launch The Clean Up Project online to share what
she had learned.
At that point, Ingram moved on to replacing
home cleaning products and personal care items.
deodorant. But now if you Google plastic-free
of The Clean Up Project: Ingram has done
the groundwork for anyone wishing to follow
don’t work, I don’t put them on there,” she says.
of Fame of plastic-free items. Ingram has even
her teenage daughter uses. “I’m kind of like the
Ingram acknowledges that making a complete
switch can feel daunting and doesn’t want anyone
trapped in it—the system is set up like this,” she
says. But that doesn’t mean things can’t change.
In addition to inspiring change from inside her
home, she speaks to schools and community
groups and is implementing ways to motivate
print out educational cards to leave with your
And Ingram often gives shout outs to local eating
warm fuzzy feeling when we recycle our plastics
Ingram has seen is how the plastic-free living
affects her children, who are now learning to
cook healthier snacks in lieu of reaching for
26 Bham Family April 2020
PLASTIC-FREE STARTER KIT CHECKLIST
Ingram recommends these easy ways to start
reducing the single-use plastic in your home
today:
Instead of a plastic water bottle, bring your own
reusable water bottle.
Instead of plastic shopping bags, bring reusable
shopping bags.
Instead of plastic produce bags, go without or try
reusable mesh produce bags.
Instead of a plastic straw, say “no thanks” or bring
your own reusable straw.
Instead of a plastic toothbrush, try a bamboo
toothbrush.
Instead of bottled shampoo, try a shampoo bar.
Instead of a plastic packaging, look for items in
cardboard or glass.
Instead of individually packaged snacks, buy in
bulk and choose recyclable containers.
Instead of individual bottled sports drinks, buy the
powdered mix and use a reusable bottle.
Instead of plastic zip top bags, pack lunch in
reusable containers.
load in the dishwasher and we hardly have any
waste,” Ingram shares that a lot of it is change of
mindset: “We think we can’t add one more thing
What kind of ripple effect could happen if
we all adopted this attitude? “Life is simpler and
richer and you feel like you are doing something
good,” she says.
Ingram has also started to make some products
information, visit www.thecleanupprojectusa.com
or check out her regular segment “Living with
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
/www.thecleanupprojectusa.com