It takes over 450 years for plastic to decompose. That’s why plastic alternatives are more popular than ever.
Cutting plastic is easier today than it was in the past. It’s also more important today than ever before.
Here are the best five ways to cut plastic, reduce plastic usage, or eliminate plastic consumption, including the best plastic alternatives.
5) Buy a Reusable Straw
You can buy reusable straws online for under $10. Most reusable straws are made of metal or bamboo. They provide a better ‘straw’ experience while being totally reusable.
Plastic straws continue to pollute oceans around the world. While some regions have banned or limited plastic straws, plastic straws continue to be common across America.
The next time you need a soda, a milkshake, or anything else that requires a straw, skip the plastic straw and use a reusable straw instead. It’s a better experience – and it’s better for the environment.
4) Use Reusable Produce Bags, Sandwich Bags, and Other Alternatives
You may take your lunch to work in a sandwich bag, a Ziploc, or other plastic bag. However, using reusable bags can reduce your plastic consumption.
Today, you can find reusable plastic bags sold online and in stores. These bags can be used and washed multiple times.
Alternatively, you can use recyclable single-use produce bags or sandwich bags. A paper bag, for example, provides the same benefits while being safe to recycle.
3) Bring Your Own Shopping Bag
This plastic reduction tip is obvious and easy, which is why it’s so widespread. By bringing your own shopping bags every time you shop for groceries, you can significantly reduce your plastic consumption.
Some regions have phased out plastic bags and require grocery stores to use reusable bags or paper bags. In many parts of the country, however, plastic bags remain ubiquitous.
Bring your own shopping bag the next time you go for groceries. Get into the habit of bringing your reusable bag into the store. It’s not just better for the environment: it’s also a sturdier, easier, and more secure way to carry your groceries.
2) Invest in a Good Reusable Water Bottle
Some people don’t like drinking out of a reusable water bottle because they don’t have a good reusable water bottle.
A bad reusable water bottle leaks, heats up quickly, and gives your water a funny taste.
A good reusable water bottle, on the other hand, keeps your water chill, is sturdy and leak-proof, and is easy to carry around wherever you go. Invest in a good reusable water bottle today and you’ll find it easy to skip plastic water bottles in the future.
1) Pick Food Products that Use Paper Packaging Instead of Plastic
Walk down the pasta aisle at your local grocery store. You’ll see some pasta with plastic packaging and other pasta with paper or cardboard packaging.
Paper and cardboard products biodegrade more easily than plastic products. If you can’t go to a zero-waste grocery store and use your own reusable containers, then try to pick groceries with paper or cardboard packaging.
Other Tips for Using Less Plastic
Other actionable ways to reduce plastic usage starting today include:
- Bring a reusable mug to the coffee shop. It’s 2021, and most coffee shops are happy to fill your reusable cup without issue. You pay the same amount for coffee (even less, at some places) while reducing your plastic consumption.
- Look for a zero waste grocery store in your area. Zero waste grocery stores allow you to bring your own reusable containers. Or, they use recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Either way, a zero waste grocery store can eliminate your plastic consumption.
- Avoid skin care items with polypropylene, polyethylene, and other plastics on their ingredients label. A significant amount of plastic in the ocean comes from microplastics, including the small plastic beads in your skin care products. Choose biodegradable alternatives instead.
- Buy a reusable razor instead of a disposable one. Reusable razors are better than ever. Instead of throwing a plastic razor in the garbage every month, you can replace just the blade instead. Some even use a straight razor, then sharpen the razor regularly.
- Use cloth diapers. Although they’re not for everyone, reusable cloth diapers can significantly reduce plastic consumption.
- Keep glass jars and other food storage containers for later use. Instead of throwing out your glass pasta sauce jar when it’s empty, clean the jar and fill it with something else. You can avoid plastic wrap, plastic containers, and other plastic food storage systems while minimizing waste.
Final Word
The world’s oceans are clogged with more plastic today than ever before. However, with a little bit of effort, we can change the future for the better.
By reducing plastic usage today, you can play a role in saving the planet. Fortunately, switching to non-plastic alternatives is easy today, and many companies offer superior non-plastic alternatives to conventional household items.
