It’s no secret that a hot-button issue these days is plastic waste. Only about 9% of all the plastic waste that has ever been produced has been recycled, 12% has been incinerated, and the other 79% has ended up in landfills, the ocean, groundwater or other parts of the ecosystem. Half of all plastic products produced are designed to only be used once. We could go on and on about the staggering impacts that this product is having on our planet. World leaders are starting to wake up to this issue, but what can you do to help? With some easy changes to your day-to-day life, you can actually make quite an impact on the amount of plastic you consume, and many of them are changes that won’t cost you more time or money. By implementing these changes (and so many others!) you can take a step in the right direction. Read on for ten tips to reduce your plastic use:
- Use Tote Bags in Place of Single-Use Bags – Whether you’re at the grocery store or the mall, using tote bags or another reusable bag is an easy way to reduce plastic waste that comes from throwaway grocery bags. Leave reusable bags in your car so you’re always prepared when you’re on the road. Pro tip: Some retails might even give you a small discount for using reusable bags, so this tip could actually save you money!
- Use Bar Soap Instead of Body Wash – If you aren’t picky about what type of body soap you use, this switch is a very simple one. Bar soap usually comes in a thin layer of plastic or even better, a cardboard box that can be completely recycled. Both of those packaging options are much better than a large thick plastic container.
- Shop in Bulk – One way we use plastic that sometimes goes unnoticed is in food packaging. Every time you buy a container of pasta in plastic, a bag of rice or individually wrapped snacks you’re contributing to the plastic waste problem. Look for grocery stores like Whole Foods that offer dry goods for sale in bulk. You’ll only end up with the amount that you need, and you’ll reduce the amount of plastic waste you consume at the same time!
- Shop For Items in Cardboard Packaging Instead of Plastic – We all have our own particular way of selecting groceries, but you might also want to take packaging into account next time you’re at the store. Items with minimal to no plastic packaging are easier to recycle and will make a big impact on your plastic use over time.
- Avoid Using Plastic Bags or Plastic Wrap – If you have kids or bring meals to eat at work, you probably buy and throw away quite a few plastic bags. Not only can they add up in price, but they’re also a terrible contributor to our worldwide plastic waste. Consider buying, washing and reusing the plastic bags that don’t get very ‘dirty.’ Buy bags specifically meant to be reused (many are even dishwasher friendly!) and try a reusable food wrap.
- Use Reusable Water Bottles – Multiuse water bottles actually have many other benefits than just reducing plastic waste! They can be customized with fun stickers, they can keep your drinks cool all day and you can avoid harmful chemicals that are present in the single-use bottles from leaching into your water.
- Say No to Plastic Straws – Plastic drinking straws are slowly but surely disappearing from many cities, and for good reason. If you have drinks that require a straw, consider a paper, bamboo or metal alternative. Many even come with a special scrubbing tool to keep them nice and clean in between uses.
- Bring Your Own Tupperware to Restaurants for Leftovers – If you eat out a lot, you’re probably very familiar with the paper or Styrofoam to-go containers given out by restaurants. If you’re likely to have leftovers, think about bringing along a Tupperware container. Your food will likely last longer in it, and you won’t be contributing any more to the waste issue.
- Avoid Plastic Cutlery – If you’re ordering food to-go, think long and hard before you quickly accept the plastic cutlery you’re offered. If you’re going home you can simply use the metal cutlery you already have, and if you’re planning on eating somewhere else you can plan ahead and bring a set with you! Pro tip: This goes for work as well! If you go out to get lunch, leave a set of reusable cutlery at your desk that you can clean and use every day.
- Shop at a Farmer’s Market Instead of the Grocery Store – Not only are Farmer’s Markets great for shopping locally sourced foods, they inherently rely less on packaging than a grocery store. Bring own bags, and take your delicious food right from the farmer to your fridge, sans the plastic! Pro tip: If you still prefer to separate out your purchases, consider purchasing a cotton or mesh produce bag that can be washed and reused.
It’s no secret that plastic waste is becoming a much-talked-about topic in our society and for good reason. With so many options available for reducing our everyday plastic waste, we can all make a small but important impact on this issue. Do you have any other easy plastic-free switches that you’ve made in your life? Share them in the comments below!
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
