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Are you looking for effective ways to reduce the use of plastic?
If you are intrigued by living a more sustainable & plastic-free life, this article will provide you with easy & beginner tips on how to get started.
This lifestyle requires commitment and small changes in your everyday life, such as switching your plastic toothpaste for a bamboo one.
The ideas below are just a few ways that you can get started, and each has actionable steps, that you can start implementing right away.
Without further ado, let’s jump right to the 14 ways to reduce the use of plastic.
14 Ways to reduce the use of plastic:
1. Rethink what you really need
Have you ever found yourself, shopping, and buying things that it’s questionable if you need it?
I know the feeling. In fact, most of us have been there. It can happen with food, clothes, shoes, electronics, small gadgets, notebooks, pens, etc.
This can cause unnecessary clutter in your house and mind. While it is not the best thing for your pocket, it can also cause a lot of additional waste that can be prevented easily.
ACTION STEP:
Luckily, the solution it’s easier than you think!
1. Be aware
Whenever you are about to make an unthoughtful purchase, try to be mindful of it. Remember to stop yourself, before it’s too late.
2. Give it a bit of time
The best thing you can do is to set a week or at least a few days before you make the purchase.
So, simply leave the item and leave the shop.
In this way, you will have plenty of time to consider if you really need this particular product.
If you see you can live without it, or you have an alternative at home, then it’s really useless to buy a new thing.
2. Buy last-lasting things
Think about it, how many plastic bottles you bought for the last couple of years? 40-50? 100?
This is not only a bunch of money that you could’ve saved up, but it is also a lot of plastic waste.
And this is just one of the examples. What about:
Cotton rounds
Paper towels
Tissues
Baking paper
Menstrual pads/tampons
Plastic bag
Plastic straws
Food wraps
Cotton earbuds
Food wraps
The list can go on, and on. What can you do to fix this?
ACTION STEP:
1. See if you have reusables at home or if you can make some
Maybe you got something like a reusable bottle as a gift, or you bought it a long time ago. Even if it’s plastic, use it until it breaks or until you can. That also applies to other products.
Moreover, you can make DIY things, such as cotton rounds by cutting down an older towel.
2. Buy long-lasting products
Next, it’s best if you start looking for long-lasting items, that are durable and reusable. This will reduce a lot of waste and you will save you money in the long run.
So, switch the disposables with long-lasting or reusables (links to Amazon):
Cotton rounds –> Washable cotton rounds
Paper towels –> Cotton cloths
Tissues –> Handkerchiefs
Baking paper –> Reusable silicon mat
Menstrual pads/tampons –> Menstrual cup, reusable pads
Plastic bag –> Reusable bag
Plastic straws –> Stainless steel/bamboo straws
Single use cotton earbuds -> Reusable Stainless Steel Ear Cleaner
Food wraps –> Prepare your own food in reusable food containers
Related post: How To Save $5,337 A Year By Going Zero Waste
3. Start composting
It is another essential part of the 5R’s of zero waste, also known as Rot.
When you throw your food scraps in a plastic bag, they cannot decompose.
What is more, when they reach the landfill, they still can’t decompose. But what is the worst problem?
Landfill gas is a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organic material in landfills. It contains both methane and carbon dioxide, which are trapping heat in the atmosphere.
So, composting can reduce your greenhouse emissions drastically.
It sounds simple. And it is.
The truth is that composting is not hard even if you live in a small apartment! Bare with me, I’ll explain.
ACTION STEP:
1. Decide the composting method
There are a lot of different composting ways, that can be perfect for your situation. The first step is to simply read out 7 ways for apartment composting (they can be also done if you have a garden).
2. Prepare
Once you decide the method you want to try, get the needed materials, which in most cases are:
a bucket (or two)
some charcoal filters
compostable bags (optional, if you choose Countertop composting)
a blender (if you choose Blender composting)
Bokashi bran, a plate (optional, only if you choose Bokashi composting)
paper, worms (optional, only if you choose Vermicomposting)
3. Compost!
Once everything is set, you can start composting.
For much more details on how to compost, be sure to check this article.
4. Minimize food packaging
This really depends on your situation and how much of a choice you have.
If you are lucky enough to have a farmers market or even a bulk shop nearby, start shopping from there!
