10 Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Use

Plastic products can change – and even save – lives, so they certainly have their place, but much of the plastic we use in our everyday lives is just for convenience. It is so ubiquitous in consumer products and packaging at this point that most of us don’t even realize how much plastic we use. 

Because of this, there are hundreds of big and small ways we can reduce plastic in our lives that include such simple changes as buying reusable sandwich bags and making our own salsa. 

Here are 10 of the easiest ways you can start reducing your plastic consumption today.

1. Reusable shopping bags – I think almost everyone is already doing this one, but it is worth mentioning, since it is such an easy way to quickly reduce your plastic consumption. 

2. Reusable produce bags – These have not caught on quite as well as reusable shopping bags, but I am starting to see them a bit more when shopping in produce and bulk sections. These inexpensive, mesh bags can be used for fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts. 

3. Reusable water bottle – There are still a lot of people regularly using single-use, plastic water bottles. Switching to a glass or stainless-steel water bottle that you can refill on the go encourages you to stay hydrated and saves you money while also reducing the demand for plastic bottles. 

4. Reusable coffee cup – The hardest part about this one is remembering to bring it with you when you head to the coffee shop. Most coffee shops use paper cups with plastic lids, and most folks who go to coffee shops go regularly, so more of these folks bringing their own travel mugs would significantly reduce waste. 

5. Glass food storage containers – Plastic food storage containers are common, but glass options are so much more durable that your children and grandchildren can inherit them and continue reducing the demand for plastic long into the future. 

6. BYO to-go containers – Once you stock up on glass food storage containers, bring a couple with you to pack up the leftovers when you go out to eat instead of using the to-go containers at the restaurant. 

Between running all over the county when I’m working and road trips with my partner, I end up eating on the go quite a bit. Rather than use the plastic cutlery that comes with to-go orders, I carry reusable cutlery sets in my purse. I prefer metal, and that is what I carry daily, but I also have a bamboo set for when I fly or know that I am going to the courthouse that day. 

8. Bar soap – Bar soap gets your hands just as clean without the plastic packaging that comes with liquid hand soap and body wash. If you want to go a step further, there are also shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and lotions bars. 

9. DIY body powder – Body powder and baby powder are so easy to make that there is really no reason to be purchasing powders that come in plastic containers. I mix one-half cup cornstarch, one-quarter cup arrowroot powder, and one-quarter cup baking soda to make my daily body powder. For home use, I use a glass sugar shaker from the dollar store. For travel, I use a glass spice jar. 

10. Trash can inserts – Invest in a few affordable trash cans with removable inserts for your bathrooms and stop using trash bags. You can easily remove and dump the inserts, which makes trash bags a waste of plastic and money. 

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a member of The Davis Group and a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.