10 Ways To Reduce Plastic Waste At Home

10 Ways To Reduce Plastic Waste At Home

Anh Ha |

We all know the devastating impact that plastic waste has on our planet. With more and more plastic pollution washing up on our shores and filling our landfills, it's time to take a stand against the problem of plastic waste. 

It can be daunting to tackle such an immense global issue, but you can make a difference starting at home. By incorporating just a few small lifestyle changes, you'll be well on your way to reducing your plastic waste footprint. 

Let's explore 10 simple tips to help you reduce plastic waste right at home!

Opt For Single-Use Plastic Alternatives

Making a choice to switch to alternatives that are reusable or compostable can have a significant impact on reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste generated in homes. 

For example, you can choose compostable plant-based straws instead of plastic ones. Or pick metal water bottles as opposed to disposable ones made out of plastic. Another action you can take is to choose sugarcane utensils over their disposable counterparts. Those are just some ways you can make small changes in your home that will help decrease the amount of single-use plastics produced!

opt for single-use plastic alternatives reducing plastic waste

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Avoid Bottled Water

Another popular way to further reduce plastic waste is avoiding bottled water. Drinking tap water instead of buying bottled water helps the environment by cutting down on the amount of plastic being produced and reused. 

Plastic bottles can take anywhere from 450 to 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, so it's important to do our part and avoid using them where possible. When you buy bottled water, you're likely drinking filtered tap water anyway—so why not save some money while helping the environment? 

Buying reusable containers or stainless steel bottles for your drinking water will help reduce the amount of single-use plastics that end up in landfills or oceans.

avoid bottled water reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Bring Your Own Reusable Shopping Bag

Reusable shopping bags are one of the simplest ways to reduce plastic waste when doing your everyday grocery shopping. By bringing your own bag, you can avoid using single-use plastic bags that take hundreds of years to degrade in landfills.

It’s easy to get started with this eco-friendly practice. Keep your reusable bags handy so they’re always available when you need them for shopping trips! Whenever possible, try to bring enough bags for all the items you plan on buying – this will help prevent you from having to rely on single-use plastic bags at the checkout counter.

Most stores now offer reusable cloth bags for purchase, but if you want to take it one step further, try our stylish EQUO tote bags. Not only will these bags last longer than single-use plastic bags, it also looks great and comes in an array of colors and patterns.

bring your own reusable shopping bag reducing plastic waste

More Homemade Cook, Less Plastic Food Containers

Another easy way to reduce plastic waste is by reducing the pre-packaged food you purchase and cooking more meals from scratch instead. 

Making homemade meals means less reliance on convenience foods in single-use plastic containers or bags. By choosing fresh ingredients and preparing them yourself, you can avoid much of the waste associated with pre-packaged food products. 

Not to mention, preparing your own meals gives you control over what goes into them – so you can choose healthy ingredients for a nutritious meal!

homemade cook reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

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Buy Second Hand

Second-hand items usually contain less packaging than new products, and therefore they generate less plastic waste. When shopping for second-hand items, you can look into thrift stores, yard sales, or online sites such as eBay and Craigslist to find a good deal while also doing your part in reducing plastic pollution. 

In addition to cutting down on the amount of single-use plastics that go into our landfills, buying second-hand items also contributes to saving money and conserving natural resources by reusing existing materials instead of producing more from scratch.

buy second hand reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Be Conscious Of Reuse And Recycle

Reusing and recycling plastic items at home is an effective way to make a difference in reducing our plastic waste. 

Reusing items such as bottles, tubs, bags, cartons, etc., for everyday tasks can help reduce the amount of new single-use plastics we buy. Reusable containers are also great for storing food and leftovers in the refrigerator or pantry. This means you don’t have to continually purchase cling wrap or zip lock bags often made from non-recyclable plastics. 

Recycling is another way to reduce plastic waste at home by ensuring that unwanted plastics are disposed of correctly in the recycling bin rather than going into a landfill.

be conscious of reuse and recycle reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Purchase in Bulk

Purchasing products in bulk is a great way to reduce your plastic waste at home. By buying items like food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies in large quantities, you can save on packaging costs and help to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.

In addition to reducing the amount of plastic waste from packaging materials, purchasing items in bulk can also lead to cost savings for you as a consumer. Due to lower production costs, bulk items are often cheaper than their individually-packaged counterparts. Furthermore, many stores offer discounts on larger purchases, so it's worth checking out what deals are available before shopping.

Take EQUO, for example; we offer eco-friendly cutlery and biodegradable straws in bulk. Our products can help reduce overall plastic waste by eliminating single-use plastics. Plus, the prices are affordable, so you don't have to break the bank to go green!

purchase in bulk reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

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Rethink Of How You Usually Store Food

Storing food in reusable containers is one of the most effective ways to cut down on single-use plastics, such as zip-lock bags or cling wraps. Investing in glass storage jars and airtight containers will save you money over time and keep your food fresh for longer. 

Similarly, opting for beeswax wraps instead of traditional cling wraps will help minimize your plastic use even further; these wraps are made from beeswax and cloth and can be used multiple times before replacing.

rethink of how you usually store food reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Bring Your Own Mug To The Coffee Shop

Another easy way to reduce plastic waste is by bringing your mug or tumbler when you go out for coffee. Every time you stop at the local coffee shop, bring along a reusable mug instead of a disposable cup. This small change will help keep single-use plastic cups out of our landfills and oceans. 

Reusable mugs come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials, so it’s easy to find one that fits your style and lifestyle. Many places offer discounts on drinks if you bring your own mug with you, so it can be a money saver as well as an environmental saver! 

Most shops are happy to fill up whatever size container you have with them, whether it’s a large travel thermos or even just a regular-sized ceramic mug.

bring mug to the coffee shop reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Avoid Using Cosmetics Containing Microplastics

Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that can be found in many cosmetics, are a major contributor to plastic pollution. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your own plastic waste at home, avoiding cosmetics containing microplastics is an excellent place to start. 

Many cosmetic products contain potentially hazardous materials such as phthalates or bisphenols, which can leach into the environment over time and end up in our waterways and oceans. Microplastics, on the other hand, remain intact and don't break down naturally as biodegradable materials do. This means they can travel long distances and cause significant damage to marine life if they enter coastal waters.

avoid cosmetics containing microplastics reducing plastic waste

Source: Internet

Reducing plastic waste in your home is an achievable goal. Following the 10 steps outlined in this article will make a positive difference for our planet. Let’s commit to doing our part and encouraging our friends and family to do the same. 

With everyone’s help, we can reduce plastic waste and create a healthier, more sustainable world for future generations. So let’s get out there and start making a difference!

Tags: buy biodegradable straws, where to buy biodegradable straws, biodegradable straws, compostable straws, compostable drinking straws, biodegradable compostable straws

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