Welcome!

My mission is to inspire and enlighten people about plastic-free living, toxic-free living, and the climate crisis.

Anti-Violence statement: This website, and I as its author, unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, political or otherwise.

Going plastic-free, toxic-free, zero waste, and minimalist while addressing the waste crisis, climate crisis, and threats to all species – including ourselves.

How can you maintain a healthy diet, reduce toxic exposure, minimize waste and packaging, cut down on plastic usage, help the climate crisis, parent responsibly, contribute to environmental conservation, and all within a budget, while also saving the sea turtles?

This has been my journey and my challenge for the past decade. I’m always learning and trying new things. Read About Me and Subscribe to my blog to learn with me!

What this blog is:

It’s truly disheartening that we humans are intentionally destroying our own habitat. No other species does this. It’s devastating to think about the many other species we’re pushing to the brink of extinction at the same time. I’m committed to making a change for the better.

We can still change this!

I intend to inspire others to help improve our environment, our lives, and our children’s lives. To improve our health, save lives, and 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!

“We chose this fight not because we were sure we could win, but because we were sure it was right.” -Kamala Harris, The Truths We Hold

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

I’ve been inspired by bloggers, writers, artists, and documentarians advocating for waste reduction, zero waste, and environmental issues. Many of them reside in areas that offer alternatives and solutions to problems with packaging, waste, and plastic, such as New York, California, and 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, specifically – and the alternatives I’m looking for are just not available here sometimes! This blog captures those trials and errors and searches for solutions and methods to avoid the mainstream culture of waste. I am not here to rewrite the story or reinvent the wheel; I am here to contribute to it!

What you will read here:

I am documenting my family’s journey in refusing plastic, striving for zero waste, and eliminating toxins from our daily lives, one step at a time. It can be overwhelming to tackle all these issues at once, so I’m sharing how we’re addressing one or two items at a time. I hope our experience can be helpful to you!

I write reviews of products I’ve personally tried and recommend them, or not. Currently, there are no affiliate links on this website. I review films, documentaries, TED talks, and books related to the topics I write about. My writing covers various organizations, global initiatives, and individuals who are making a positive impact. With so many wonderful efforts out there, it will take time for me to cover them all. Please know that I value each individual and organization, even if I haven’t covered them yet.

I am a regular person who notices trash on the beach washed up from the ocean and takes the initiative to clean it up. My family and I often go for “trash walks” wherever we are because we want to preserve the beauty of the Earth. I want my son to grow up in a world that is not toxic and unhealthy. I am not an expert or authority on these matters. This blog does not contain all the solutions, and I am not a scientist or a politician. I am just someone who wants to help bring about change. Even small changes can make a difference, and I am open to hearing your ideas as well!

What this blog is not:

My blog centers around the concept of love – love for life, nature, our children, balance, and our planet. While the blog is not specifically intended to be a platform for political debates, there may be occasions when I reference legislation or political entities that exacerbate certain situations through anti-scientific rhetoric. However, I want to be clear that I never advocate for violence, because violence is never the answer. We can all contribute to the world through peaceful, informed actions and behaviors that create positive change. We will make more headway through love and understanding.

Why not give it a try and be the change? I invite you to join me on this journey! Subscribe today!

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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’d been contemplating writing this blog for a long time, but balancing family responsibilities and a full-time job kept me busy. Just a few months before launching, my family and I took a vacation to the Southern Outer Banks to visit my college best friend. One afternoon, I watched a turtle walk along a beach strewn with plastic, and something inside me shifted. That moment wasn’t just a wake-up call—it was a quiet, powerful realization that the time had come to act. Fueled by a desire to make a difference and help others confront the environmental issues we all face, I knew I had to take the plunge. My son’s innocent wonder at the world continues to inspire me.

I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee with my spouse, son, and 2 dogs. We love nature and the outdoors and visit coastlines as often as we can.

The Banana Slug String Band wrote this song, which would be my theme song if I had one:

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