We should avoid plastic for a variety of reasons, including its harmful environmental impact, potential health concerns, depletion of non-renewable resources, energy consumption, and negative economic impact. Plastic pollution is a significant problem that harms wildlife and marine ecosystems, and the production of plastic products requires the use of finite resources and significant amounts of energy. Additionally, some plastic products contain harmful chemicals that can leach into our food and water, posing a risk to human health. Reducing use of plastic can begin at home and it is easy to make substitutions.
Here are some ways to reduce plastic use in your home.
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1. Use reusable bags when shopping
Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping to avoid the need for single-use plastic bags. Not only can you use reusable bags to carry groceries, you can eliminate the need for plastic produce bags by bringing reusable produce bags.
2. Buy in bulk
Buy bulk food items like rice, beans, and nuts in bulk to avoid buying single-use plastic packaging. Buying in bulk not only saves in packaging and money, but also the money associated doing multiple grocery store runs, versus less trips.
If you have children, you can buy foods in bulk or full size packaging, and repackage in snack sizes without the waste using reusable containers. For example, instead of buying a big box of small snack bags, find a large size and put servings in reusable snack bags.
3. Buy loose produce
Buy loose produce instead of pre-packaged produce to reduce plastic waste.
You can also bring your own reusable produce bags for grocery shopping.
4. Reuse containers
Re-use containers for food storage instead of buying new plastic containers each time.
Switch to glass storage or stainless storage when possible.
5. Use reusable water bottles and straws
Swap out single-use plastic water bottles for reusable bottles to reduce plastic waste. There are lots of great options besides plastic straws. Say no to plastic straws and opt for alternatives such as paper, silicone, or stainless steel straws.
6. Shop second-hand
Shop second-hand when possible to reduce the need for new plastic products. Take advantage of hand me downs as well, by saving your children’s clothing or sharing with other parents.
7. Make your own cleaning products
Make your own cleaning products with natural ingredients to avoid buying plastic containers of store-bought products. You can buy cleaning concentrate or even cleaning solution tablets to make cleaning products with.
8. Switch to alternatives
Look for alternatives to plastic around your home. Things like a PVC shower curtain can be replaced with fabric shower curtain liner. There are lots of food storage options such as glass storage. Instead of plastic wrap, you can use reusable food wraps.
I am working on doing this! I know I use too many plastics. I’ll check out some of your items that you mentioned.
These tips will help me do better on the plastic issue. I do use reusable bags at the store.
I never realized how much plastic I go through until I actually started paying attention. These are all great tips too. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be holding onto these!
I think these are all great ideas. I do many of these myself. I especially love reusable straws.
I recently learned that there is plastic that can be recycled easily. I’ve been paying attention to the packaging.
Thanks for the advice. My daughter has been reminding us to make some of these switches as well as changing them out in our house.
Good tips and a reminder that we are all responsible for taking care of our environment. I do enjoy making and using my own cleaning products.
Wow, I’m feeling quite proud of myself! I never really paid much attention to how much plastic I was using before, but now I’ve learned so much thanks to your helpful tips. I’m definitely going to remember these and do my part in reducing plastic waste!
These are all fabulous tips and plastic bags are banned in Suffolk Count LI so we have not used those in a few years now psi also plastic straws BUT I hate the paper! They taste like an old paper cup that sat too long which is nasty. I don know why they don’t use bamboo straws that feel like plastic and they are the better choice but I am thinking maybe too pricey? Anyway… I am now using reusable produce bags too…and love eliminating plastics as much as possible.
I follow most of these tips when it comes to reducing plastic waste in my home. I love my reusable shopping bags.
I like using reusable items and repurposing old plastics to extend their use, these were great recommendations.
These are all great options. I hate how much trash this world accumulates. I really do try to cut down on our plastic.
What a really great and very helpful ideas you have here! Thanks for sharing this with us
I always use reusable bags when shopping and I am glad for that! I still need to work on reducing plastic but I am on the right way!
I’ve been doing this for years; I love all of this great idea of reducing plastic in our homes and in our lives too. Thanks for sharing this with us.
This is such a helpful post and I need to start doing some of these things!
I am glad to know about it! I really appreciate the tips you’ve shared and I found that so helpful!
Using reusable shopping bags is really helpful. It decreases the amount of plastic used at home.
Thank you for posting these tips. I use reusable straws and so does my family.
Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Yes these are super tips. My daughter and I love to shop second hand and use straws that we can wash to reuse.