Welcome!

My mission is to inspire and enlighten people about environmental issues and toxic-free living.

Going plastic-free, toxin-free, zero waste, embracing minimalism, addressing the waste crisis, climate change, and threats to all species.

How do you eat healthy and stay toxin free and reduce waste and refuse packaging and go plastic free and raise children and help the environment and stay on a budget?

What this blog is:

My intention is to inspire others to help improve our environment, our lives, and our children’s lives. To improve our health, save lives, to protect the oceans. To reduce waste and to go plastic-free. To refuse a life debt by buying things we don’t need and that harm the environment. To help others help themselves in the struggle against disposable and plastic EVERYTHING, the climate crisis, and the endeavor to improve the waste disaster we’ve unintentionally created. And, of course, to save the sea turtles.

“How is it possible that the most intelligent creature to ever walk the planet is destroying its own home?” -Jane Goodall

I have been inspired by many bloggers, writers, artists, and documentarians on reducing and refusing waste and plastic; zero waste; and environmental issues. Many of them live in areas that have alternatives and solutions to problems with packaging, waste, and plastic – such as New York, California, even outside of the U.S. However, what do you do if you live in a smaller city or a place that doesn’t always offer alternatives?

I live in the Southeastern U.S. – Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be specific – and the alternatives I’m looking for are just not available here sometimes! This blog captures those trials and errors, searches for solutions, and methods to avoid the mainstream culture of waste. I’m not here to rewrite the story or reinvent the wheel – I’m here to add to it!

What you will read here:

I am documenting my family’s refusal of and attempt to go plastic free, zero waste, and toxic free, sometimes just one object at a time – because it can be so overwhelming to solve all the problems at once. I’m showing you how I’m tackling one or two items at a time and I hope it helps you!

I am reviewing products that I’ve tried myself, and recommending them (or not). I am reviewing films, documentaries, and TED talks related to the topics I write about. Sometimes I review books on relevant topics. I write about other organizations, efforts around the world, and people making a difference! It will take me time to cover all of the great efforts out there, so please don’t think I’m forgetting any one individual or any one organization!

But I’m just a person, who sees trash on the beach washing up from ocean; a person who goes walking with her family and sees trash and we clean it up; a person who wants the Earth to stay beautiful and for my son to grow up in a world that is not toxic and unhealthy. I am not the complete authority. This blog is NOT the end of the story, nor does it contain all of the solutions. I am not a scientist, nor a politician – I’m just someone who wants to help make changes – and through small changes, we all can make a difference. I welcome your ideas too!

What this blog is not:

My blog is, simply put, about LOVE – of life, of nature, of our children, of balance, of Earth.  This blog IS NOT a political forum, although there will be times where I cite or write about legislation or political entities that are outright making the situation worse. If you’re looking for a place to respond with negativity, you’ve come to the wrong blog – not sorry! Haters gonna hate. But small differences can add up and make a positive change, so why not try? Be the change! Join me!

My name is Marie, and I started this website because I am an environmentalist and a mother.

I named the blog Because Turtles Eat Plastic Bags for my son. When he was just 3, he would tell people in store check-out lines that the reason we had our own cloth bags with us was “because the turtles eat the plastic bags.” My adorable boy would get smiles and laughs over this, but he was absolutely right! He’s a little older now but the name stuck. He even writes his own articles sometimes!

And then I actually saw a turtle walking by plastic waste…

I had been thinking about writing this blog for a long time, but I was busy taking care of my family and working full-time. Just a few months before I launched this blog, my family vacationed in the Southern Outer Banks to visit my best friend from college. I was with her when I saw this turtle, walking by discarded plastic, and I knew at that moment that I needed to finally do this – I needed to inspire others and help others figure out how to deal with the problems we are facing environmentally. My son inspired me, and my husband and friend encouraged me!

I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee with my husband, son, and dog. We love nature and the outdoors and visit coastlines as often as we can.

I have so much I want to share with you. Thank you for reading – and please subscribe if you want to follow my journey.