May is for the “Pre-Game.” Build your systems now so you can spend June, July, and August enjoying the Sound, not managing plastic trash.

Summer in Westport is iconic, but the logistics can be heavy. We’re helping you audit your gear and swap out the “disposable” habit for high-performance, planet-friendly alternatives.

1. The Sunscreen Reset

Traditional plastic bottles are a triple threat: they leak in your beach bag, they’re rarely recycled, and many contain chemicals that harm our bodies and our local waters. Swap your “goo” for these plastic-free, high-performance tins.

• Raw Elements: The gold standard for water resistance. Their 30+ tin is a beach bag essential.
• Little Hands Hawaii: Perfect for sensitive skin and kids. Their tins and sticks are strictly “no-nonsense” and zero-waste.
• All Good: Lightweight, reef-friendly, and comes in easy-to-use tins that won’t crack under the weight of your beach chair.

2. The Hydration Reset

Stop hauling heavy cases of plastic-wrapped water bottles around- whether to Compo Beach, a neighborhood picnic or the summer ball games. When those bottles sit in the sun, the PET plastic can release chemicals and microplastics into your water.  To truly UnPlastic, the best move is to buy in bulk canisters and scoop what you need into your reusable bottle. If you need the convenience of “on-the-go” sticks, look for brands committed to better packaging.

• Nuun Tablets: These come in a single, recyclable plastic tube that replaces 10+ bottles of Gatorade. The Eco-Win: Once you finish the tube, it’s a great waterproof container for matches or hair ties!
• Ultima Replenisher (Bulk Canisters): Skip the individual stick packs and go for the 90-serving canister. One tub replaces 90 plastic bottles and significantly reduces packaging waste.
• Skratch Labs: Like Ultima, they offer large multi-serving bags. The Eco-Win: Skratch is known for clean, real-food ingredients, and by using their bulk bags, you’re cutting out the foil-laminate waste of individual packets.

3. The Picnic Reset

Ziploc bags and flimsy plastic wraps are not only the first things to blow away in a beach breeze, they are often made with chemicals, which can migrate into fatty foods (like cheese and meats) much faster when exposed to heat and salt. Keep BOTH the sand and toxins out, and the food fresh with sturdy, reusable “Beach Charcuterie” gear.

• ECOlunchbox: Their stainless steel bento boxes are virtually indestructible and plastic-free.
• Stasher Bags: The ultimate reusable alternative to single-use bags. They seal tight and can even be thrown in the dishwasher after a sandy day.

4. The Garden Reset

Don’t let your garage become a plastic graveyard.” Every May, nursery pots pile up behind our sheds. Here is how to clear the clutter:

• The Return Loop: Keep a bin in your car for empty pots.
• Drop-Off Locations: The Norwalk & Fairfield Home Depots and Lowe’s (on Connecticut Ave) have seasonal collection programs for nursery pots and trays.
• Local Nurseries: If you bought your plants from Gilberties, Izzo’s or another local nursery, call ahead as they may take your pots back.
• Garden Clubs: The Westport Garden Club will be accepting plastic pots on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at their plant sale (Jesup Green) and on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the Westport Farmers’ Market (50 Imperial Ave)

Progress Over Perfection

You don’t need a zero-waste life to make a difference in Westport. Every “UnPlastic” swap you make in May is one less piece of trash on our shoreline in August.

Ready to start your reset? Pledge to UnPlastic here.

As a reminder, we do not consider ourselves experts. The products shared here reflect personal experience and research, and are not sponsored or compensated recommendations. We are committed to making the switch one product at a time — reducing single-use plastic in our homes, our oceans, and our landfills. Even one swap can have an outsized impact for your family and for the planet.