Plastic is something that pops up in our everyday life. 300 million tons of plastic is produced each year. Only 10% of that plastic is recycled leaving the rest of it to be littered around the earth, in our oceans, seas, or in landfills. It is estimated that 7 million tons of plastic ends up in our sea each year. Plastic waste has a growing impact on our environment, animals, and us. It saddens me to see animals trapped in plastic, or mistakenly eating it. The landfills filled to the brim with waste are unsettling. We need to help reduce plastic and waste in any way possible. I have 5 ways to do just that! Click the titles to buy the products.
Plastic water bottles or Styrofoam coffee cups are used daily by many Americans. They are more than not thrown away instead of being recycled. Americans throw away 35 billion plastic bottles each year. Reusable bottles or cups are a great way to cut down on waste. It is also saves money in the long run. A good reusable bottle can last for years. Some are even insulated to keep liquid hot or cold for a surprisingly long period of time. Using a reusable bottle is one of the easiest to cut down your plastic waste.
Something that goes hand in hand is straws and bottles, cups, or mugs. I almost always get offered a plastic straw when I’m out to eat or getting a drink from somewhere. The US uses about 500 million straws each day. We don’t always think about the impact they these small objects have, but it adds up. They harm ocean wildlife, especially sea turtles, and many other animals. Not to mention they take about 200 years to degrade. Next time skip the straws or use reusable ones!
A lot of Americans, myself included, have a Keurig. Keurig’s are an easy way to make one cup of coffee, or the drink of your choosing. Every use takes a plastic K-Cup to make the drink. This adds significant plastic waste to our planet. A study found the amount of K-Cups that have been trashed in landfills could wrap around the Earth 10 times. Luckily there is an eco-friendly alternative! Reusable coffee pods can be bought online or in local stores. They work just as well as the normal K-Cup. All you need is your favorite type of coffee grounds to fill up the pod each use. This alternative could save us from a higher wrap around statistic.
Using a reusable shopping bag is a no-brainer. They are much more sturdy than plastic, so your groceries will never go flying. It is the easiest way to cut down on plastic. Plastic bags are one of the most common types of litter. They also effect animals who consume them. When in water plastic bags are commonly mistaken for jellyfish by sea animals. Using reusable bags can make a big difference. I suggest accumulating bags over the next few months and store them in the trunk of your car.
I can’t even count how many plastic bags, like Ziploc baggies, I’ve used over the years. They are convenient for packing lunches or storing food, but Ziploc bags are so bad for the environment. Most of the time you have to throw out conveniency and do what is right. Reusable food wrap is right. It is usually made out of cotton and enhanced with a few other things. You can use these wraps about 150 times washing them in between uses. It would be an adjustment to get used to, but a good one.
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