyone?)! It’s not easy, but I’ve learned a lot! I like to grab fresh bread and throw it in my reusable bag and I get cheese cut at the counter and bring it home in a Stasher bag. - Kari Iverson-Sechi, Director of Public Relations
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In our household, everything that can be composted is composted and everything that can be recycled is recycled. We love reusable bags and when they are not an option then our paper bags are repurposed for yard work!
- Kelly Frazier, Director of Legal and Finance - When I go grocery shopping, I shop for fresh produce that is not packaged in plastic, buy whatever I can in bulk, and I try to purchase only what I need to limit food waste. Next on my journey, I’m going to start making my own oat milk with bulk, package-free oats! - Leah Grubb, Director of Marketing
- I use 5-gallon refillable filtered water containers and bring a reusable water bottle with me wherever I go! Eliminating single-use water bottles from my life has caused a domino effect and helped me reduce my plastic consumption in other areas of my life too. - Madison Conradis, Brand Protection
- I bring my own to-go containers when I go out to eat and a reusable cup when I head to coffee and smoothie shops. - Matt Hantke, Product Development
- I carry my reusable bag in one hand and my light blue Hydro Flask in the other. I always try to commute to school either by walking or catching the bus to decrease my eco footprint! - Udval Tsolmonkhuu, Customer Success