3 Easy Ways to Contribute to a Greener Planet, Inspired by the Founders of 'Plastic-Free Fridays'

Meghan Haywood Sullivan and Sierra Quitiquit connected like many climate activists do: camping atop a glacier in Alberta.

Sullivan, a skilled photographer, and Quitiquit, a talented skier, bonded over their mutual passion for the outdoors and their desire to protect it during a shoot in Canada. Both were already engaged with initiatives like Protect Our Winters, which advocates for non-partisan policies to safeguard our planet. They aimed to make activism more approachable for everyone. In 2018, they established Plastic Free Fridays, a community and educational platform on Instagram focused on motivating individuals to implement small changes.

"We aimed to create something simple and actionable," Sullivan explained. "We want this to empower people to take responsibility and embark on their own environmental journey."

The initiative is straightforward: just follow their Instagram account and join the community by commenting, liking, sharing, and adding your voice to the conversation.

On their account, followers can discover quick facts about plastic pollution, such as: "...we now consume 20 times more plastic than in 1964" and "...disposing of a vape pen results in three types of environmental waste: plastic, electronic waste from lithium-ion batteries, and harmful emissions into the atmosphere." These bite-sized nuggets are designed to provoke thought and inspire action.

Importantly, the Plastic Free Fridays account is a judgment-free zone. They openly acknowledge that everyone is still learning.

"We encourage people to share their mistakes," Sullivan shared. "A major barrier to the environmental movement is the crippling fear of not being perfect. It’s okay to be flawed. It’s all part of the journey."

In addition to their social media presence, the women run a website that offers more insights and showcases some of their favorite brands to help you live a plastic-free life. They are also working with larger companies to develop corporate toolkits aimed at decreasing plastic reliance.

If you’re looking to go plastic-free today, Sullivan suggests the following tips:

Bring your own containers for takeout.

The next time you go out for a meal or order takeout, consider bringing your own containers for leftovers or your meal. This not only reduces plastic use but also opens a chance for a meaningful conversation with your favorite restaurant. "It can motivate cafes and restaurants, especially if you’re a regular," Sullivan noted.

Visit a local farmer's market, or challenge yourself at the supermarket.

If there’s a farmer’s market in your area, Sullivan recommends doing your grocery shopping there, where you can bring reusable bags and connect with local farmers. If the grocery store is your only choice, try to see how little plastic you can purchase on your next visit. "It's incredibly challenging," she said, "but it can be a fun experience."

Step outside and help clean up your community.

The next time you're at a park, beach, or any public area, Sullivan recommends organizing your own cleanup. You can start small or invite friends to join you, or even plan a community cleanup day. "We truly encourage people to engage and give back to their communities," Sullivan emphasized. "This is a fantastic way to do it."

Sullivan makes it clear: stopping plastic use on Fridays won’t single-handedly save the planet. That’s far from the truth. However, the mental shift it promotes could be the more crucial takeaway.

"Going plastic-free just one day a week won’t save the planet. But what can save it is building community and challenging societal norms. When it comes to policy reform and legislative changes, nurturing a new generation of environmentalists will fuel the movement. We hope people view Plastic Free Fridays as a gateway to greater involvement."

Join the Plastic Free Fridays movement and find out how you can participate here.