18 ways to reduce plastic in your life

by: Abby Meyer, Stacker

Posted: May 29, 2023 / 09:59 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 2, 2023 / 10:29 PM EDT

(WFXR/STACKER) — It's no secret that plastic is harming the planet, overflowing landfills, and polluting oceans. But what's not talked about enough is how we can reduce our use of plastic on a daily basis.

Humans have generated more than 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic waste since 1950, and while recycling efforts have grown in recent years, only 9 percent of it has actually been reused.

There are many simple changes we can all make to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

With the help of Stacker and Experience Life, WFXR shares 18 ways you can live with less plastic:

1. Invest in Reusable Items Glass or stainless-steel water bottle. People around the world buy a million plastic bottles every minute; In the United States, more than 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills and incinerators every day.

2. Opt for cloth Rather than disposable diapers. Americans discard some 20 billion plastic diapers annually.

3. Use Travel ContainersBring your favorite mug or travel container to the coffee shop for filling up. Some businesses offer discounts if you use this option.

4. Skip the Plastic StrawMany companies and states like New York have already hopped on this one.

5. Stock up on Reusable Grocery BagsPlastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Americans use and discard some 102 billion plastic bags annually.

6. Pass on Prepared Frozen FoodsThe packaging is mostly plastic or cardboard coated with plastic.

7. Don't Buy Chewing GumIt's pretty much made from plastic.

8. Use Matches Instead of disposable plastic lighters, use matches or invest in a refillable metal lighter.

9. Avoid Plastic WrapCover leftovers, cheeses, and other refrigerated food by using a dishcloth or parchment paper.

10. Cook with Cast IronInstead of nonstick pans. Teflon, the most common nonstick surface, is a fluoropolymer plastic.

11. Make Your Own Cleaning ProductsThey’re less toxic, and you can reuse spray bottles, eliminating the need for multiple plastic bottles filled with cleaners.

12. Decline Plastic FlatwareWhen ordering takeout, pick up bamboo or other reusable flatware for picnics and traveling.

13. Buy Food in BulkWhen possible and pack it in your own reusable jars or containers. You’ll save money and limit unnecessary packaging.

14. Bring Your Own Containers For vegetables and fruits to the farmers’ market, where you can refill them.

15. Pack Your Lunch Skip foods packed in single-serving plastic cups. Instead, make your lunch and bring it with you in reusable containers and bags.

16. Make your own Personal Care ItemsMix up your own hand salves, lotion bars, and deodorants instead of buying personal-care items sold in plastic containers. Coconut oil is a great base for all of these.

17. Replace your plastic containersReusable glass storage containers are great for leftovers.

18. Learn How to CompostCompost your food waste to reduce the number of plastic bags needed to haul it to the landfill.

While 18 changes may be too much to take on at once, you can always choose one or two goals to focus on at first. Any conscious effort to reduce waste is a win for the environment.

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