From grocery store bags to disposable water bottles plastic is everywhere. The more people use it the more harm it causes to the environment. Plastic pollution requires a lot of time to decompose. According to the World Economic Forum, more than 8 million plastic tons are dumped in the ocean every year. National Geographic calculated that almost 700 marine species consumed plastic. Other bigger problems like these can harm the environment in the long term. To cut that down, one needs to switch towards reusable and eco-friendly products like reusable bags, bottles and many other products that can be used more than once. You can cut down the use of plastic easily because there are many possible alternatives for this. They are as follows.
Reusable bags
Reusable bags are among the most convenient ways to go plastic-free. If you rely on plastic bags for the purchase of groceries or household items, then reusable paper bags will be of great help. It would be good if you carry some of them in your pocket or vehicle as you could be visiting these places frequently. Probably, many stores and provisional outlets provide paper-based or other forms of reusable bags, which you can preserve until your next visit.
Say no to plastic straws
Plastic straws are harmful to the oceans. There are many alternatives for plastic straws like bamboo, silicone, and paper. These straws fall under the category of environmental products. If you use straws at home, then you can switch to the above products, but if you visit coffee shops and bars frequently, then it is recommended to avoid the usage of straws.
Carry a shopping bag
If you shop often, then you can buy reusable paper bags. Paper bags are becoming popular among reusable household items. There are different types of reusable bags; paper retail bags, kraft paper bags, and laminated reusable craft paper bags. These bags also look attractive, and you can use them for varied purposes e.g a simple paper retail bag can be used for the purchase of household items, whereas a laminated bag with an attractive design can be used for shopping for clothes and cosmetics.
Avoid disposable plastic cutlery
If your motto is no waste products, then eliminating the use of plastic spoons, forks and glasses can help you achieve them. Consider carrying a durable spoon or fork wherever possible. Any kind of use of plastic is harmful to the environment, so even the smallest efforts will contribute to a healthier environment..
Say yes to thermal bags
Whenever you travel for work or leisure purposes, you might be relying on plastic bags to carry food, water, and other consumables. In such cases, you can switch to thermal bags. Thermal bags maintain the temperature of your consumables for a long time, which means you can enjoy hot and fresh food. Similarly, if you place any beverage, it will retain its temperature as well. Thermal bags come in different shapes and designs. You have multiple options to choose from.
Avoid bottled water
Plastic water bottles generate a lot of waste. According to the research, plastic bottles generate 50 billion tons of waste alone in the US, and 23% of waste is recycled. Many stations and airports have introduced a facility of fill stations. You can carry your own water bottle of stainless steel or any other material other than plastic
Avoid plastic coffee mugs
Over 1.6 billion coffee cups in Canada and 60 Billion in the US are wasted. This waste occupies a lot of space in landfills. Shift your approach towards using a thermos-style stainless steel mug. You can take it along while traveling. Stainless steel travel mugs are durable, and many of them are Bisphenol A (BPA) free. These mugs offer different storage capacities and also come in a variety of colors. You can choose it as per your consumption. If you grab a coffee daily, then with this, you can go plastic-free and adopt zero-waste living.
These are some of the eco-friendly ways you can adopt to minimize the use of plastic. There are many possible ways to live a plastic-free life and protect the environment by using eco-friendly products. Make sure that you do your part and give back to the ecosystem.
Author: Alfred C. Moore
