Simple Switches to Reduce Plastic Waste

Blog Post By: Skyler Klingshirn (summer sea turtle intern)

​Plastic pollution is becoming an increasing problem all around the world. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. Clearly this is a very startling statistic. While it is important to recycle, in 2014 only about 10% of discarded plastic was actually recycled in America and with how much plastic we use in our day to day lives, we are now at the point where more needs to be done. I am especially passionate about reducing my own plastic use because I have seen on multiple beaches and areas all the single use plastic and waste that gets left behind to pollute our ocean. Recently, I have started making simple changes in my life to try to reduce my use of plastic as much as possible and I am going to share 7 simple switches you can make too!

1. Reusable Grocery Bags

If you’re like me, you never know what to do with those thin, plastic grocery bags that somehow end up all over your house after shopping. A few months ago, I decided I was going to invest in my own reusable grocery bags. I went online and ordered a few for myself for only about $10 a bag. There are all sorts of designs and patterns out there, so you can get any style you like. I like to keep one or two in my car and the others in my house so if I happen to be out running errands and need to stop at the store, I always have a bag with me. This switch reduces waste and prevents the clutter of those plastic grocery bags in your house.

2. To-Go Ware
Single-use plastic silverware is one of the top 10 finds of trash by the Ocean Conservancy. A lot of times when we’re in a rush, we need to stop by the store or a fast food restaurant to pick up a snack, however, with the convenience of fast food comes single-use silverware. To avoid this problem, I keep a pack of To-Go Ware in my car or attached to my keys whenever I am out running errands. To-Go Ware includes a bamboo fork, spoon, knife, and set of chopsticks in a little case that makes it easy to take with you anywhere that can be washed when you get back home to be used again.

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​3. Metal Straws
I think we all have seen that sad video of a plastic straw stuck inside a sea turtle’s nose and how painful it was to get it out. Of course, that image has stuck with me, so I bought a pack of four metal straws only for a few dollars.  I am able to keep one in my car, in my purse, and in my room so I have one whenever I want a straw or may encounter a plastic one so I can make a swap. The pack I bought even came with a cleaning tool so you can keep them clean and use them over and over again.

4. Reusable Produce Bags
This is a switch I just recently made. Every time we go to the grocery store, we place our produce in thin plastic bags to go home, put away our fruits and vegetables then just discard the bags. I felt this was very wasteful, so I switched to reusable produce bags I found online. They are made of mesh with a drawstring, machine washable, and were inexpensive. I now just keep them in my reusable grocery bags, so I have them with me when I go to the store.

5. Reusable Snack Bags
I love the convenience of plastic Ziploc baggies, but I hate how, again, we use them one time and then they are thrown away. I often use Tupperware containers to carry snacks, but sometimes I only need a small bag and do not want to use bulky containers. Like many of my reusable items, I went online and found reusable snack bags that are freezer safe, dishwasher safe, and prevent you from constantly having to buy more plastic baggies. I now have a couple that I am able to use to bring snacks with me to work and I was even able to use one as a waterproof bag to hold my phone while out kayaking one day.

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6. Bamboo Toothbrush
While I personally I have not gotten my own bamboo toothbrush yet, one of my friends has tried them and loves them. In the United States, it is estimated that between 850 million and over 1 billion toothbrushes are discarded and end up in landfills every year. Toothbrushes made out of bamboo are made with biodegradable handles and bristles and are antimicrobial. I am planning on ordering some soon and am excited to see how I like them!

7. Buying foods without packaging
If you go into any supermarket, it is obvious how much waste there is just in the packaging our favorite foods come in. While there are some items packaged in plastic that cannot be avoided, it is possible to try and shop smarter. For example, a few weeks ago I went to Bi Lo for groceries. I was planning on picking up a pineapple, however, when I walked back to the produce section, the only pineapple they had was precut and packaged in plastic containers. At first, I was upset because I was looking forward to enjoying one of my favorite fruits after the store but did not want to contribute to unnecessary plastic waste. I searched around some more and found many other fruits that were not packaged and settled for a couple mangoes and kiwis. I had only had mango a few times before this trip, but figured it would be a suitable replacement for the pineapple and I now have a new favorite fruit. While that is just one simple example, trying out different foods that have no packaging or less packaging than your normal go-to foods is a great way to reduce waste and even discover some new favorite foods!

​While switching to no plastic right away can seem like an impossible task, just making a couple swaps here and there can add up to make a big difference. In today’s world, every little bit helps and hopefully you all are able to give some of these a try!