10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Consumption
Hope your first week of reducing plastic consumption is going well. If you haven't started your challenge yet, no time like the present.
Here are some tips that can help. Please share with as many people as possible.
These are easy to do and for many a reminder of what we already know, but sometimes need that extra push to do.
Thanks for participating in a Plastic Free Challenge
Sustainably yours
Helene
1 Stop using plastic straws. If you want a straw, carry a stainless steel or bamboo one with you. Take it a step further and ask the manager or owner of restaurants you frequent to stop using plastic straws and use paper instead and then only provide them when asked.
2 When you are out, bring your own water bottle and coffee mug. If you are having a beverage while at a coffee shop, ask for a reusable mug. Take it a step further and install a water filter at home if you can. One way to ingest less plastic.
3 Bring a metal or glass container when you eat at restaurants. Use it for leftovers. Ask that your take out food be placed in your containers as well. Bring silverware or get a bamboo set for take out or for restaurants that serve plastic utensils. Make sure you always have a set of silverware and a container in your car.
4 Stop chewing gum. Gum is no longer made with tree resin. It is made with plastic. Not good for your health or the environment. We already ingest about a credit card worth of plastic a week. No need to add to this.
5 Use metal or glass containers to store food. You can freeze in glass jars. Just fill about 2/3 full so that there is room for food to expand. Use toppers or silicone bags for storage. Take it a step further and stop using plastic wrap and plastic baggies altogether.
6 Shop the bulk aisles. Bring your jars or cloth bags to fill items from bulk bins. Have the store weigh your glass or metal containers before you fill them so it can be deducted at the check out. Take it a step further and bring reusable produce bags .
Stop using the plastic or even "compostable" produce bags.
7 Use bar soap instead of liquid soap that comes in plastic containers. Many bar soaps come in either cardboard wrapping , like Dove, or in no wrapping at all.
8 Choose toilet tissue wrapped in paper instead of plastic. Find bathroom tissue products that made from recycled bamboo or paper. Who Gives A Crap is a company that wraps their tissue in paper, sends it in cardboard boxes and gives 50% of their profits to charity.
9 Buy juice and other beverages in glass jars, not plastic bottles. Take it a step further and write to companies who package their beverages in plastic. Tell them you love their product not their packaging.
10 Buy wine with cork stoppers instead of plastic. Corks can be recycled at Total Wine, and MOM’s. Seems like a small thing, and it is, but every bit of plastic not consumed is a step in the right direction.
