No. 56: Small impacts this PFJ

PFJ = Plastic Free July

and

Jul 03, 2023

Don’t forget to share the referral link and check out all of the links below!! ;) On an unrelated note, is anyone else genuinely super excited for the Barbie movie?? Because we are! (On an unrelated note, Mattel apparently has a four-set Barbie Eco-leadership team.)

Welcome back, and happy Plastic Free July! This year’s theme is “Small impacts make a big difference,” but don’t stress over every little thing— it’s the companies that need to be held accountable.

This month…

Try a trash audit!
- You will have to get your hands dirty (or wear gloves)! Take a look at what you throw away: could you find a more sustainable swap or lessen your usage of said product?
Go pick up/scavenge trash!
- I attended the Eras Tour recently and saw a really cool reusable cup that was sold, but I didn’t purchase it. The next day, we went back to the stadium hoping to locate one someone left behind, but unfortunately didn’t find it. Instead, though, we rescued beads, a friendship bracelet, a tumbler cup, sunglasses, and a hair bow, all of which likely would’ve been discarded!
Pack a reusable container
- Eating out at a restaurant with leftovers? Consider packing a container, as a lot of restaurants use styrofoam.

Bella Bee’s Book/Film Recommendations

Enjoy the ratings out of five while they last, because next time I’m going to make them out of eight solely because I can. —Bella :)

The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) novel by Ursula K. Le Guin
- An outsider’s perspective on a genderless society in a Star Trek-esque universe. Really makes you look at our society and its gender roles in a new light. It’s also just a fun sci-fi read in general, especially if you’re interested in anthropology or sociology. 5/5
War Virtually: The Quest to Automate Conflict, Militarize Data, and Predict the Future (2022) nonfiction book by Roberto J. González
- A bit slow at times, but does a great job of explaining the state of modern warfare and the burgeoning use of technology to crack down on perceived threats, often without due process. 3.5/5 if you skip the boring bits.
Starship Troopers (1997) film
- I can’t speak for the book it was based on, but this movie is one of my favorites. It acts as a sort of satire on our society’s obsession with violence. I agree with many who say that it skewers fascism and militarization as well. Spoiler alert: the ones wearing Nazi-esque uniforms and starring in pro-war propaganda are not the good guys. 5/5
Robocop (2014) film
- I’ve never seen the original 1987 Robocop movie (I’ve heard great things) but I liked this remake just fine. Like Starship Troopers, I think it turns a critical eye on the way violence–- in this case, state-sanctioned violence done by the police–- seems to be glorified in our culture. I plan to watch the original! 3/5
The Communist Manifesto (1848) book by Friedrich Engels & Karl Marx
- Do I agree with everything in this book? No. But I would encourage everyone to read it at least once. Engels and Marx make some very acute critiques of our current economic system, and in reading this book it is easy to imagine a better world. It really expanded my worldview and helped me realize that just because things are a certain way now doesn’t mean they have to always be that way. 4.5/5