How I’m Reducing My Dependence on Single-Use Plastics
If you read the post about Steelhead trout, my new favorite go-to fish, then you know I do my best to uphold sustainability as a purchasing priority. Being a good steward of the earth’s resources has always been a core value of mine, ever since I was young. I take great pride in keeping my landfill footprint very small: I totally geek out on recycling, I compost all of my kitchen scraps (and I make a lot) through a local company that picks up from my front porch (shout out to Perennial City Composting) and I’m always scrutinizing and adjusting my habits to lessen the amount of single-use plastics in my life.
Think about that scene in “The Graduate” where Mr. McGuire pulls Ben aside at the party and tells him the future is in plastics. That was 1967. In the 54 years since then, we have become a society dependent on plastics. And we’ve filled this planet with our plastic waste. If you’re not horrified by plastics, then you apparently haven’t seen this: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/. Plastics don’t go away. They stick around, maxing out landfills, polluting our oceans, rivers and groundwater. They harm aquatic life, break down into small pieces that wildlife eat, and in turn sometimes end up in our own diet. Gulp!
Though this problem seems insurmountable, there are small steps that each of us can take to lessen the amount of plastic going into landfills and oceans on a daily basis. Here are three ways I’m trying to do my part:
1. I invested in a set of these reusable silicone zippered bags by (re)zip to replace the one-time-use seal-top bags that were getting used way too often in my house when we ran out of containers. I’m so pleased with them, I’m investing in more. (And just thinking ahead here, wouldn’t they make a great gift for the holidays?)
2. Before my waiter comes to the table with beverages, I try to remember to tell them to forgo the straw. And if they whip one out of their apron, I thank them, but turn down their offer. Instead, I reach into my purse and whip this baby out, a stainless steel travel-size straw with its own carrying case.
3. During the height of the pandemic, many of the grocery stores around here wouldn’t allow us to use our own reusable bags (which I always have a stash of in my trunk). And unfortunately, at certain supermarkets, baggers assume you want plastic and won’t ask first, and plastic bags are always well stocked at the self-checkout. When I can’t use my own bag (or forgot to bring one—gasp!), I make sure I ask my bagger for paper and I seek out the paper bags at the self-checkout. If they’re not tucked at your station, just ask the attending cashier.
These actions, as well as so many others, are easy enough, but sometimes we allow convenience or crowd mindset to influence our behavior. Especially here in the Midwest, you may feel like the odd woman out for asking for plastic alternatives, but believe me, when you take even small actions, someone else sees that and is encouraged to take action themselves. Be the change you wish to see in the world!
I hope I’ve inspired you to become more mindful of the single-use plastics in your own life and how you might lessen your dependence on them. Brainstorm with me here: how do you reduce your use of single-use plastics and what ideas do you have that you can start acting on now? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
xoxo Julie