Reduce waste: live a plastic-free life with 3 simple tips. Contribute to a sustainable future and make a positive impact on the environment.
Living a plastic-free life is almost impossible, we know. From food packaging to household items, plastic is everywhere. However, the convenience of plastic comes at a high cost to the environment. A report from the United Nations estimates that approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. This is equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute.
With over 50 different types of plastic worldwide, it’s possible to say that it is uniquely problematic because it is not biodegradable. Most plastics are made from petroleum-based materials, so they do not break down or decompose naturally. Plastic can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics as it slowly breaks down. That’s why using less plastic is essential.
The best we can do to protect our planet is to decrease plastic consumption in our daily lives. In this article, you’ll find three simple tips to live a plastic-free life.
Tip #1: Avoid single-use plastics.
Single-use plastics are items designed to be used once and then thrown away. Examples of single-use plastics include straws, utensils, and food packaging. You can reduce this waste by adopting some simple actions in your daily life:
- Always bring a reusable bag to the store with you.
- Having silverware in your purse to avoid disposable ones.
- Carrying a travel mug to your daily coffee on the way to work.
If you want to combine being more healthy + using less plastic, you can also start cooking your meals more often. This way, you will avoid the waste of ordering in and takeout containers.
Switching to digital alternatives is also a good idea. For example: ditching plastic banks and gift cards. Recharge.com has various options for prepaid credit cards and digital gift cards. Enjoy them to decrease plastic use! This blog article shares ideas on choosing the best gift cards to present using less plastic.
Tip #2: Recycle and Upcycle
Both recycling and upcycling are important ways to live a plastic-free life and conserve natural resources. By combining both approaches, we can help to create a more sustainable future.
Recycling involves breaking down materials into their raw form and using them to create new products. It is a great way to deal with materials that cannot be easily reused or repurposed, such as plastics, metals, and glass. To recycle effectively is essential to know what materials can be recycled in your community and to sort them into the correct categories.
On the other hand, upcycling involves taking an item no longer needed in its current form and transforming it into something new, valuable, and useful. This approach reduces waste by giving old things a new purpose and keeping them out of landfills. Upcycling often requires creativity and DIY skills and can include projects such as turning old clothing into cleaning rags or making furniture out of reclaimed wood.
Tip #3: Spread the plastic-free life word
There are many ways to spread awareness and encourage change about environmental issues. It starts with educating yourself about making a difference and creating from home. You’re already reading this article, which is a great start (yay!)
Social media is a powerful tool for spreading awareness and searching for initiatives near you. For example:
- Volunteering for organizations to help clean the streets.
- Helping to plant trees.
- Participating in DIY workshops with recycled materials.
Give this first step
These three tips are an excellent kickstart to living a plastic-free life. They are simple and easy to implement and can, for sure, make a massive difference in the environment. A life without plastic doesn’t happen overnight. Commit yourself to start making small changes and see where it leads you!
