What Are 5 Ways To Reduce Plastic

Did you know that humans produce over 380 million tons of plastic every year? And guess what? Less than 9% of it gets recycled!

The plastic crisis is overwhelming, but the good thing is that we can make a difference by making simple changes in our daily habits.

In this article, I am sharing with you some practical, effective ways to reduce plastic consumption that actually fit into your busy life. Let’s look at 5 ways to reduce plastic. These strategies will help you shrink your plastic footprint.

But first, let’s look at why it’s so important to reduce plastic in your daily life.

Why is it Important to Reduce Plastic in Your Daily Life?

The reality is that plastic is everywhere! Think about your snack bags and soda/juice bottles. Let’s face it, plastic is convenient….super convenient.

But here’s the thing… It’s also causing some major problems for the planet. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why should I even care?”… here are some reasons that you really need to consider.

Plastic stays in the environment for a really long time

Most plastics don’t break down. They can stay in the environment for hundreds of years. So some of the plastic items you use might still be in the landfill in the year 2400!

Reducing plastic consumption can help to protect wildlife

Wildlife like sea turtles, birds, and fish are accidentally eating plastic or getting tangled in it. For example, turtles may think that a plastic bag floating in the sea is a jellyfish and consume it. This can lead to serious health problems or even death.

You and I are at risk of eating plastics

Microplastics (tiny plastic bits) are now in our food, water, and even the air. Even though we are still not sure what effect it will have on our health, it’s still something to be cautious about. Do you really want to eat plastic?

Reducing plastic consumption can reduce the use of fossil fuels

In order to make plastic, companies tend to drill for fossil fuels like oil and gas, which adds to climate change. So if we use less plastic, there will be less demand for fossil fuels. This is one way to reduce your carbon footprint and help to protect the environment.

What are 5 Ways To Reduce Plastic?

Alright, so we know why it’s important to reduce plastic consumption. Let’s look at some ways to reduce it in our daily lives.

1) Switch To Sustainable Alternatives

Single-use plastics are everywhere…like straws, water bottles and plastic bags. We use them once and then throw them away.

If you switch to more sustainable alternatives, you can reduce your plastic consumption as well as plastic waste.

This can also save you money, so that’s a plus.

Here are some things you can do to reduce single-use items and incorporate sustainable alternatives.

Stop using plastic bottles, bags and straws since they tend to be the most common ones
Use a stainless steel water bottle
Switch to silicone or metal straws
Grab a strong tote or fold-up shopping bag
Try glass containers or snacks, or lunches
Keep a set of reusable utensils and a container in your bag that you can use for takeout or leftovers without grabbing extra plastic

It’s easy to forget to carry your reusables. So keep a set of reusables in your car, handbag or backpack.

You can also use a hook by the door to hang your bags, so you see them on the way out. If you forget sometimes, don’t stress. It takes time to build habits.

2) Develop New Shopping Habits

Have you ever noticed how much plastic comes home with your groceries? Think about the wrapped fruits and vegetables as well as packaged snacks.

Here are some ways you can reduce plastic consumption by changing your shopping habits.

Buy only what you need. Stop and think before making your purchases.
Practice bulk shopping. So buy pasta, nuts, shampoo, etc, in bulk and bring your own jars and cloth bags
Go to farmers’ markets so you can get fresh produce without plastic wrap
Save jars from pasta sauce or peanut butter since they’re perfect for refills.
If you have to use plastic containers, choose the ones that are recyclable. Some plastics (like #1 and #2) are usually recyclable, but others (#6 and #7) might not be.
Ask your servers if they can skip the plastic bag or use your container instead

3) Make Changes In Your Kitchen

Your kitchen may have more plastic than you realize. Here are a few changes you can make to reduce the amount of plastic you use in your kitchen.

You don’t have to do all of these at once. You can start doing them when your current plastic items have worn out.

Try using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wraps. They’re reusable and keep food fresh.
Use glass containers for leftovers and meal prep
Switch to silicone lids since they are great for covering bowls and glass containers
Use homemade all-purpose cleaners instead of store-bought ones. Just part vinegar, 1 part water, and a few drops of essential oil (like lemon or lavender) in a reusable spray bottle
Avoid cheap plastic kitchen tools that break easily and can melt or leach chemicals when heated.
Invest in long-lasting items like wooden spoons, stainless steel strainers, or cast iron pans

4) Transform Your Personal Care Routine

Think about all the plastic in your bathroom…bottles, tubes, razors, and more. You can reduce your plastic use and still stick to your favourite self-care routines.

Here are some ways to reduce your plastic use in your self-care routine.

Trade your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one
Switch to bar soap, shampoo bars, and even solid conditioner. They may even last longer than liquid soaps
Try making your own face mask at home. You will save money and you will know exactly what’s going on your skin.
Look out for ingredients like polyethylene or acrylates in scrubs, lotions, and makeup. These tiny plastics wash down the drain and end up in the oceans.
Don’t throw away all your plastic items at once. Use what you have, then replace things slowly. It’s less overwhelming and way less wasteful.

5) Make An Impact In Your Community

You can help reduce plastic consumption by getting involved in your community and on social media. Here are some ways you can make an impact.

Participate in beach clean-ups and other community events geared towards reducing litter. You can even invite your friends, coworkers and family members to join you.
Share the changes that you have been making and encourage others to join you. You can also share the environmental and personal benefits you have experienced.
Educate others via social media about the importance of reducing plastic consumption.
Be bold and polite. Write to your favourite companies that use a lot of plastic in their packaging. Tell them that you love their product and you would love it if they reduced their plastic packaging since it would greatly benefit the environment.

Takeaway

I hope you realized that reducing pastic is not just beneficial for the environment; it’s beneficial for you too.

Reducing plastic consumption is not just about saving turtles or cleaning up our beaches…it’s also about building a healthier, more sustainable world for this generation and the future one.

You can seriously cut down your plastic use by trying out these five strategies.

And don’t worry about being perfect. It’s all about progress.

So, which one will you start with? Leave a comment below and let me know. I look forward to reading your comment.

Sustainable Living Lifestyle