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Today’s blog post about reducing plastic waste came from a conversation with my granddaughter Aubrey.
As we watched a movie together this afternoon, she scrolled through photos online. Pausing the movie, she showed me one that halted her scrolling. An ocean bay, filled with thousands of water bottles and scraps of plastic, concerned her. Even more tragic were photos showing the devastating effects of plastics on marine life.
“What do we do?” Aubrey asked.
What Do We Do to Reduce Plastic Waste?
I’m so glad she asked.
My immediate response was to point to my metal water bottle, resting on the ottoman in front of us. We stop buying one-use plastics, I told her. I explained that recently I stopped using plastic water bottles, straws, sandwich bags and other plastics that are used once and tossed.
Her questions, as our conversation continued, were great. She wondered what I did at restaurants, if offered a straw. I decline it or lay it aside on the table, unopened. At home I use metal straws and glass containers for filtered water poured from a Brita pitcher.
This 10 year old child and I talked about ways to reduce plastic waste and clean up our oceans. I shared what I am currently doing and what habits I intend to shift. She quickly grasped that even small actions create change, as more and more people become aware and join together .
Her curiosity even led to a discussion about living a plant based lifestyle and how that helps the planet. This is a decision she can make as she gets older. However, there are many things she and I…and all of us…can do now, to help make a difference and bring healing to our home, planet Earth.
12 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste
In 2018 more 38 million tons of plastic waste were generated in the US. Only 7% of that plastic found its way into recycling bins. Worldwide, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste, per year, ends up in our oceans. Need a visual of that enormous number? Imagine a huge garbage truck dumping a load of plastic into the ocean, every minute of every day.
One-use plastics especially, such as straws, water bottles and containers, are a huge problem. All that plastic is not just unsightly as it litters beaches and clogs inlets and bays. It’s destroying marine life and releasing toxins into the environment.
Here are 12 easy ways to begin reducing plastic waste:
Bring Your Own Shopping Bag
Most grocery stores offer the option of bringing your own cloth or reusable plastic shopping bags from home. Some stores, like Natural Grocers and Aldi’s don’t provide plastic shopping bags at all.
Use cardboard boxes or reusable shopping bags and bag up your own groceries. Take that practice one step further and bring your own reusable produce bags as well.
Stop Purchasing Products Containing Microplastics
Much of the plastic pollution in the ocean comes from microplastics. These are commonly added to consumer products such as toothpaste and face cleanser. The tiny beads are intended as exfoliators. Wastewater treatment facilities aren’t able to screen them out.
Instead, look for biodegradable alternatives. Avoid products with polypropylene or polyethylene on the ingredient lists.
Don’t Use Plastic Water Bottles
We’ve become so accustomed to the convenience of plastic bottles. However, these bottles are accumulating at an alarming rate in landfills and bodies of water. This is such an easy first step to take, in reducing plastic waste.
As an alternative, use metal water bottles. These come in a variety of sizes and colors, with loops for attaching to backpacks if desired. I’ve already become accustomed to carrying a metal water bottle with me and refilling it as needed. I even pour herbal teas into my bottle.
Similarly, carry a refillable coffee mug or thermos to coffee shops rather than using their disposable styrofoam cups.
Purchase in Bulk
Much plastic waste occurs in the kitchen, as many foods come in plastic packaging that is tossed after opening. Consider buying foods such as rice, beans, nuts, cereals, pasta and spices in bulk. Bring your own containers to tote them home in.
Think Differently About Food Storage
Rather than using one-time use plastic storage bags consider using glass or reusable containers for storage. Pack lunches in bento boxes, with compartmentalized spaces. Use stackable glass bowls with lids for leftovers in the fridge. Even glass canning jars make great storage containers.
Try taking your own clean containers to restaurants for take home food. I’ve done this for Thai take out…and no one said a word. They simply used the container, returning it to me with my food to go.
There are a wealth of reusable storage containers and options other than baggies and plastic wrap available for purchase.
Replace Disposable Razors
Instead of using plastic disposable razors, opt for razors that have replaceable blades.
Switch to Cloth Diapers
I know what you are thinking. However, cloth diapers have changed greatly in recent years. You don’t even need diaper pins, if you purchase one of the new self securing styles. And they come in a variety of fun designs and patterns.
