Simple ways to reduce plastic

Plastics are made from non-renewable natural resources such as crude oil, gas and coals. If this in itself isn’t detriment enough for our environment, it also takes about 1000 years for plastic to breakdown.

Globally we are producing and using plastic at a debilitating rate.

It is estimated that in Australia alone we use 3.92 billion plastic bags a year, which equates to 429,000 bags being dumped in landfill every hour.

But of course this is only a drop in the pool of our demand for plastic; you only need to look around to realise how wide spread our use of plastic is.

Plastic is not only a hazard to our environment, it may also be a hazard to our health. Plastic containing BPA have long been suspected of causing cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes and many other plastics are similarly suspected of leaching chemicals which may cause the same ill health.

Due to increasing consumer concern over these risks many products are now labelled BPA free however we should also look out for the recycle numbers 3 (PVC), 6 (polystyrene) and 7 (other – including BPA). These plastics are also suspected of leaching dangerous chemicals, are generally not high temperature heat stable (so should not be used to heat food), and do not recycle well. Plastics labelled with the recycling number 1 (PET) should also only be used once and may not be safe for use multiple use.

Don’t completely panic as many plastics are still considered safe.

Look for the recycle numbers 2 (high density polyethylene), 4 (low density polyethylene) and 5 (polypropylene), these are not suspected of leaching but always follow manufactures instructions for use and cleaning and where possible reduce your plastic use, after all it’s good for the environment.

Simple steps to reduce your plastic:

Switch to glass: glass jam or coffee jars can be re-used to store food or you can pick up ball jars in most supermarkets. These also have a fantastic vintage look.
Ditch the cling wrap: instead of covering leftovers in cling wrap store it between to ceramic plates
Opt for Stainless steel: heaps of great stainless steel lunchboxes, containers and water bottles are now available
Go Green: Green bags are a great way to reduce plastic bag use – keep them in the car so you don’t forget them
Re-useable food pouches and vegetable storage bags are available online for use at home and to take to the supermarket
Ditch the straw: from 6 months babies can drink from a cup, so I don’t see why adults can’t too

Many of these strategies will not only help you to reduce your plastic but also help you eat less processed and more whole and homemade foods.

“glass bottle” image from Shutterstock

118 Comments

- - jasminedann said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    5:40 pm
Thanks for the interesting hints and tips, Will definately be taking them into consideration 🙂

- - adriennetraynor said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    5:21 pm
There where some interesting ideAs on this post. Thanks for sharing.

- - mel1 said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    4:31 pm
Good article. I have purchased bpa free reusable storage containers and also glass containers and use these to store things in the fridge, have reduced gladwrap.

- - pastosy said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    4:26 pm
What an interesting read. Thanks.

- - meedee said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    3:20 pm
I remember back to the days of the glass milk bottles…then we thought it was such progress to move to the plastic but really its taken us backward 🙁
- memo replied
  
  18 Apr 2014 , 10:27 am
  agree, milk tastes so much better in a cold glass bottle.
- - maureen3 said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    3:17 pm
An informative and interesting article

- - bluedatchi said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    2:51 pm
In the Philippines, plastic is a #1 problem. Having said that, they now have projects using plastic as the main ingredient. Some involved shredding the plastics and a lot of processing involved to make into blocks, school chairs that are being donated to public schools especially those places that were hit by typhoons and storms. Some have even made boats from the 2L soda bottles they’ve collected when floods arrive.

- - maurya said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    2:30 pm
I also try to buy products with less packaging as most of the time it is just excess plastic.

- - mouse said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    2:14 pm
some great ideas to help protect our planet

- - walkaboutgypsy said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    12:32 pm
Living in the country and not having a council rubbish pickup , we as a house hold have to find ways to reduce the amount of trash we have , buying non packaged items from the supermarket helps greatly but also recyling every bit of plastic that does come into our home (some its hard to avoid) we keep containers and find a use for them around the home and also donate them to child care centres and kindergartens to use for craft , a ugly piece of rubbish is soon turned into something creative and a wonderful display of your childrens art .

- - kabes20 said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    12:11 pm
As a large family we are very conscious of our footprint and are always looking for war to be a bit more green!

- - cheezel said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    10:15 am
some really easy ideas that will fit easily into everyday life too. I also try to buy products with less packaging as most of the time it is just excess plastic.

- - ernie said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    9:53 am
i often forget i have a green bag in my handbag so use the store boxes to take groceries home – easier on the bus and the kidlett gets a craft project out of the box

- - beksmum said
  - 15 Apr 2014
    8:04 am
In Darwin they charge 10 cents per plastic bag to encourage you taking your own bags!