3 Ways To Reduce Your Use Of Harmful Plastics

If you’re wanting to make an impact on the environment in a positive direction rather than a negative direction, one of the best places to start is with rethinking your use of plastics. So many plastics are harmful to the environment because they contain toxic chemicals or won’t get brown for hundreds of years or more. So instead of putting more of these plastics into the world, it’s time to find ways to reduce the amount of plastic you use.

To help you in doing this, here are three ways to reduce your use of harmful plastics. 

Be Smart When Picking Plastics

For most people, getting rid of all plastic in their life isn’t really a possibility. So when you do have to use plastic, it’s best to be smart about what plastics or plastic-alternatives you choose.

According to Sarah Engler, a contributor to the NRDC, when you purchase something made from plastic, it’s best to choose a bulk option so that you’re not having to buy the same plastic product too often, which wastes more plastic. Also, if you have the opportunity to choose a plastic-alternative, looking for something that’s like plastic but is biodegradable or compostable should be what you go with. 

Commit To No More Single-Use Items

While you’re likely still going to have some plastic items in your life, one thing that you can try to commit to is not using anything that’s made from plastic and meant for just a single use.

The Green Education Foundation shares that things like straws, plastic bags, disposable water bottles, takeout items, and more are all products made from plastic that are meant to be thrown away after just one use. This creates a huge problem with plastic waste piling up all around the world. So rather than using these single-use options, try to bring your own so that you don’t have to rely on single-use items. 

Stay Away From Microbeads

Part of the problem with plastics comes from products that contain microbeads. According to Allyson Shaw, a contributor to National Geographic Kids, microbeads are tiny little plastic beads that can be found in many products that get washed down the drains of your home. These beads then make their way into waterways and can get eaten by animals who live there.

Knowing this, you should consider checking things like your toothpaste or other washes for ingredients like polyethylene or polypropylene, which are the plastics that make up these microbeads. If you see these ingredients listed, consider buying a different product. 

If you’re interested in how you can reduce your use of harmful plastics in your life, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this. 

Also, read about Plastic bottle homes.