Last updated on July 13th, 2021
Plastics have become an integral part of our lives, with use-and-throw bottles of water, Styrofoam coffee cups and disposable straws – plastics are everywhere around us!
It might come as a shock to you that more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic end up as waste in our oceans! It’s about time we did something about this, don’t you think?
Here’s a list of a few simple changes that we can incorporate into our daily life, to help us reduce our carbon footprint and do our bit in trying to save our planet!
1. Say No To Disposable Straws
Say ‘no’ to straws, whether you’re in a fast-food joint or having a cocktail. The drink will taste the same! If you just can’t do without straws buy a stainless-steel straw and get used to carrying it with you.
2. Buy A Reusable Coffee Cup
Carry your own reusable coffee cup whether you are planning to stop at the local coffee outlet or going to work. A good idea is to use an insulated one, that can keep your drink hot for hours.
3. Stop using Ear-buds
Research has it that using earbuds to poke the inside of your ears with, is a really bad idea. They also happen to generate loads of plastic waste. So why not give them up? For mother nature if not for your own sake.
4. Shop In Bulk
Do your grocery shopping in bulk. Not only will it mean buying for lesser and avoiding several trips to the store, you’ll help save a lot in packaging, which means – less plastic use!
5. Always Carry A Reusable Shopping Bag
Always keep a reusable shopping bag with you, just in case you need to make an unplanned shopping trip. You will also save money on the bags that the store charges you for!
6. Try using A Menstrual Cup
If you use tampons and sanitary napkins every month, it might be time to switch to a way more convenient, healthy, and eco-friendly option – the menstrual cup. You may have teething troubles, but once you get a hang of how to use it, it is way more economical and convenient.
7. When Ordering Food, Tell The Restaurant You Don’t Need Cutlery
Bet you never gave this much thought! But with stainless steel cutlery at home, who would want to eat with plastic cutlery?
8. Avoid Taking Receipts
Unlike what you might like to think, many receipts are coated with a layer of plastic and cannot be recycled! How about giving them a miss, next time you don’t really need one?
9. Buy Loose Fruits And Veggies
Many supermarkets wrap their fruits and vegetables in plastic to make them look good. Do mother nature a favor and opt for the loose ones instead. And put them inside your basket or reusable bag at checkout.
10. Use Loose-Leaf Tea
If you love your morning cup of tea, try switching to loose-leaf tea, as even the harmless-looking teabags contain plastic particles.
11. Don’t Use Clingfilm Or Sealable Plastic Bags
Be kind to the environment and keep your leftovers, cut fruits, and veggies in reusable containers rather than keeping them in plastic sealable bags or wrapping them in clingfilm.
12. Carry A Reusable Water Bottle
Instead of buying plastic use-and-throw bottles of water when you’re out and about, carry your own reusable water bottle from home. You can refill it wherever you are – at work, hospitals, at the gym, or even local cafes.