Plastic is pretty cool stuff, and used right, it makes life a whole lot easier and more convenient. Unfortunately, not all plastics are made alike - and some of them should be avoided altogether. Beyond choosing reusable shopping bags instead of settling for disposable plastic shopping bags, which we at SDTN hope will soon go the way of the dodo, there are several things you can do to reduce your plastic footprint. In no specific order, here they are.
1. Say goodbye to plastic beverage bottles. Choose beverages in glass bottles, or better yet, bring your own beverages along with you in reusable containers.
2. Hot beverages in disposable cups with disposable lids should be given the heave-ho. Though flimsy, those plastic lids will last for 100 years in a landfill or in the ocean. Carry a stylish reusable beverage cup with you - if you use it every day, you'll save 365 lids from ending up in the trash.
3. Don't buy convenience foods, vegetables, fruits, or bread packaged in plastic bags. If you have no other choice, reuse the bags and be sure to recycle them. Either make your own bread or buy bread wrapped in paper; as for eggs, choose those that come in recyclable paper cartons. The same goes for milk.
4. Buy laundry detergent in boxes or paper bottles rather than detergent packed in plastic containers.
5. Try buying things like cereal, dry ingredients, and coffee in bulk. Bring your own paper bags with you to the market, and store these items in airtight glass jars or canisters when you get them home. Not only will this save on packaging, it will save you money - plus, nice glass or ceramic canisters look a lot more classy than plastic bags do!
6. Stop buying pricey liquid body wash in plastic containers - choose bar soap, instead.
7. Start composting, and try to reduce the number of plastic trash bags you use.
8. When dining out, order drinks without straws.
9. Use matches to light candles instead of using lighters made of plastic, or choose a reusable Zippo type butane lighter made of metal.
10. Instead of using paper towels for cleaning up around the house, choose reusable cloth rags made of biodegradable material. You'll waste less and the need for plastic trash bags will be reduced. Instead of using paper napkins, use cloth ones. They look and feel much nicer and cut back on trash and packaging.
11. Choose wood, metal, or glass kitchen utensils instead of plastic ones. This is especially true for cutting boards, measuring spoons, and measuring cups.
12. Having a baby? Say no to disposable diapers. Choose cloth ones instead. They're cute, convenient, and better for your baby - not to mention better for the environment. Buy glass baby bottles and stainless steel sippy cups, and choose cloth based toys over plastic ones.
13. Use real plates, cups, and silverware for parties and picnics instead of throwaways. Yes, you'll end up doing some dishes - but your get together will be classy and you'll be making zero plastic impact.
14. Carry your lunch to work or school in a reusable container. An old fashioned steel lunch box looks snazzy and protects food better than a soft-sided cooler.
15. Spread the word! Tell other people about the plastic garbage accumulating in the ocean's gyres, let them know about the harmful chemicals plastic contains, and lead by example.
Try to avoid throwing plastics away. If you do use them, be sure to recycle them, and try to re-use them before that. For example, plastic yogurt containers make great pots for starting plants (poke holes in the bottom first for drainage). Be sure to follow your community's recycling rules - anything that doesn't meet standards will probably end up in the landfill. While it does take a little effort to make these changes, you'll ultimately be glad you did. It feels great to help the planet, even a little bit at a time!