Five Simple Ways To Reduce Plastic Use

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a well-known phrase that applies to many aspects of our lives, but when it comes to plastics, it does nothing to truly help with its disposal. Improperly discarded plastic waste often washes into our oceans. We no longer see it, but it’s still there, putting marine life directly at risk.

In fact, a recent British study has dredged up numbers for the amount of plastic waste in our oceans. According to The Guardian, the study found about 358 foreign items per square kilometer of ocean last year—and 75 percent of it all was made of plastic. That’s roughly 269 items of discarded plastic for each square kilometer of ocean. How’s that for a reminder of our need to reduce our plastic waste?

The effort needn’t be difficult. Here are five simple ways to minimize your plastic usage—and likewise waste—on a day-to-day basis.

  • Say no to plastic shopping bags. One of the easiest ways to cut back on plastic is to take a reusable shopping bag with you to the supermarket. Make it a habit that’s easy to develop by keeping a reusable bag in your car.
  • Buy a reusable drinking bottle. Purchasing a long-lasting, refillable eco drink bottle prevents an enormous amount of plastic waste from entering the bin. An added benefit of many brands is that their bottles keep your beverages hot or cold for much longer.
  • Box it. Choose items packaged in cardboard boxes rather than plastic. Household items, such as laundry powder, are often available in both, but cardboard is easier to recycle than plastic, making it the greener option.
  • Buy bulk. Why buy multiple small packages of rice, pasta, flour or sugar when you can purchase a larger, bulk quantity? Bulk purchases reduce packaging waste and mean fewer supermarket trips for you—truly a win-win situation if ever there was one.
  • Reuse or repurpose glass. Sure, they’re perfect for storing sauces and condiments, but when they’re empty, why not use glass jars as flower vases, candle holders, or containers for other household items? The uses are as limitless as your creativity!
  • Avoid straws. Each time we visit a restaurant or bar means we use at least one—maybe more—plastic drink straws. Instead, sip your drink straight from the glass. If that’s unappealing, purchase reusable stainless steel straws.

If you’re a brand and want to offer consumers an alternative to plastic packaging, contact us and let’s talk.