Every plastic cup, bottle, bag, or packaging that you’ve ever thrown away is in a landfill or in the ocean right now, with the exception of a few that might have made it through the recycling process.
It’s easy to forget this – after all, out of sight, out of mind – especially if you live in a developed area where you simply throw garbage away and never see or hear of it again. But plastic has to go somewhere, and since it’s not biodegradable at all, it doesn’t just simply disappear.
Reducing your disposable plastic use isn’t just good for the planet; it can also have health benefits, and your wallet will see a positive difference too. Here are some of the best ways to reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use.
Ditch Bottled Water:
Most of us buy bottled water because it is convenient and let’s face it, it does taste better compared to water from the tap. But at what price? Plastic water bottles are causing a massive environmental issue as they’re dumped in our oceans and left to sit in landfills around the world. You might have seen photos of thousands of plastic bottles turning up with other trash items on once gorgeous beaches.
So, what can you do?
Check these water filters out; you can use them to filter your tap water and make it just as fresh and clean as the bottled kind. And, invest in a good reusable water bottle. Coupled with your water filter, you’ll have access to free, fresh water all day.
Say No to Straws:
Plastic straws are another issue for the environment. Typically, they’re only used once and in some bars, you might get several straws in your drink if you’ve opted for a certain cocktail.
Thankfully many businesses are wising up to the massive environmental concern caused by plastic straws and have switched to offering paper versions instead.
At home, you can invest in glass, steel or bamboo straws – they’re easy to clean and reuse, and you’ll save money without the need to rebuy plastic straws when you run out.
Ditch Plastic Grocery Bags:
Many stores have started charging a few cents for plastic bags to discourage their use. This is a trend around the world; in the UK it’s law for supermarkets to charge for plastic bags and donate the proceeds to an environmental charity.
But that doesn’t deter people from buying plastic bags. After all, they’re only a few cents and you need something to carry your shopping home in. So, what can you do?
- Hang onto any sturdy plastic bags that you do have and put them to good use rather than throwing them away. You can reuse them for future shopping trips, or use them for storing items at home.
- Invest in some strong canvas bags for grocery shopping.
- Keep your reusable bags in a handy-to-reach area of your car so you don’t forget them at the store.
With some simple lifestyle changes, you can drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic you use, helping to protect the environment, your health, and your bank balance!
