Americans produce about 40 million tons of plastic waste each year, and single-use items contribute to a substantial majority of this staggering figure. Shopping bags to coffee cups, these handy items have infiltrated our culture. By making a few easy changes to rein in your plastic use, though, you can have a gigantic impact on the earth while spending less money in the process as well.
1. Transition to Reusable Shopping Bags and Produce Bags
Make the Switch at Checkout
The average American family uses over 1,500 plastic bags per year. Store some reusable bags in your vehicle, purse, or by your front door so you will have them when you need them. Use heavy-duty canvas or recycled plastic bags that will hold a heavy weight and can be washed multiple times.
Don’t Forget the Produce Section
Most people carry their reusable main bags but continue to use plastic bags for fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are perfect in clear mesh bags, and most grocery stores already have them at the checkout. The bags are transparent, so it is simple for the cashiers to recognize your produce.
2. Invest in Reusable Water Bottles and Coffee Cups
Upgrade Your Hydration Game
Sipping from a glass or stainless steel water bottle means not using single-use plastic water bottles. The majority of cafés and restaurants now offer free refills of water, and water fountains are available in the majority of workplaces. For individuals with medical issues with consuming tap water, full-coverage water filtration systems can significantly improve safety and taste and lower the use of bottled water.
Upgrade Your Coffee Habit
If you drink coffee shop coffee on a frequent basis, a reusable travel mug will pay for itself in no time at all. Many coffee shops provide a discount to use your own cup. Insulated mugs also hold your drink at the perfect temperature for longer than paper cups.
3. Choose Products with Minimal or Biodegradable Packaging
Shop Smart at the Grocery Store
Wherever possible, select products with minimal or biodegradable packaging. Buying in bulk will reduce the ratio of packaging to content. Raw fruits and vegetables unwrapped, refill containers, and products in glass or cardboard rather than plastic all assist.
Read Labels Carefully
There are already some companies offering products that have recyclable or compostable packaging. These products would be slightly more expensive to purchase at first, but they prove that there is a demand for green products that will encourage other companies to do the same.
4. Support Locally Based Businesses Specializing in Plastic Reduction
Look for Green Facilities
Most of the local restaurants, farmers markets, and food stores have established a policy of reducing plastics. They mostly use compostable takeout containers, paper bags, or ask people to bring their own containers. Shopping at these stores sends a powerful message about consumer choice.
Establish Relationships with Local Suppliers
Growers and farmers markets are generally more than happy to fill containers that customers bring. Developing a relationship with such growers can lead to plastic-free shopping as well as locally-grown, fresher products.
5. Encourage Policies Restricting the Use of Plastic
Call Your Representatives
Plastic bag bans and charges have worked in many cities and states. Contacting your local representatives about plastic reduction bills can be the system change that will make earth-friendly options the more convenient choice for everyone.
Support Continued Efforts
Stay updated on local environmental activities and join the community in plastic waste reduction activities. There’s beach cleanup, recycling collections, and campaigns that most communities participate in to supplement individual efforts.
Building Sustainable Change in Everyday Decision-Making
Reducing single-use plastics does not have to be radical. The five steps above can be embraced in stages, allowing you to develop green behaviors gradually. Every step brings us closer to a larger shift in environmental awareness, illustrating how individual choice can have monumental effects across communities and the nation.
