If you read the Eco-Logical Moment last week, you may remember that I suggested five simple changes you could make in your everyday life to help reduce the amount of plastics we consume, therefore reducing the need to manufacture them.
If you didn’t read last week’s column, I hope you can go back and check it out. If you did read it, but hated it, STOP HERE and read something else. (SACS documents maybe? Which may make you reconsider your willingness to read this column). If you loved it (or even just liked it), read on because I have five more easy changes for you to consider. These are easy and while they may not work everywhere or for everyone, I say again, every small change we can make will matter since we produce more than 30 million tons of plastic waste in the U.S. alone each year.
- Buy from bulk bins when you can. Whole Foods as well as some H-E-Bs sell bulk food like rice, pasta, beans, nuts, cereals, granola and more. Opting to fill a reusable bag or container with these items will save money and packaging. Stores have various methods for deducting the container weight so simply check with customer service before filling your container. Many cotton bags made for use with bulk bin purchasing have their weights printed on them so it can be deducted at the checkout.
- Reuse containers. A variety of prepared foods, such as spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, salsa and many others, come in glass jars. These glass jars are handy for reuse to store food, to pack lunch and snacks in, or to use around your home in a multitude of other ways: store homemade cleaners and detergents, organize your home office desk or sewing/crafting room. If you have plastic containers from yogurt, butter or other foods, wash them out and use them to store other leftover items. Give up the plastic bottles and cups.
- Give up bottled water altogether (if you are wondering why, see the Eco-Logical Moment column in LaRevista dated 6/21/2013). Use reusable bottles and cups for your cold and hot beverages. Some coffee shop baristas will fill a mug or reusable coffee container that you bring from home—you’ll never know if you don’t ask. So, just ask!
- Opt for matches over disposable plastic lighters. Plastic lighters sit in landfills for years before even beginning to breakdown, not to mention the chemicals they may leach into the soil in the process. If you just can’t bring yourself to use matches, then at least consider purchasing a refillable metal lighter to help cut down on waste.
- Return reusable containers to the local grocer or farmers market. If you buy berries or cherry tomatoes from your farmers market or small local grocer, bring the containers back with you when you go. Some farmers markets are grateful for the containers or will fill them on the spot for your purchase. Additionally, some small local grocers will accept the containers back for reuse as well.
You don’t need to make ALL these changes, just one or two will do. If someone notices YOU making a change or doing something different, they may decide to make a change too. Remember, big change starts with each of us making small adjustments in our daily lives!