How to Reduce Plastic Use Everyday & Keep Waste Out of Our Landfills

The Plastic Problem and What to Do About It

Plastic pollution affects humans because it’s in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Larger plastics break down over time and turn into microplastics, which infiltrate nearly every aspect of our lives. 

So what happens when we take the trash out? Our waste has three places to go: compost heaps, landfills/incinerators, and recycling centers. Composting is an effective way to keep a closed loop on organic and paper materials. There are many benefits to composting, and it’s a great way to get rid of used paper towels and toilet paper tubes. Landfills and incinerators are the worst place for our trash to go because they expel hazardous chemicals into local communities, which tend to be minority communities of color. Lastly, we can recycle our waste. Unfortunately, in 2017, landfills received 26.8 million tons of plastic because recycling isn’t as effective as we might think. 

In our second chat with the founders of Plaine Products, they mentioned that most of the plastic we thought was being recycled, actually isn’t.

A 2019 investigation by The Guardian proved that a lot of America’s recyclables are still ending up in landfills or incinerated, which negatively impacts the planet and people.

Even if cities do have proper buyers for recyclable materials, they can only be used once or twice again before they end up in a landfill. 

So what can we do? As consumers, we have the power to shift the needle on plastic pollution and make an immediate positive impact on the planet. Entrepreneurs are changing the game by sharing unique ways to reduce plastic consumption and other single-use items. By reimagining disposable culture, we can reduce plastic use and make a significant impact on both human and planet health!

Plastic-free on the Go 

Takeout containers and other single-use food and beverage containers are a primary source for the 269,000 tons of plastic pollution that’s in the ocean right now. Staying sustainable on the move just involves a little planning ahead. Next time you head out to a restaurant, throw some Stasher bags, beeswax wrapping, or glass containers in your bag. If you have leftovers, slide ’em into your own containers to avoid disposable plastic. Make sure to bring your own stainless steel straws to avoid plastic straws!

If you’re getting takeout from a restaurant, there are a few options to avoid packaging waste. First, head to the restaurant’s website to see if they have information on how they package food for carry out. Often, they’ll disclose whether they use compostable containers or not. When you place the order, ask what type of containers they use. If it isn’t something that is compostable, ask if you can bring over your own clean containers for them to fill. Otherwise, you might end up with a mountain of disposable plastic. Pro tip: Pizza boxes are actually compostable, so that’s a great zero waste takeout option to avoid plastic containers! 

If you frequent coffee shops, bring your own coffee cups. KeepCups are a great alternative to the often unrecyclable, non-compostable options. The same goes for your favorite cold beverages! Opt for a Klean Kanteen reusable water bottle and eliminate plastic water bottles from your life. Our friends at Plaine Products agree that this is a super easy first step to take in your plastic-free journey.

Plastic-free in the Kitchen

The grocery store is a great place to start reducing your plastic waste. In addition to bringing your own bags, look out for a bulk foods section next time you’re there. These allow you to use your own containers or cloth bags and simply weigh out what you need. This helps reduce plastic wrap from food packaging and allows you to purchase only what you need, which reduces food waste. 

Did you know that some cities and states charge you for plastic bags? Alternatively, stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Target incentivize bringing your own shopping bags by taking 5 cents per bag (or more!) off your total. Take it one step further by bringing your own reusable produce bags. These keep loose produce contained and eliminate the need for disposable plastic produce bags. If you’re in a pinch and need a bag, opt for a paper bag that can be put in the recycling bin or composted. 

For a totally plastic-free shopping experience, grab a reusable bag and hit up your local farmers’ market. The farmers’ market is a great reminder that some of the best produce is grown right in your own state and never needs plastic packaging. 

Plastic-free Home

There are plastic-free alternatives to everyday items like laundry detergent, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. If you switch to an eco-friendly toothbrush today, you’ll prevent at least 150 plastic toothbrushes from entering the landfill! If you’re ready to take the plunge on a zero waste bathroom, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is! 

For any home cleaning product, Grove Collaborative has you covered. In addition to a commitment to being plastic-free by 2025, they’re currently plastic-neutral. 

The key to eliminating plastic in the home is by making mindful purchasing decisions. Ask yourself, is there a better way to buy this product? Is there a less wasteful alternative or even just an alternative with less plastic? Just by starting to notice all the plastic around you, you’re taking a step in the right direction!