In our current society, we create waste all the time, often without realizing what we are doing. Most of use use plastic food packaging every single day. Theoretically, everyone knows that producing excess trash, especially trash that does not naturally biodegrade, is harmful to the environment. However, despite warnings from environmental advocates and despite having a desire to make a change, many people are at a loss as to how to put that desire into practice.
There is so much waste produced by common aspects of modern life that it is almost harder to avoid participating. However, it is definitely possible to figure out ways to reduce the waste created by you and your family. It takes extra thought and often extra time, but you will find that it gets easier as you get used to it. Also, you may find that you save some money in the process.
Here are a few tips for re-using things and reducing the amount of plastic you consume. This will, in turn, reduce the amount of trash that you produce.
Re-use containers. Oftentimes you cannot avoid plastic containers, because no other option is provided. Almost anything purchased from a deli is going to come in one of these containers. The same goes for food-delivery orders. However, although you may not be able to avoid these containers, you can re-use them. Many of them are sturdy enough that you can use them for food storage, and therefore avoid buying Tupperware, foil, and bags that you would otherwise buy.
Re-use plastic bags. This goes for both grocery bags and storage/ sandwich bags, like Ziplocs. The grocery bags can be used as trash bags for smaller garbage cans. Surprisingly, they also make great shower caps! Storage bags can be washed out and re-used for their original purpose. Unless they were used for raw meat or something else that could be dangerous, there is not need to throw them away after one use.
Avoid buying "individually wrapped" items. These things not only create extra waste, they also cost more. Instead, buy things like tissues, nuts, snack foods, and candy in bulk, and separate them into individual packages yourself, using the storage and sandwich bags you have saved from previous uses.
Another good thing to avoid is purchasing a lot of individually sized sodas and bottled water. This is one of the hardest habits to break. One way to reduce this waste a little bit is to save the bottles you have. Next time you leave the house, take water or soda or tea with you in a bottle you are re-using. Then you will be less likely to purchase a new one.
Recycle. No matter how much you attempt to re-use your containers, there will be some that you cannot save. And eventually, you will have to get rid of all of them. When this time comes, recycle as many items as you possibly can. It is much better to send plastic to a recycling center than to send it to a landfill.
No one person or one family can completely end the problem of excess trash we as a society produce. However, the more people who commit to making a change, the more likely it is that the change will have results. At the very least, you will save a few dollars and feel better about your own habits.
There is so much waste produced by common aspects of modern life that it is almost harder to avoid participating. However, it is definitely possible to figure out ways to reduce the waste created by you and your family. It takes extra thought and often extra time, but you will find that it gets easier as you get used to it. Also, you may find that you save some money in the process.
Here are a few tips for re-using things and reducing the amount of plastic you consume. This will, in turn, reduce the amount of trash that you produce.
Re-use containers. Oftentimes you cannot avoid plastic containers, because no other option is provided. Almost anything purchased from a deli is going to come in one of these containers. The same goes for food-delivery orders. However, although you may not be able to avoid these containers, you can re-use them. Many of them are sturdy enough that you can use them for food storage, and therefore avoid buying Tupperware, foil, and bags that you would otherwise buy.
Re-use plastic bags. This goes for both grocery bags and storage/ sandwich bags, like Ziplocs. The grocery bags can be used as trash bags for smaller garbage cans. Surprisingly, they also make great shower caps! Storage bags can be washed out and re-used for their original purpose. Unless they were used for raw meat or something else that could be dangerous, there is not need to throw them away after one use.
Avoid buying "individually wrapped" items. These things not only create extra waste, they also cost more. Instead, buy things like tissues, nuts, snack foods, and candy in bulk, and separate them into individual packages yourself, using the storage and sandwich bags you have saved from previous uses.
Another good thing to avoid is purchasing a lot of individually sized sodas and bottled water. This is one of the hardest habits to break. One way to reduce this waste a little bit is to save the bottles you have. Next time you leave the house, take water or soda or tea with you in a bottle you are re-using. Then you will be less likely to purchase a new one.
Recycle. No matter how much you attempt to re-use your containers, there will be some that you cannot save. And eventually, you will have to get rid of all of them. When this time comes, recycle as many items as you possibly can. It is much better to send plastic to a recycling center than to send it to a landfill.
No one person or one family can completely end the problem of excess trash we as a society produce. However, the more people who commit to making a change, the more likely it is that the change will have results. At the very least, you will save a few dollars and feel better about your own habits.
No comments:
Post a Comment