15 Simple Ways to Use Less Plastic

In honor of Plastic Free July, here are 15 simple ways to use less plastic and reduce plastic waste.

Plastic sucks. Like, really sucks. It's estimated that 8 billion TONS of plastic has been manufactured since modern plastic was fist mass-produced. Single-use plastic has infiltrated our lives and become integrated into everything we do. From holding our groceries, to allowing us to sip our iced coffee, plastic is everywhere, and it's killing our oceans, rivers and lakes.

The problem is, when you throw out plastic, it doesn't just go away. It can crumble into microplastics, which can contaminate drinking water, fish, shellfish and more. If we don't get our plastic use under control, it's estimated that our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.

Wow. That's a lot of plastic and a whole lot of bummer. Before you get overwhelmed and feeling like there's nothing you can do (hi, I feel that way all the time about these big environmental issues), there ARE ways you can use less plastic and do your part to solve the plastic problem. This month is "Plastic Free July," so I wanted to share 15 easy ways to use less plastic and reduce plastic waste at home and on-the-go.

How to Help the Plastic Problem

Using less plastic comes down to a couple of basic principles, and if you were a 90s kid like me, these will be very familiar to you: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Reduce single-use plastic use as much as possible with some of the 15 ways to use less plastic below.
• Reuse plastic containers as it makes sense, or repurpose some old glass containers to replace your single-use plastic containers.
• Recycle plastic and know how and what to recycle in your community. It's estimated that 91% of plastic isn't recycled. All plastic recycling has a number on it, which tells you what type of plastic it's made of. Recyclers use these numbers to determine what they can and can’t recycle. Numbers 1-3 are more easily recycled (things like plastic water bottles and milk jugs), number 4 (like plastic grocery bags) can be recycled at some grocers, while numbers 5-7 are more difficult to recycle (things like plastic prescription bottles and plastic cups).

1. Drink out of a reusable water bottle

This one is easy. Instead of grabbing a flimsy plastic water bottle, take your reusable water bottle everywhere. I love my S'well water bottle because it keeps hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold.  

2. Purchase reusable produce bags

I never realized how many produce bags I used in the grocery store until I started working on this article. With all the fruits and veggies we buy weekly, the plastic bags add up a lot. And did you know a single plastic bag can take 500-1,000 years to decompose? I've started to use less plastic bags by going sans-bags for items that have their own natural casing (like garlic, bananas and corn) and using these mesh produce bags for all other items.

3. Say "No" to plastic straws

When out and about, tell restaurant waitstaff that you'd like your drinks without a straw. At home, replace plastic straws with stainless steel, paper or compostable straws. I use a set of Greens Steel stainless steel straws and I love them -- I've also heard great things about these Food52 silicone straws.

4. Use beeswax wrap

Wrap up your cheese, fruits and vegetables in a sustainable beeswax-coated cotton wrap instead of plastic wrap. I use Bees Wrap and find it works just as well as plastic wrap, and it's compostable once it loses its beeswax coating. The wraps should last about one year when used several times per week.

5. Bring reusable shopping bags wherever you go

One of the more common ways to use less plastic is to load your groceries in reusable grocery bags. You may already have some of these lying around, but if not, I love Trader Joe's insulated bags or bags with reinforced bottoms so that your groceries don't squish against each other. I like to keep one that folds up in my work bag in case I have a lot to carry and keep a stash in my car trunk for when I inevitably forget reusable grocery bags at home. If you can't avoid plastic grocery bags, make sure you recycle them -- many grocers like Target and Kroger offer plastic film recycling centers at their stores.

6. Order less takeout

Takeout, while convenient, is not only less healthy than cooking at home, it creates a number of single-use plastic containers and utensils. Try cooking more and bringing your lunch to work. While you're at it, invest in some reusable ziplock bags so you don't use more plastic baggies.

7. Look for plastic-free packaging in beauty products

You may not have noticed, but your beauty routine is a hidden minefield of single-use plastic. Look for shampoo and conditioner bars like this set from Chagrin Valley, a sampler pack from Ethique, or any bars from LUSH's naked line and recyclable packaging like this facial cleanser from Youth to the People.

8. Give up gum

Did you know that gum is made from plastic?  Gum was originally made from natural rubber, but now it's largely made from synthetic rubber, in the form of polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate. Not only that, it could be made from toxic plastic--polyvinyl acetate is manufactured using vinyl acetate, which has been shown to cause tumors in lab rats. 

9. Make your kitchen plastic-free

Instead of plastic containers cutting boards and kitchen utensils, choose glass containers and wood or bamboo cutting boards, spatulas and serving spoons. Skip the plastic mixing bowls as well and instead use stainless steel or glass bowls.

10. Take the plastic out of your period

Try a non-disposable option like the Diva Cup or period panties to cut down on the plastic packaging that encases each individual tampon and pad, or at the very least, ditch tampons with plastic applicators.

11. Buy in bulk

Many stores, like Whole Foods or Sprouts, have sections where they sell  beans, nuts, rice and other grains in bulk. Not only does this save on the plastic packaging, but it can save you money as well because bulk items are less expensive by the ounce and you can purchase only as much as you need, to avoid food waste. Some cities also have bulk stores where you bring your own containers--simply search online for "bulk store + [your city]" to find one near you.

12. Bamboo toothbrushes

A billion (yes, that's with a B) toothbrushes will be thrown away this year in the U.S. alone, most of them plastic. Most of us will use about 300 toothbrushes in our lifetime. Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, opt for a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush or a toothbrush with a reusable handle.

13. Reuse glass jars and bottles

To the mamas out there, instead of buying expensive jars of baby food, simply reuse jars you already have and make your own. You can also reuse glass jars and containers that prepared foods like spaghetti sauce and salsa come in, and bring them with you to refill in the bulk section at the store. I also like to reuse glass bottles for my homemade kombucha, which saves me about $4 per bottle!

14. Ditch plastic utensils

Say goodbye to plastic knives, forks and spoons. Instead, keep a set of washable silverware at work or use compostable utensils.

15. Skip the disposable razor

Instead of tossing a plastic disposable razor every few weeks, use a razor that let's you just switch out the blade, or invest in a straight razor.

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