10 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Use of Plastics

It might seem like reducing plastics is impossible. It’s in everything around you. However, you’d be surprised the many simple ways that you can reduce your use of plastics. Here are some useful ways to kick the plastic habit.

1. Stop using straws. Sure, straws make drinking fun. However, remember that plastic straws are one of the most common pieces of rubbish found in the ocean.
2. Have reusable grocery bags. Stop using plastic or paper and bring your own cloth bags.  And you don’t need a plastic bag for most of your produce. Just place it loose in your cart. You can also purchase reusable produce bags. They’re usually made from cotton. They are available in our shop.
3. Get a reusable water bottle. Instead of buying plastic water bottles, invest in a single bottle. You can also find water bottles with built-in filters if you prefer filtered water. You can download  Refill app and support  national, practical tap water campaign that aims to make refilling your bottle as easy, convenient and cheap as possible by introducing refill points on every street and  raise awareness  for change to stop plastic pollution. There are now over 1,600 Refill stations across the UK in participating cafes, bars, restaurants, banks, galleries, museums and other businesses.  To support Refill app and get yourself bottle visit Chilly’s Bottle.
4. Use energy-efficient lighting. Lighting can take up a third of your entire electric bill. Use energy efficient LED lights or make headways in using natural lighting so you don’t need to have lights in your home during the day. 
5. Reuse your glass containers. Spaghetti sauce, jam, pickles and other containers can be washed out and used for bulk items like beans, popcorn, and nuts. Buy these items in bulk with a reusable cotton bag instead of a plastic one.
6. Picnic responsibly. Don’t use plastic silverware and avoid plastic take-out containers. You can use compostable materials instead or bring your own dishes from home.
7. Bring a reusable mug. Love coffee from the local shop? Buy a reusable coffee cup and bring it with you.
8. Save paper. Choose paperless billing for your bills to save trees used to make the paper and reduce the load on landfills.Cancel your newspaper subscription and read the news online instead
9. Upcycle. Instead of getting rid of your items made from plastic, try to find other uses for them. Drop them off at a consignment store or donate them. Make sure your plastic products have the longest life possible and keep them out of landfills
10. Recycle your beauty product pack. Recycle your empty  bottles & packaging, earn rewards and donate to charity! With your help, Terracycle  are able to divert millions of pounds of waste from landfills  each month. You can register here: TerraCycle. Participating is completely free and very easy. 

These tips are just the beginning of what’s possible. While you may not be able to completely eliminate plastic from your life, you can make a big difference. To wrap up, we’ll take a look at how to get started and make the transition to using less plastic.

How to Make the Transition and Use Less Plastic

While plastic is everywhere, cutting back may not be as difficult as you might think. Keep in mind that as you reduce your use of plastic, you’re also simplifying your life so there’s an additional benefit. You’ll save money, improve the environment, and life will get a little bit easier.

Step 1: Assess your use

Take a look at your lifestyle. What plastic items do you use most often? Chances are you’ll find that plastic bags and bottles are the biggest problem. Food storage like plastic bags and plastic storage containers are also a common household plastic.

Look at the containers for your household cleaners and personal products as well. Simply make a physical or a mental list of where you use an abundance of plastics.

Step 2: One small change

Once you know how and where you use plastics, you can choose one area to change your habits. For example, you can replace your plastic food storage containers with glass ones. Recycle the old plastic containers as they break or wear down.

Don’t throw them away. If plastic bags are the area you want to change, recycle the bags you have, purchase reusable bags and commit to never using plastic bags again.

Step 3: Repeat the process

Once you’ve made one small change and lifestyle habit, identify another change you can make. Gradually repeat this process as you continue to reduce your consumption of plastics. Start buying items that aren’t made from plastic and do your part to protect the environment and your family’s health.

Plastic will probably never be replaced. However, you can make a difference in the environment by reducing your consumption of the most prevalent and harmful plastic products. If you want to become even more involved in removing plastics from the environment, volunteer. Help clean up the environment and join community initiatives to reduce consumption.