Interesting Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste

Plastic waste is among the leading destruction to our planet. It impacts both land and water systems, threatens wildlife, and takes hundreds of years to break down. If we do not take action to reduce plastic waste, and educate our kids through interactive sustainability questions quiz and other efforts, these consequences will wreak havoc on ecosystems and human health. The great part is that we can all help conserve plastic waste. Here are some great ideas to use less plastic and be part of the solution.
1. Opt for Reusable Bags, Bottles, and Containers
Replacing single-use plastic items with alternative reusable products is one of the easiest ways to cut down on your plastic waste production. For example, instead of using plastic shopping bags you can carry your purchases in a cloth or jute bag. Instead of buying bottled water, bring a refillable water bottle. When ordering takeout, or packing food, use a reusable container. These minor changes can eventually make a tremendous difference in your plastic waste production.
2. Do not Use Plastic Straws and Cutlery
Plastic straws, spoons, forks, and knives are often thrown out after only being used for a few minutes, but will exist in the environment for hundreds of years. A number of restaurants and cafés are offering paper or metal straws now, and you can also carry your own reusable cutlery set when eating out. Simply ignoring single-use plastic items decreases the amount of useless waste produced.
3. Select Items That Use Minimal Packaging
Many items come over-packaged with plastic wrappers that usually end up in landfills. Accordingly, seek to buy products with little (or no) packaging or green packaging. Local markets and buying products in bulk are good options for reducing waste, and products are often packaged using glass, cardboard, or compostable materials.
4. Recycle Properly
Recycling is key to reducing plastic waste. However, plastics cannot always be recycled, and improper recycling may be worse than not recycling at all. Consult your local recycling guidelines to determine which plastics can be recycled and how to properly dispose of them. Cleaning and separating recyclable materials will help make sure those items don’t unintentionally contaminate other waste and will actually be recyclable when they arrive for processing.
5. Support Brands that are Plastic-Free
There are now lots of companies working towards more sustainable packaging and alternatives to plastic. If you choose to support brands that are environmentally conscious, you send the message that consumers will support brands that use environmentally friendly packaging. Look for brands with biodegradable, compostable materials, or made from recycled goods.
6. Avoid Microplastics
Microplastics are small plastic particles in personal care products such as toothpaste, face scrubs, and makeup. These tiny particles cannot be filtered out and eventually pollute our waterways. Would you check the label on the product to see if it contains poly & polymer or polypropylene and choose the natural alternative instead.
7. Compost Organic Waste
Many plastic bags and food containers are being used to move organic waste. You can save on plastic garbage bags by composting kitchen waste. A compost bin at home can keep your waste in check when it comes to being a responsible waste manager and generate nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
8. Advocate for Policy Changes
Governments and policymakers can affect plastic pollution significantly. Support changes to legislation that restrict single-use plastics, promote biodegradability and recyclability, and encourage businesses to utilize sustainable practices. Sign petitions and support environmental organizations for a broader scale of change.
Conclusion
Plastic pollution is an increasing issue, but the good news is each individual can make a difference. Simple changes in your lifestyle, purchasing choices, plastic waste management and recycling and advocacy, can help reduce plastic disposal. The most important step is to start small and stay focused. If everyone makes a contribution, we can have a cleaner and healthier planet for the future.