Take out the trash

We hate thinking about the future of plastic. Using and chucking disposable cups and plastic bags can add up to nearly 700 pieces of plastic a year per person. Most of it ends up in landfills, but quite a bit of it flows through storm drains and out into our oceans. So much so in fact, that there is a garbage patch the size of Texas floating in the North Pacific.

By reducing your share of the plastic pie, you might keep plastics from becoming a popular breakfast for sea birds and other marine creatures.

And you can save yourself some $ - some coffee shops and markets give you a discount when you bring your own. Peets, Starbucks, Wild Oats, Whole Foods, and many others will throw you a dime for doing the right thing. Which is great, we just wish they'd publicize this a bit more. How about a little reminder? We're busy and forgetful, help us out here!

You're doing them a favor by keeping their trash bills low, so don't be shy about asking for a discount.

It's time to kick some serious plASStic.