Do You Think That These Are The Best Solutions For Your Problem?

Reduce Your Waste By Using Less Plastic Food Packaging

By Jaclyn Hurley


We hear constantly from environmental advocates about the amount of waste produced by modern society, and about the negative effects that waste has on the environment. Most people want to make a difference, but it is easy to feel as though that is impossible. With modern conveniences like plastic food packaging and bottled water, we often create waste without even thinking about it.

The modern lifestyle has made participating in the creation of waste almost mindless; it is more difficult to avoid participating. Still, you can build habits that will help you to reduce the amount of waste you produce. You may need to be more mindful, and spend a little bit more time on certain things than you are used to spending. However, you may also find that you will save some time and money in the long run.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you consume less plastic and re-use what you do consume. Re-using things helps to create less trash in the long run.

Re-use containers. Oftentimes you cannot avoid plastic containers, because no other option is provided. Almost anything purchased from a deli is going to come in one of these containers. The same goes for food-delivery orders. However, although you may not be able to avoid these containers, you can re-use them. Many of them are sturdy enough that you can use them for food storage, and therefore avoid buying Tupperware, foil, and bags that you would otherwise buy.

Re-use your plastic bags. Whether they are sandwich/ storage bags such as Ziploc makes, or grocery bags, you can save them and use them over again. Ziploc bags (or any other brand) can be simply cleaned and used again for their same purpose (as long as they didn't contain raw meat or anything else that might breed bacteria). Plastic grocery bags make excellent garbage bags for small trash cans, and can also be used as shower caps!

Many things, from tissues to snack foods, are sold in small, individually wrapped packages. These things are not only wasteful as far as packaging goes, they also cost more for less product. Instead of buying them, make your own, by buying a regular sized package and then placing individual portions in the sandwich bags you've saved!

Another good thing to avoid is purchasing a lot of individually sized sodas and bottled water. This is one of the hardest habits to break. One way to reduce this waste a little bit is to save the bottles you have. Next time you leave the house, take water or soda or tea with you in a bottle you are re-using. Then you will be less likely to purchase a new one.

Recycle. No matter how much you attempt to re-use your containers, there will be some that you cannot save. And eventually, you will have to get rid of all of them. When this time comes, recycle as many items as you possibly can. It is much better to send plastic to a recycling center than to send it to a landfill.

We produce so much trash on the whole that it's true, no one person can completely solve the problem. But every little change contributes, and eventually they can ass up to big changes. In the meanwhile, you can save some money and rest assured that you're doing what you can.




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