If you’ve had babies and toddlers, you know how many disposable diapers end up in the trashcan in a day. The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of diapers are tossed yearly, in the US. Washable cloth diapers not only lessen waste, they save money too.
Refuse Plastic Cutlery
Use the real forks, knives and spoons at home, instead of plasticware. And in restaurants, refuse plastic cutlery when toting food home.
Stop Using Plastic Straws
At home, switch to metal or glass straws, if you want to use them. I have a set of metal straws that I sometimes use when drinking smoothies or cold lemon/lime water. My set came with a tiny bottle-style brush for easy cleaning.
In restaurants, refuse plastic straws. Sip directly out of the glass. This practice has been easy for me to adopt. I drink water anyway in restaurants, on the rare occasions that I eat out. And now I don’t use a straw.
Purchase Second Hand Items
Most toys, electronic gadgets and household items come packaged in plastic. Purchasing these things through second hand stores, flea markets and yard sales saves money and reduces plastic waste. And don’t you hate opening those bulky plastic packages anyway? They often require a knife or a pair of scissors, just to get them open.
Travel Without Plastics
With an international trip coming up next month, my granddaughter and I discussed what I could do about the required quart sized plastic bag that TSA requires for toiletries. You know the rule. All 3.4 ounce containers, or smaller, must be in a clear quart sized bag, one bag per traveler.
I looked on Amazon, under TSA Approved Clear Quart Sized Travel Bags. And….there are alternatives! You know I’ll be purchasing these. I can’t wait to tell Aubrey. And the two piece set below means I can give the other one to my sister to use.
Support Companies Using Ecological Packaging
More and more companies are making ecologically sound choices when it comes to packaging. Look for those companies and support them by purchasing their products. Those actions send a strong message as well to the companies who are packaging with plastics.
Here are a few brands to get you started:
Seed Phytonutrients – This company packages clean and natural hair, face and body products in shower-friendly paper bottles.
Plaine Products – Purchase bath and body products that are packaged in aluminum bottles. Plus the company offers a refill program.
PAPELYCO – This company supplies plantable paper plates…which is so very cool…and green. After use, place the plate in the ground and a plant grows out of it!
One Step at a Time
I hope you found at least one action that you can take, to reduce plastic waste. I am continuing to adopt new practices and do research.
As I drove to Subway, so Aubrey could get a sandwich, we continued our discussion about making a difference and reducing plastic use. She even declared, with a great deal of zeal, that at some point in her life, she would shift her eating habits and become plant based.
“I’m going to become a vege-freaking-tarian!” Aubrey
I love that girl’s fire and spirit! Plus, she makes me laugh.
She makes me proud too.
At Subway she ordered a plain sandwich, a bag of chips and a small cup of water…NO STRAW.
That’s my girl.
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So agree. Just start with small changes even like no straws, or plastic water bottles. I carry a cloth bag that folds down into my fist (if that) in every bag I carry.
Yes it’s about making small changes that lead to greater awareness! I’m having an impact on my family members, who are making changes as well.
Funny…we just had a similar conversation yesterday! Great list!
Awesome!!
Great tips! We can all do our share!
Yes we can!
These are great tips!! We could all try to do better!
Together, we all can make a difference!
I wish plastic was banned altogether. It would help a lot! We use metal reusable straws at home. I’m also a rep for a great company that supports the health of our oceans. Check it out! It’s called sandcloud.com
Thank you I’ll check that company out!
If everyone took just one of your suggestions to heart, it would make a huge impact. Also legislation helps. In our State (California), single use bags are prohibited. Everyone is carrying reusable bags to the stores now, and it wasn’t that hard to get used to.
I love how progressive CA is! Hopefully they lead other states to making those changes too. Yes if everyone made small changes it would have a great impact.
We have made changes in the last year to reduce our plastic use. It’s so important! Thank you for sharing!
That’s awesome!
Way to raise an activist!
Indeed! 😃
You have some great advice here! I hope everyone can take away at least one thing they can do to help our environment for future generations!
Yes! Small changes are a great start and enough people doing them has an impact.
I use a tiny bottle brush to wash & re-use my straws for my smoothies. So much plastic waste in packaging both food, electronics, everything! Great info here. Thx
Yes packaging uses so much plastic! I’m trying to support companies using cloth or cardboard packaging. And yay you for reusing your straws!
Taking this to heart for sure! We try to recycle as much as we can to reduce the amount of waste we put out but these ideas are golden!
