Book Nook: Say Goodbye to Plastic

We just celebrated Earth Day, but taking care of the planet isn't something that should be done just once a year. I had a chance to see a review copy of Say Goodbye to Plastic, an excellent primer and wonderful gift for anyone interested in finding practical and easy ways to mitigate their plastic use.

Written by Sandra Ann Harris, founder of ECOlunchbox, Say Goodbye to Plastic is an essential resource especially as the plastic pollution problem has only gotten worse during COVID as increased plastic trash threatens more wildlife.

This book is written for people who have heard about living plastic-free but haven't really learned much about it, or think that it won't fit their lifestyle. The book starts with a memoir-style description of the author's journey towards a more plastic-free lifestyle. It's organized by area of the house, so it's easy for people to focus on one area at a time without trying to make a huge overhaul.

I agree with the idea of doing it in stages. I don't plan to get rid of the products that I'm using that are made of plastic while they still work, but I have been gradually making switches as we buy new - we now use plastic-free floss, toothbrushes, laundry detergent and hand soap, and we've decided to focus on the areas where the plastic we're using is non-recyclable (we hope to reduce our use of that too but it's less urgent)

The foreword, written by Dianna Cohen, the CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition, gives perspective to the plastic pollution movement and frames it within the current environmental and racial justice movement unfolding worldwide. Jeff Delkin, Founder of Bambu, believes Say Goodbye to Plastic is "an important book at an important time."

This book makes a good gift for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, and is an important read, even if you don't think the situation is dire, because plastic is becoming an ever-increasing problem, and at the very least it can make readers more conscious of what they're buying.

About the Author

Sandra Ann Harris is the founder and president of ECOlunchbox, a mission-based consumer products company. Her passion is protecting the oceans by reducing people's dependence on plastics. ECOlunchbox, a certified B Corporation and California Green Business, innovates and sells high-quality, plastic-free food container solutions. She has a diverse background in business consulting, product development, investigative journalism, and digital marketing strategy along with her work in the non-profit sector for a humanitarian aid organization. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her family.