Here's a little known fact:

Each year, Americans throw away 138 billion straws and stirrers, 110 billion cups and 58 billion plastic utensils.

That's a total of 306 billion! And that's only in America. Numbers like that just blow my mind. First of all, who's doing the counting? Secondly, how many of those do we throw away without even using? (Today's trivia: Do you know how long it takes to count to a billion if you count a number every second? Take a guess. I'll tell you a few blogs from now!)

I have a strategy that I think would cut that 306 billion number in half. (Or, if I'm the only one doing it, reduce the number by at least 1000 over the course of a year.)

1. BRING YOUR OWN COFFEE CUP! Come on. That one's easy. Buy two. Keep one in your car at all times. The person behind the counter will gladly rinse it out for you. (Even in New Jersey.)

2. Don't use a stirrer to stir your coffee. Do like they do at Dunkin Donuts. Put your sugar and cream in your cup first, then pour in your coffee. Or go black. (By the way, use that raw sugar in the brown package. It's not bleached and neither is the paper.)

3. Don't use a straw. Or a lid. Especially if you're eating in or taking it home. Little kids are the exception to this rule. We've tried it. Also, when did they start giving straws with cans and bottles of soda? What a waste!

4. Plastic utensils. Take only what you need - and share. Do you really need 4 plastic knives to put cream cheese on 4 bagels? If you're eating in, ask if they have "real" utensils. In my family, we wipe off the plastic utensils and take them home. I have quite a mixture of colors and styles at my kids' birthday parties. They're so embarrassed...