Awesome! Thank you.
All great items on this list. CA is pretty progressive on this stuff but I am amazed how much plastic waste are at places still. I do admit to cringing at food TO GO boxes etc. I am small and almost anywhere I go, I take 1/2 home. Should I dine out with my own pyrex ready in a bag – haha!
CA is much more progressive. Hopefully other states follow their example. Ha yes! I don’t eat out much but my favorite Thai restaurant doesn’t mind me bring my own take out container at all!
We have had Yeti’s and stainless straws for years not. I can not stand single-use plastics. Just got glass container to replace my Tupperware too. Plastic has not been a friend to our earth or our bodies!
Wonderful! One of my first changes was to glass containers for food storage. Then bye bye plastic straws!
We LOVE our cloth diapers! Our best switch yet! I have the exact ones you have a photo of here too 🙂
That’s awesome! I used cloth diapers with my babies years ago. But these new diapers are so much easier to use and so cute too!
Very good article and so timely. It seems we humans have made quite a mess of things haven’t we.
We have! And we have the power to shift and make changes.
I have never really thought about most of these things because they were just normal to me. I will think about it more now, thank you.
Wonderful! Thank you.
I love this! I’ve always been a reusable water bottle person, but I’ve recently been more aware of my use of plastic bags, straws (don’t use plastic straws anymore) and plastic utensils. And exfoliators! As soon as I heard those little beads don’t dissolve I stopped buying them. Soft skin is not worth the environmental impact of those little beads going down the drain.
Yay you!! Yes when we begin to make changes awareness raises and we see more ways to lessen use of plastics.
Great suggestions and easy to just change a few things.?
Yes these are great changes to begin with and not hard to do!
good ideas. I’m perplexed by the banning of plastic bags here in Ca. when people go through cases and cases of water bottles daily. I never thought about bringing my own take home container. Good idea!
Yes plastic water bottle use is a big issue! It’s the convenience aspect. I’m loving carrying my own metal water bottle everywhere.
I really do love that the world is trying to make so many changes when it comes to plastic and waste, as every little change can make all the difference. I am always trying to evaluate my choices and seeing if there’s something more that I can do. It’s also great to see so many big businesses making changes too! Hardly anywhere has single use plastic bags anymore, and it’s awesome to see.
Yes together we are making a difference!
This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Thank you for bringing this important issue to the forefront!
Wonderful! Together we can initiate change!
Great ideas! I know our recycling is always more full than our trash. I love the ideas! (I changed to reusable straws last year and love it!)
Awesome!!
The anxiety that plastic pollution gives me is intense, yet I still find myself accidentally using plastic in my life. Some things just became an easy habit – like shopping bags, reusable straws, etc., but I cringe at the number of microplastics that are still in every-day items. We all need to do our part.
Yes if more and more people initiate change it will have a greater impact on companies. We can do it!
I LOVE seed phytonutrients!! I’m so happy you suggested them to people!
I’m excited about this company!
Very easy and practical tips! Thank you!
That’s what I hoped, that people would see that these actions are very doable. Thank you!
Great post! I have been making small changes this past year and it’s easier than I thought. I love my Yeti Mug and reusable straws. I am storing food in glass containers now which is healthier anyway. Now if I can just remember to put my cloth shopping bags back in my car after removing unpacking my groceries! I keep forgetting that step!
I have many cloth bags because I’ve gotten to the store without returning my bags to the car…so I purchase more!
Oh, I wish all people would follow this list. It’s not that difficult. Great list! Thanks!
It’s not that hard! Small changes lead to bigger ones. Greater awareness sparks change as well.
We are really trying to be more aware of waste, these are great tips! I need those mesh bags, what a great idea!!
Thank you! I’m being very aware of how I can further reduce plastics use.
We are working hard on this… my kids are adament!
Awesome! My grandkids are joining me in this battle!
Great post and we can always do more. I have gotten into this awful habit with the plastic bottles although I know better. I have to also purchase a Britta and be done with it because the situation with the bottles is getting out of hand in my household. Thanks for the encouragement.
Glad to offer encouragement! The Brita is working well in my household. No more plastic water bottles!
Great tips!!! This is soo important for people to know and do!!
I agree! Together we can make a difference!
Loved this article! So very informative! I’ll pin it too!
Thank you!