REDUCE Plastic Use in Daily Life
Reduce the use and purchase of plastic materials to reduce energy usage, raw materials and landfill waste. Since 1950, close to half of all plastic has ended up in landfill or dumped in the wild, and only 9% of used plastic has been adequately recycled.
Reducing plastic consumption can drive government policy and business commitments to eliminate unnecessary plastic.
Here are some things you can do:
> Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
> Opt out of plastic produce bags in the grocery stores, and bring your own grocery tote bags.
> Purchase household goods that contain no plastic packaging. Liquid soaps, which generate tons of packaging, for example, can be exchanged for solid bars.
> Filling in your washing machine before washing will reduce the number of plastic fibres being washed down the drain. In other words, make sure your machine is full – the more room clothes have to move around, the more likely it is that microfibres will break off.
What businesses can do: Invest in research for new delivery models without the need for plastic.
What Governments can do: Set legislation for minimum recycled content to reduce virgin plastic production.