Zero Waste for Beginners: Four Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Usage

Looking to cut out all the single-use plastics from your life? Maybe you’re thinking about living a zero waste lifestyle.

Whatever your reason may be, here are some easy ways to cut down on plastic usage.

Bring Your Own Reusable Straw

Fighting against plastic straws is a small but tangible way for people to say “no more” when it comes to the crazy high amount of plastic that we use as a society every day.

I have a set of stainless steel and silicone straws for at home, but I take my folding reusable straw with me everywhere I go – especially Starbucks.

Also, it takes seconds to wash a straw and many sets come with a brush to clean out your straws.

Swap Plastic Bags for Cloth Totes

Many states are starting to ban plastic bags from being used at stores as a way to curb how much plastic and plastic bags are used daily at places such as grocery stores.

Instead of using those plastic produce bags and shopping bags at the grocery store or retail store, keep a stash of cloth tote bags and cloth produce bags in the trunk of your car at all times. Just remember to put them back in your car after hauling your groceries in.

Invest in a Reusable Coffee Cup

Disposable coffee cups, which are mostly made of paper, are actually lined with plastic and therefore aren’t recyclable. In fact, they may be even worse than plastic straws.

Investing in a reusable coffee cup is not a great way to save the planet, but also your bank account as many places give discounts to people who bring in their own cups. The great thing is most of them are stylish and dishwasher safe!

Buy a Glass or Stainless Steel Water Bottle

The sheer amount of plastic that goes into making plastic water bottles, which are only used for one purpose, is appalling. Plus, we’re commodifying something that should be a basic necessity.

Reusable bottles may be kinda annoying to carry around, but you’ll be doing the world a big favor by not participating in the life cycle of unnecessary plastic.

Check out some Eco-Friendly products on Amazon here! Have a suggestion for other ways to lead a more zero waste lifestyle? Let us know in the comments!