Whether it’s buying a reusable coffee cup, ditching single-use water bottles, or simply recycling, there are countless ways for people to reduce their plastic waste and help to preserve the planet. Canvas8 spoke to eight Americans to find out whether they’re taking such actions and why.

People may be increasingly aware of how single-use plastics harm the environment, but acting on this knowledge is difficult. New York’s Package Free Shop offers an easy way to join the zero-waste movement by selling a range of sustainable products and educating people how to use them.

Beer cans were once seen as the cheap alternative to bottles for those too young or poor to afford the glass casing – but that couldn’t be further from the truth today. Store aisles and social feeds are filled with colorful can designs, but what’s caused these receptacles to make such a comeback?

Plastic straws have been demonised since images of marine life being damaged by them hijacked the public consciousness and spawned a flurry of Insta-activism. #Stopsucking is an example of how these eco-protests evolve, why they matter and how they inspire actual change.