The environment is suffering, and even though there’s a long way to go until we reach the state of betterment, there are things we can all do to make things a bit easier. Doing a bit on a personal level may not seem like much, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
It’s been well-known that plastic pollution is causing grave dangers to the planet, especially to marine wildlife. Therefore, reducing your plastic footprint is always a good idea, so if you’ve been meaning to live a greener lifestyle, then here are some tips that will show you how to live life with less plastic in it.
Find reusable shopping bags
Plastic bags you get at stores may be super convenient, but they’re actually quite harmful to the environment. According to some estimates, it takes about 500 years for a plastic bag to decompose, and unfortunately, many of them end up in oceans for good. That’s why choosing reusable shopping bags is such a good idea: they’re durable and can be used multiple times. Also, feel free to keep them in your purse, in your car, or anywhere else where you’ll be able to reach them when going shopping.
Replace single-use plastic items
A lot of things that we use on a daily basis are made of plastics. But, a lot of these things that we use tend to end up in the garbage after one use, which contributes to plastic waste. Therefore, replacing single-use plastic items such as drinking straws, q-tips, and wrappers with more sustainable, multi-use alternatives is always a great idea, especially if you’re aiming to reduce your personal plastic consumption.
Pay attention to your lunchbox
Lunchbox is something we use and need, so we rarely pay attention to it. However, preparing a plastic lunch, mainly for school-aged children generates a lot of plastic waste. That’s why instead of packing plastic utensils, it’s best to prepare regular ones that can be brought home and reused. Whenever there’s a discussion on how can we reduce plastic waste, it’s essential to point out all the benefits of using less plastic, especially when it comes to the environment, but also personal expenses. And preparing a lunchbox with less plastic, while teaching your kids to bring waste home for recycling is a perfect way to start a conversation.
Shop in bulk
A lot of products that we buy in supermarkets are made of plastics. Tetra packs, plastic bags, and bottles are all commonly found in stores, but recently, more and more supermarkets are allowing you to buy in bulk, meaning you’re able to bring your own container, jars, and bags and buy loose items using them. That way you’re minimizing the use of store-owned plastic bags and bottles while reducing the waste and encouraging recycling. Buying loose products is a great way to live a more zero-waste lifestyle, especially if you enjoy eating nuts, seeds or drinking a lot of tea. For example, buying herbal tea in bulk is always a cleaner and less wasteful alternative than buying traditional packaged tea that comes in teabags.
Conclusion
Shrinking your plastic footprint is important, as it helps the planet heal from all the waste and destruction that humans have caused. Even though these tips may seem insignificant compared to the general waste and pollution that happens all over the world, it’s important to keep in mind that doing only a bit is a big and beneficial step. Therefore, feel free to implement some of these tips, or to come up with your own, as long as you continue to use less plastic and take care of the environment.
