Are you ever surprised by the amount of plastic a product is wrapped in when you buy it? It's not uncommon to find individual pieces wrapped in plastic, placed in a plastic tray, or tucked into a box with a plastic front.
If you're like many Americans, your recycling bin (and unfortunately, also your trash) is likely brimming with empty packages like these and other common single-use plastics each week. And while it's important to recycle as many of these items as you can, it's even better for the environment if you skip using them altogether.
Read on for inspiration on how you can reduce your reliance on these items and ultimately save yourself some cash, too.
Conduct A Personal Audit
We're not talking about your taxes or your bank account balance here. We're talking about taking an honest look at how much single-use plastic you use each day. When you really pay attention, you may be surprised.
Choose at least one day to keep a running log of every single-use plastic item you use - and try not to modify your typical habits and tip the scales. Choose a method that's easy for you, whether that's pen and paper or a notes app on your phone.
If you're feeling more ambitious, extend your records to track a whole week. This will help you capture an even more accurate picture of your routine.
Get Inspiration for Single-Use Swaps
Once you've got a rundown of the single-use plastics you're most likely to use, check out the list below for ideas on how to swap them out for more sustainable options.
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Drink containers. Plastic water bottles get a bad rap, but they're not the only culprits creating plastic waste. Consider how you can tweak your other beverage purchases to enjoy the drink of your choice without the waste.
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Iced tea. Swap plastic bottles of iced tea for loose tea leaves as a low-waste way to brew your own at home. You can go as far as buying an official iced tea maker or keep it simple by boiling water on your stove and using a tea ball infuser. You'll likely find that buying loose-leaf tea will quickly start saving you cash as well since it's typically lower in price.
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Milk. If you have access to a farmers market or local dairy, they may sell milk in glass bottles rather than plastic. Some of these locations will charge a deposit up front and reimburse you when you return the bottle.
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Carbonated beverages. If you often drink carbonated beverages, it may be worth it to invest in an at-home soda maker. One popular use of these is to make sparkling water. Because the syrups used to flavor the water are often cheaper than a case of sparkling water or a two-liter bottle of soda, the cost of the machine itself will quickly be outweighed by the savings.
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Snack packages. It's tempting to buy individually wrapped snacks so that you (or your kids!) can easily grab something to eat when your stomach starts grumbling. However, this often leads to significant waste as most of these packages can't be recycled. Consider these tips to switch up your snack packaging without sacrificing convenience.
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Package your own. It can be tough to find snacks that aren't packaged in plastic at the store. But even if you can't do away with plastic packaging altogether, you can reduce how much you consume by buying items in bulk. For instance, instead of buying a case of 24 individual servings of pretzels, buy a large carton and divide it into 24 servings yourself. If you look at the price per ounce of the item you're buying, you'll likely find that the bulk package saves you cash as well.
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Switch to reusable snack and sandwich containers. If you're sorting bulk snacks or food at home to reduce waste, you'll need to use something other than plastic baggies, or your efforts may be in vain. Shop around for affordable alternatives like silicon bags or glass food storage dishes. While you're at it, see what else you can do to stop using plastic baggies like buying a reusable sandwich container.
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Kick your plastic pouch habit. In recent years, plastic pouches of apple sauce, fruit puree, and shelf-stable yogurt have become increasingly popular among families with small children. However, these packages typically can't be recycled, creating a lot of waste. If these mess-free snacks are a staple for your family, it can be relatively inexpensive to buy a pack of reusable ones to use instead. While it's not as convenient – you'll need to make or buy larger batches of applesauce and separate them out yourself – you can still enjoy the grab-and-go convenience by preparing several at once.
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Toiletries. Personal hygiene products typically come packaged in plastic which can make it feel unavoidable to have these single-use items in your home. However, there are ways to work around the limitations.
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Shop small. Many small businesses use less plastic packaging both for the environmental benefit, as well as for reduced cost. Scout out local shops or markets near you to see if they offer items such as bar soap or even bars of shampoo.
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Buy large. Not everyone has the luxury of having boutique soap shops nearby. If your only option is to buy a mass-produced toiletry, consider buying a larger container. While there may still be single-use plastics involved, if you're considerate in your purchases, you can minimize how much you consume by getting one larger container rather than several smaller ones.
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Make your own. If you're willing to flex your creative muscle, you can make and package some of your own toiletries. There are countless resources online that provide instructions on making things like sugar scrubs, face wash, and even deodorant. Just make sure you're certain the source you choose is reliable and the materials you select are safe.
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Mealtime. Whether you're dining out or cooking at home, you have many opportunities to make sustainable choices.
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Skip disposables. Let's face it, no one likes to wash dishes. However, being willing to put some elbow grease in after mealtime can have a positive impact on the environment. Instead of plastic plates, cups, or utensils, defer to the reusable items you already have in your cabinet.
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Stock your desk (or car). If you work outside of your home, you likely pack or buy one or more meals a day. Avoid the need to grab disposable utensils by leaving some extra reusable utensils and dishes on your desk (or your car if you don't have an assigned desk or office). Then you'll have a spare if you forget to pack something you need, and if you're buying from a restaurant, you can politely decline to have them include utensils with your order.
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Pack leftovers responsibly. After your meal's end, if you find yourself with extra food, be prepared to package your leftovers in sustainable materials. Ditch the plastic wrap and use stretchy silicone lids or beeswax-coated fabric to cover or wrap your food, instead.
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Make a Realistic Plan for Incorporating Sustainable Items
It can be overwhelming to try to cut all of your single-use plastic reliance at once. In an ideal world, you'd be able to do so as soon as you decide to go green. However, sometimes it's just not feasible.
It's important to remember that the goal of this information isn't to make anyone feel bad. There are instances when single-use plastics may be necessary, such as for individuals without access to clean drinking water or with medical issues that require supplies to be individually packaged for health or sanitary reasons.
To avoid becoming overwhelmed or disheartened, look back at the audit you conducted and choose the most realistic and impactful ways to begin making a change. Maybe your work schedule and location vary so much that it's not possible to store extra utensils at a desk. However, you might be able to commit to eliminating plastic wrap and switching to reusable food storage containers for leftovers.
Go Green with PSECU
Reducing your reliance on single-use plastics is just one way you can make small changes that have a big impact on the environment. For more tips on how to go green, check out our resource center.
