Plastic is wonderful; it’s lightweight and durable.
Unfortunately, its durability is a problem. Throw it away (many of us, myself included, do just that with at least some of the plastic we use), and it just sits around. Plastic in our water is a particular concern, and reports about the amount of plastic in the ocean and the damage it does are alarming.
We even put some plastic directly in the water without throwing anything away. Currently, you can buy facial scrubs with exfoliating microbeads made out of plastic. Rinse your face, and the beads wash down the drain. They can eventually end up in our waterways. The good news is that a law was passed in late 2015 requiring the beads to be phased out by mid-2017, so this should no longer be a problem in the near future.
But that’s not the only source of tiny pieces of plastic entering our water. When we wash synthetic fabrics, microfibers can wash out of our clothes and, since they are not trapped in water treatment plants, they can end up in lakes and rivers.
What do we do about all of that plastic?
Besides recycling what we do use, one of the best things we can do is to move away from using so much plastic in the first place. There are people who are trying to lead completely plastic-free lives, and I admire them for it. It does require a great deal of commitment. But there are small steps you and I can take to at least reduce the amount of plastic in our lives — and if you want to take on the challenge of going completely plastic-free, there are some great online resources to inspire you.
I am far from being a role model for plastic-free living, but here are some things I have done that have made a small difference:
- When I can choose between an item in a glass bottle and an item in a plastic bottle and the items are equal in terms of quality, I choose the item in the glass bottle, even if it costs more.
- Also, I try to give preference to natural fibers when shopping for clothes (not always easy to do).
- I have purchased reusable bags for sandwiches and snacks. They aren’t completely plastic-free, but they reduce our use of plastic baggies in lunches.
- Last year I was very good about cooking up large batches of soup and putting individual servings in glass canning jars. Just thaw the jars ahead of time, and you can heat up the soup when you’re ready for lunch!
- I try to remember to bring reusable cloth bags to the grocery store, and if I forget, I try to request paper bags. If I get plastic bags (including not only shopping bags but also bread and produce bags), I try to reuse them to pick up after my dog. That said, there are plastic-free alternatives to cleaning up dog poop, which I should make it a goal to try.
Something I haven’t tried but recently heard about: alternatives to plastic wrap that use beeswax. I’m also interested in Smile Squared toothbrushes. Although the bristles are nylon, the handles are bamboo, and the company gives away a toothbrush to a child in need for every toothbrush purchased.
I still have many ways to reduce my plastic consumption, but I’ve made a small start. Consider joining me (and maybe surpassing me!) as we work to end the problem of plastic pollution.