Just by that, you will probably reduce more than 70% of your kitchen waste.
Usually, from the farmer’s market, you can get all your veggies, fruits, sometimes they even some grains/nuts.
Then, from the bulk store, you can get the rest of the grains, legumes, nuts, oats, seeds, cooking products, spices, etc.
If there aren’t bulk stores around, you can find plastic-free items in a lot of supermarkets, too.
ACTION STEP:
1. ALWAYS bring your cotton bags (preferably the types that are in different shape and very thin & light) and jars
In that way, you can place whatever you are buying inside, without getting plastic bags.
2. Buy loose vegetables and fruits whenever you can
Most big supermarkets often have a section with loose veggies, and fruits.
3. Always buy the products that are in glass or aluminum container, since they are 100% recyclable
Then you can reuse some of the containers, to store different goods!
5. Use what you already have
This is an easy one, but oftentimes it’s misinterpreted.
If you decide to lower your plastic waste and to try to be (almost) zero waste, that doesn’t mean to get rid of everything unsustainable in your home!
First, use everything you have, even if it’s a single-use or products in plastic containers, and then start getting your reusables.
Do NOT throw it away, just because it’s plastic! It will be much worse if you do it and it will be even more wasteful.
Eventually, if you really don’t want to use something, try to find someone that might want – a friend, a charity, or a person in need.
ACTION STEPS:
1. Finish the products that you already have
It can be from a shampoo bottle to a pack of tissues. You already bought them, so at least use them. As mentioned before, if you don’t want to use something, find someone who will!
2. Once you are done with the stuff, start looking for getting some reusable, plastic-free, long-lasting products
You can find my huge list of zero waste swaps, including 142 zero waste products you MIGHT need!
6. Plan more
Try to plan as much as you can, in order to avoid additional waste.
Probably you will have some small fails at the beginning, at least I did, but with time, you will become better.
For instance, if you are going to travel, always be prepared with your reusables. Bring a small container, in case you want to eat something and you have leftovers, or if you want to buy food that they usually place in a plastic container, etc.
Also, the water bottle! Bring it with you and refill it whenever you can.
ACTION STEPS:
1. Plan in advance
If you are going on a short or long trip, prepare things that you might need, such as – reusables, cotton bags, etc.
That also applies to other situations, for instance, going to work/school/university. For instance, you can always prepare some food in advance, to avoid plastic waste from food wraps.
2. Don’t beat yourself if you fail
Especially in the beginning, it will be hard to remember everything you need to do. Remember that living a plastic-free life is a process. Mistakes will make you become better and better!
Image source: Lisa Fotios, Pexel
7. Observe (your trash)
Um, yes.
Why may ask why?
If you do that, you will become more aware of where your waste comes from. Perhaps, it might be a trash bin, full of food scraps. The solution?
Composting!
Or it could be that your guilty pleasure is a pack of chips or some other packaged snack, every once in a while…
Or maybe it’s milk cartons, food wrappers, cans, plastic bottles, plastic bags, etc?
Take a good look for a few days or even a week. Once you know where most of your waste comes from, you will be able to take action and do something about it.
ACTION STEP:
1. Figure out your trash
This will help you a lot to realize what are the products that create the most waste. For me, it was easier when I wrote a list in my notebook. I recommend to give it a try.
2. Find alternatives
Once you figure out that, then start looking for more sustainable alternatives.
Take a look at your list in your notebook and start one by one. Mark the one you find and then go to the next one.
Luckily, you can find alternative, package free and more sustainable products for almost anything.
Related post: Beginners List of Zero Waste Swaps
8. Just say, “No.”
Do not take things that you won’t use and don’t need. Simple as that.
That can be freebies, from a stranger on the street, or anything else from a family member/a friend. Or even junk mail!
If you won’t use it and if it’s a wasteful product, the best thing you can do is to say, “No, thanks.”
ACTION STEP:
1. Don’t be rude, but refuse whatever doesn’t serve you
If you say it nicely, nobody will think that you are rude.
Just stand out your point and if someone insists, just tell them that you are trying to reduce your waste and that you appreciate the gesture, but you don’t need whatever they are offering you.
Picture from EarthHero.com
9. Eliminate single-use first
This should be an easy task.
By now, you should know that in order to reduce your waste, you need some long-lasting items.
