It is not exactly true that the majority of plastics are recyclable. Most can’t be recycled into a similar product and they are actually “downcycled”. If you take a look around you’ll realize that plastic can be found in about anything, and everything and that’s a big problem because as we’ve said, not all of them are recyclable. Some plastic just gets thrown away, ending up in the soil of farms that grow our food, rivers, and lakes.
Clearly, it is important for each one of us to do everything we can to reduce our plastic use. It is not an easy task, but we should all give it a try. In this article, we are going to share some simple ways that will help you reduce the amount of plastic waste that’s generated every year!
Tiny Little Life Hacks To Reduce Your Plastic Use By 90%
-
Give up those plastic grocery shopping bags
The use of plastic shopping bags has been banned by many communities. Instead, they are encouraging customers to bring their own reusable bags. The plastic shopping bags come at a very high cost to the environment, although they may be free to shoppers in most places. So, start using reusable cloth bags, they are easier to fill and carry around.
-
Stop buying bottled water
One of the worst environmental offenders are the plastic water bottles. By giving up that bottled water you’ll save money and you’ll be potentially saving your health too. Why not carry a reusable canteen or stainless-steel bottle?!
-
Buy from bulk bins
You can save money and all the unnecessary packaging by filling up a reusable container or bag instead of buying items that are already packaged.
-
Take a thermos to the coffee shop
Bring your own termos, or a mug when you visit the coffee shop. The coffee cups at the coffee shops might look like paper, but they are typically lined with a type of plastic resin called polyethylene. Also, those lids and stirrers are all plastic too.
-
Avoid frozen foods
Frozen foods are highly processed, and loaded with chemicals and they tend to contain a lot of plastic packaging. The so-called eco-friendly packaged items made from cardboard are still coated with a thin layer of plastic.
-
Stop chewing gum
Manufacturers begin to replace natural rubber in gum with polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate after scientists have created synthetic rubber. So, if you chew gum, you’re chewing on plastic. Remember that you are tossing out more plastic into the landfill when you throw out your used gum.
-
Avoid using disposable utensils
Bring a set of utensils with you if you go on a picnic and stop using those plastic disposable forks, spoons, and knives. It is a great way to lessen your carbon print.