The average American generates about 100 pounds of plastic waste a year. So did Beth Terry, until she read an article about plastic pollution in the oceans and saw a photograph of a dead albatross chick carcass filled with plastic products. Making the connection that her actions were harming a creature she never knew existed, she resolved to live a plastic free life. From January to November 2010, she generated less than 2 pounds of plastic waste.

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  • Cathy

    Beth did something extremely different than the norm, and did it in a way that shows passion, leadership and that we can make this world better within a few years. She was able to make it a complete win, rather than a scold that alienates the exact people you want to reach.

  • Dushyant Parikh

    Inspiring. I was in HK, know US and live in India. Indians recycle, reuse and reuse till it cannot be used....unfortunately generic American thinking is on consumption=GDP...which needs to change. In fact Asia is also getting inspired by these wrong thought and that is unfortunate.

  • Rubina

    Not only is she inspiring, she's also so down-to-earth and effortlessly articulate that you can't help but listen to her and like her. The Brita water filters are collected by a fabulous U.S. company called Preserve Products. They collect, recycle, and repurpose #5 plastics such as Brita water filters. There might be bins in grocery stores near you (but alas, not near me in Canada)! Their website: http://www.preserveproducts.com/

  • Pamela Lee

    I love her enthusiasm, dedication and eagerness to be the change. That first image of the albatross is certainly going to make me think whenever I shop for now on - it's an image that will always be embedded in my mind. I'm thankful for the awakening.

  • Jill Rankin

    She is so inspiring and the Brita story was amazing!

  • Travis

    I love the brita filter story! Way to go getting Chlorox to recycle them in the US.

  • Page 1

  • Visit Beth Terry's blog: My Plastic-free Life for tips on reducing the plastic in your life.
  • Learn about the pros and cons of biodegradable "plastics" made from corn, hemp and even chicken feathers.  Yes, chicken feathers.
  • Does a product you use frequently come wrapped in plastic?  Write to the manufacturer and ask them to use eco-friendly packaging.

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