In a world that’s all about “reduce, reuse, and recycle,” you may be racking your brain on how to actually do that.
Here are a few ways you can try to use less plastic:
1. Reusable containers
Many of us have been guilty of wrapping leftovers in cellophane. There is a solution that is just as efficient but also eco-friendly. One solution is swapping out the brown lunch bags and plastic wrap or bags for a lunch box and washable sandwich bags.
You can find reusable food storage bags in many stores and online. You can use them, clean them, reuse them, and repeat.
2. Consider a water filter
Another convenience is bottled water. Just imagine how many waters come in an individual pack (6,12, 24, 30), and imagine how many households worldwide are purchasing them. Suffice to say, there are a lot of plastic water bottles, and many of them never find their way to a recycling bin.
Consider buying a water filter. Some filters come in pitcher form, purifying the water as you pour it into the pitcher; other filters can attach to your sink, purifying it straight from the tap. Filters are cost-effective, only having to be replaced every three to six months (depending on the brand, type, and use frequency).
3. Reuse
You don’t have to leave it up to your local recycling plant to get in on all the reusing action. If you have an abundant amount of plastic or have some lying around your home, you can find practical applications for them. With a plastic bottle and a couple of spoons, you can make a bird feeder.
You can also take a larger plastic bottle, poke some holes in the top, and use it as a watering can for your garden. Not every piece of plastic has an added application, but reusing plastics in our own homes is one step closer to a greener household.
Plastics are all around us, and it is nearly impossible to avoid using them in some way. By tweaking our purchasing and daily habits just a little, we can drastically reduce our use of plastic.
