10 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Waste

There it is again.

This won't hurt a bit.

10 simple ways you can reduce your plastic waste

1. Don’t forget your reusable grocery bag in order to avoid grabbing a disposable plastic one at the grocery store. Having one handy in your purse, bag or in the trunk of the car makes it less likely that you’ll forget it when it's time to hit the shop.
2. Bamboo, steel or glass straws are great reusable alternatives to the everyday plastic straws out there  - keep it with you so that you always have it ready for your next smoothie or cocktail. And no, the glass ones won't break in your mouth - they're super strong! Keep on sippin', y'all.
3. Take away lunches can be eaten without any guilt if you refuse the single-use, plastic fork being handed to you, and keep a set of reusable cutlery with you instead. Bamboo can be harvested quickly and is a sustainable alternative to plastic. Bamboo cutlery sets are reusable, easily washable and super sturdy (no more breaking your fork into your lunch)!
4. Speaking of lunch… etee reusable food wraps & bags, instead of plastic wrap and food baggies are a great way to reduce the plastic that’s touching your food every day.
5. Go back in time and grab a bar of soap instead of the liquid soap in the plastic container that stands by your sink. While you’re at it make the switch in the shower too, using solid shampoo & conditioner like the ones that Lush makes. They're all just as effective as those suds in the plastic container, but don't have the waste that liquid soaps do!
6. Step away from grabbing a plastic toothbrush after your next dental check-up. Bamboo toothbrushes are becoming a common (not to mention sustainable) option. We'll admit, they are a bit more expensive than the plastic variety, but you can find bulk packs online that ring in at only a few bucks a piece! Not only will a bamboo toothbrush reduce your exposure to plastic, but also will break down once you’re done brushing your chiclets with it!                                                                   
7. Swap your plastic dish scrubber for a scrub pad made from plant fibre. The Safix scrub pad, made of coconut fibre is fully biodegradable & compostable, but still gets the job done when cleaning dirty pots and pans.
8. Thirsty? Next time you see a case of plastic water bottles at the grocery store, keep on walking by. Use a refillable water bottle, like the ones from S’well, and fill it up before leaving home for a simple way to reduce the number of plastic water bottles that you go through in a week. 
9. And while we’re on that note, don’t forget to bring a reusable coffee cup with you and avoid disposable cups & lids that you’ll be served your next cup of java in. Even better, make a pot of coffee before leaving in the morning rather than buying while you’re out and about.
10. Go bulk! Filling up at the bulk food bins in the grocery store is not only saving plastic packaging from end up in the dump, but it’s also saving some extra cash in your wallet! 

What do you do next? It's easy - choose 1 of the 10 tips on the list, and make the swap away from disposable plastic. Next week, try something new on the list!

Less waste and better for your health. You can do it!