How to Reduce Plastic Pollution? Here Are 10 Ways That Work to Reduce Plastic Pollution

Looking for Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution? We Have 10 Ideas!

Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem from the damage caused to the planet, animals, and their habitats to the unnecessary waste that accumulates in landfills and the frightening impact we are realizing that plastic has on our food chain.

While most types of plastic are recyclable and recycling rates are slowly on the rise, the best solution to the plastic pollution problem is to simply reduce how much plastic you use.

Here Are 10 Ways You Can Reduce Plastic Pollution

1. Bring Reusable Shopping Bags When You Shop – Instead of using disposable plastic bags, opt to make the switch to durable bags that can be used again and again. If you shop in an area without a plastic bag ban, you can reduce plastic pollution by bringing reusable bags. Even if you live in an area with a ban, such measures are typically not extended to department and even convenience stores so bring your reusable shopping bags wherever you shop.
2. Swap Disposable Produce Bags for Reusable Produce Bags – The thin film of single-use produce bags makes them tricky to recycle and they’re often not covered by plastic bag bans so bring your own reusable bags for produce and items from the bulk bins.
3. Pack Your Lunch in a Reusable Container – Give plastic sandwich bags the boot and pack your lunch in a reusable container. If you use a durable plastic container, these easy-to-recycle containers can eliminate the need for thousands of plastic sandwich bags.
4. Use either Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottles or a reusable aluminum water bottle instead of buying bottled water and you’ll drastically cut down on the amount of plastic trash generated.
5. Carry Your Morning Coffee in a Reusable Travel Mug or Stainless Steel Tumbler – these mugs and tumblers do away with the need to use plastic or Styrofoam cups, and most coffee shops not only fill reusable travel mugs, but many give a discount to do so.
6. Opt for Items Not Packaged in Plastic – Instead of liquid laundry detergent packaged in plastic bottles get the powered detergent packaged in cardboard boxes and when you get to the frozen food aisle of the grocery store, steer clear of TV dinners and other foods that come packaged in a plastic tray with a thin plastic film cover—this film is seldom recycled and takes up space in landfills.
7. Whenever Possible Use Items That Are Free from Plastic – Stick to items made from alternate materials whether metal, fabric, or wood. Sometimes it isn’t easy or even feasible to eliminate plastic but if you have to use items made from plastic, make sure it is durable and can be used again and again (and recycle it when the time comes).
8. Reuse Food Containers – Instead of recycling glass containers once you’ve used up the contents, remove the labels (to avoid confusion) and use them again for leftovers or homemade items. This will eliminate the need for plastic containers and storage bags.
9. Instead of Lighters Use Matches – Lighters are seldom recycled and are most likely to end up in landfills pretty much indefinitely. Matches on the other hand are easy to use, work just as well, and do not have environmental ramifications.
10. Be Wary of the Plastic You Use – Avoid purchasing items made from or packaged in plastics, especially plastics that are difficult to recycle, such as #3 (PVC), #4 (LDPE), #6 (ps), and #7 (other).

Are YOU With Us?

Plastic is such a major and necessary part of our modern lives (think how much is used in a hospital), but there’s no reason to let plastic completely permeate your life. There are plenty of things you can do in your everyday life that will reduce plastic consumption and by default all the negative impacts for which plastic pollution is responsible.

Do you have any ideas of ways to reduce plastic pollution that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments!

• Coffee Cups & Travel Mugs
• Eco-friendly Tips
• Shopping Bags