So, be sure to eliminate plastic bottles for stainless steel reusable water bottles, plastic bags for a reusable bag/a tote bag, etc.
ACTION STEP:
1. Make another list
Write down all the single-use stuff that you currently use. This could be from menstrual pads, paper tissues, cotton earbuds to plastic bags, bottles, food wraps.
2. Find an alternative
Pretty much like the previous approach, try to find alternative solutions. You might get surprised positively, by all the options you will be able to find.
10. Waste “wisely”
Having a 100% trash-free life can be quite difficult.
For example, how can you buy supplements/medicine, or even something from your everyday life, such as milk?
Yes, there are solutions; for instance, you can always make your own plant-based milk. But how realistic is that you can do it ALWAYS?
Sometimes, you might be super busy and other times, you might just feel a bit lazy to do it. But that’s the reality.
Just try to be mindful about it and to waste “wisely”.
ACTION STEP:
1. Do your best
Try to do as much as you can, and even if sometimes you ”fail”, don’t be too harsh on yourself.
2. Recycle properly
Even though recycling is a delicate topic, it’s always better to do your part and to always recycle properly. You can find out how to recycle metal, paper, old electronics, and different items.
3. Reduce
Try to reduce (if you can) the consumption of an item/product, that you currently cannot find an alternative and more sustainable solution.
11. Buy second hand
A huge part of living (almost) zero waste is second-hand shopping.
Why may wonder why?
The truth is that the fashion industry transformed into a huge waste generator. In just one year (2013), 13 MILLION tonnes of textile has ended in the landfills.
Additionally, a huge percentage of these items are made of a cheap synthetic material called polyester (aka plastic).
Instead of buying new clothes or other products, and contributing to the waste stream by the fashion industry, you can start shopping second-hand.
Related post: 16 Best Online Thrift Stores for Secondhand Clothing
ACTION STEP:
1. Check your local second-hand shops
Whenever you need something new, visit s few local second-hand stores first.
Doesn’t matter if its clothing or something else – they often have all different kind of goods!
2. If you are not able to find what you need…
Then check out some second-hand online stores! If you don’t know good websites, I have an article with 16 great websites for secondhand shopping.
12. Cut more of your plastic usage
This might be a bit overwhelming, as you will notice that the majority of things are wrapped in plastic.
Yet, know that slowly, you will be able to become better and better at it.
You will find shops that offer plastic-free things, such as bread, fresh salad, berries, etc.
ACTION STEP:
1. Always try to find glass & aluminum packaged stuff
This might be easier, instead of trying to find completely package-free stuff.
2. Look for local stores offering plastic-free goods
Regular stores might offer plenty of plastic-free items, you just need to look for them.
13. DIY products
It is convenient to buy stuff, packaged in plastic since they are often much cheaper than the once that are plastic-free and ”zero waste”.
And there are for sure people that are not willing to pay double for a product, that comes in a glass jar instead of plastic.
The truth is that oftentimes, the zero waste goods are also without any chemicals and bad ingredients, but still, it can be a bit pricey for some people.
So if you are not ready to pay $8-12 for a package-free deodorant bar, or $9-10 for zero waste toothpaste, there is still a solution for you.
Start making them by yourself! It is easy and you can minimize the expenses quite a lot.
ACTION STEP:
1. Start one by one
When you end your toothpaste, for example, don’t buy a new one but check my article that will tell you how to make your own toothpaste, using just a few (3-4) ingredients.
This can apply to any other product you run out!
2. Experiment
Don’t be afraid to try new things and test different recipes.
14. Adopt zero waste thinking
The whole point of the movement is to adopt ”zero waste” thinking, which often comes down to an aim for overall eco-friendly choices and living.
ACTION STEP:
1. Try to keep in mind the 5R’s of zero waste which are:
– refuse what you don’t need
– reuse things
– reduce and minimize your consumption
– rot (compost)
– recycle what you cannot refuse, reuse or rot
– plus, rethink what you need and try to repurpose things!
Conclusion
All in all, it is all about making SMALL changes and swipes in your everyday life.
Feel free to share in the comments below your favorite tip, cool zero waste swap that I missed out or the changes that are the hardest for you!
Remember, sharing is caring! 🙂
Pin or download the infographic, to use it as a reminder!
