Don’t we all just love soaking up the sun to the relaxing sounds of crashing waves on the beach, we don’t want to think about how the oceans and lakes have basically become a garbage soup, and most of it is plastic! Plastic waste.
See more: Shocking Bali beaches – Instagram paradise, covered in plastic
These are 7 ways on how to reduce/eliminated plastic waste from your life. Tips, recommendations
Look, I don’t want to sound pessimistic here, but this issue is getting bigger every day. Plastic waste is definitely something we should talk about. Our daily choices are dramatically impacting the waters surrounding our planet, lakes, rivers and untouched nature destinations, aren’t untouched anymore. You might think, what difference does it make? If I ditch the plastic bags when I visit the supermarket, is a drop in the sea since everyone else is still doing it? Well, my dear friend… it’s actually a drop in the sea, a plastic one, a little bigger than the drop. Since the plastic is composed of major toxic pollutants, it has the potential to cause great harm to the environment in the form of air, water, and land pollution, according to conserve-energy-future.com
The world’s population continues to grow, so does the plastic production, that is something that isn’t hard to figure out. North American culture was the start of the on-the-go lifestyle, and the convenience of it quickly grew worldwide. Coffee on the way to work, take out dinners and lunch meetings in the park require a large number of disposable plastics. Bottled water is in many people’s everyday solutions. Thinking of how they are saving money and germs since they didn’t buy an expensive Hydroflask and they aren’t filling it in their office bathroom. Well, I look at my
90% of plastic waste doesn’t even get recycled, so what’s the point? Where does it end up?
I have explained why recycling isn’t the right solution in my previous sustainability article
Unfortunately, it ends up filling our beautiful oceans, like creating plastic islands, rivers, waters, and land! It is uncontrollably everywhere, creating great problems for plants, wildlife, marine life and us, the human population. Milk cartons are lined with plastic, water bottles are handed out everywhere we go, and some products may even contain tiny plastic beads. Every time one of these items gets thrown away or washed down a sink, the toxic pollutants have more of a chance to enter the environment and do harm.
Trash dumps and landfills are unfortunate major problems, as they allow pollutants to enter the ground and affect wildlife and groundwater for years to come. Since plastic items are made for durability, it’s obviously not biodegradable, polluting land, air, and water.
See more: Ocean Waste Dumping Problems & Solutions
7 Solutions to reducing the plastic waste and starting to live the plastic-free lifestyle
The reality is that the only way the plastic waste problem can be addressed and solved is by individuals and companies around the world agreeing to apply practices that reduce waste on every level. As simple as it sounds, it’s really not that simple. But overall – DEFINITELY NOT IMPOSSIBLE. It starts with us, normal small individuals… and the market follows us, consumers. If we say no to single-use plastics and refuse to buy/use/sell them. Then will the bigger companies be basically forced to make some changes, right?
I’d like to invite you to try out simple ways to make small changes in your daily life, that will make an IMPACT. What we do, think and say as simple citizens, actually do make a change.
1. Distance yourself off disposable plastics
90% of the plastic in our daily lives is used once and then chucked away. Things like grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids, soda cans, and bottled water… It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or travel mug to Starbucks before it becomes a habit.
Check out my favorite menstrual cup!
2. Stop buying water 😉
You can do so much better… Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash (30 million every month, in BALI ONLY). Carry a reusable bottle in your bag, and you’ll never have to spend extra money on Voss or Fiji again… I personally love Hydroflask, since the water inside stays cold for days, and their colors are beautiful!
Buy your Hydroflask here
3. Cook more, eat out a little less!
Not only is it healthier, but making your own meals doesn’t involve takeout containers. I personally love to cook for myself and others, but that doesn’t mean I don’t eat out at all. A good sushi bar or a nice small French place and I’m sold! For those times when you do order in or eat out, tell the establishment you don’t need any plastic cutlery! Check out @seekingthrive Instagram & get some recipes inspiration!
4. Recycle (duh)
This one might seem obvious, but we’re not really doing a great job of it. Not so fun fact: less than 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled. Plastic bottles, paper, and alcoholic bottles ($$$) these are all good to go! Simply bring one more bin into the kitchen and make a rule of recycling
5. Buy in bulk and shop mindfully
Single-serving yogurts, travel-size toiletries, tiny packages of nuts, shampoo, dishwasher detergent or laundry soap, chia seeds and almonds… — consider the product-to-packaging ratio of items you tend to buy often and select the bigger container instead of buying several smaller ones over time! It might require a little more planning, but it will save you money and help the planet.
6. Period stuff.
This one is for the female side of my public. Are you, by any chance pending too much coin on tampons and pads? Or worse, are you sometimes running to the store at 2 in the morning, when your “friend” unexpectedly shows up at the door and you aren’t ready? Are you discussed by all the waste that goes out to trash every month and wonder how long before it bio grades? (years and year btw)
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, then you’re in luck. Because I’m about to save your day. Or should I say, your whole year and all the years to come, until you hit 50 something! Invest in a reusable cup! I love Ruby cup. It is a brand that I’ve partnered with about a year ago, with a mission to spread the word about reducing our monthly waste, as girls and making that time of the month a little easier. Purchasing a menstrual cup is a small, 12$ investment, that can last to 5 or 7 years if you take good care of it and holds a duration of up to 12 hours. I think that is one of the best things someone can ever think of. Buying your cup from
Check out my favorite menstrual cup!
7. Educate Businesses
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Talk to your favorite local restaurants and businesses about options that they can switch to for packaging, storing, and bagging items. Encourage the owners to follow the plastic-free trend. My friend Shondra and I have left notes, with tips written on napkins to some restaurants in Bali. Then sent them a DM on Instagram, just to make sure they got the message. Be persistent! It takes time and effort to make a change. Many companies are starting to come up with excellent low-cost replacements, such as bamboo utensils and straws or reusable metal ones in place of plastic ones.
We had just visited the very first zero-waste shop in Slovenia. It’s located in the center of our capital, Ljubljana and it’s the cutest thing in the world! I love the concept, and
That is all, all the tips on reducing the plastic waste that I have for you today. Please think about your daily decisions. I used to be so
#ecofriendly #plasticwasteissues #zerowaste #sustainability #recyclemore #plasticfree #vegan #organic #savetheplanet #sustainableliving #ethicalfashion
LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY
8 Comments
Amy Helina
One of my goals for the new year was to become more sustainable! We already don’t buy any bottled water, and we have SEVERAL reusable water bottles all for us including the kids to use. They use those throughout the whole entire year, and they’re even great for lake trips and camping. Ultimately they end up being easier, because it’s LESS to pack and less trash while we’re out. We make our own cleaning products and store in reusable spray bottles etc… Love this article!! Thanks!! 🙂
Alenka Mali
That’s a great step in the right direction, thanks for sharing. I am finding out more ways to live sustainably each year. it is a process, nothing more!