Today, the United States produces far more plastic waste than can be recovered or recycled. As a result, plastic now pollutes the farthest reaches of the world’s waters.
Producers of plastics can make changes by creating products that are reusable, recyclable, and made with more recyclable material content.
Consumers can make better choices too, such as these suggested by the Natural Resources Defense Council:
1. Lunch smarter.
- Keep a set of utensils in your desk, and start refusing disposable plastic forks at your favorite lunch spot.
- Quit putting food leftovers in plastic containers – instead use stainless steel food carriers.
2. Take advantage of sharing opportunities.
- Try Freecycle Network, Craigslist, and San Francisco’s Yerdle.
- See if you can share fresh local eggs, travel experiences, bikes, car rides, or errands.
3. Ditch single-use bags.
- Bring your own bags when you shop. Several U.S. cities and states have passed bans on single-use plastic bags.
- Start refusing single-use bags, and use washable replacements.
4. Change the way you give gifts and wrap them.
- Help loved ones celebrate with more eco-friendly gifts and experiences. Check the NRDC’s list of ideas. You could also give tickets to shows, or the gift of your time, such as cooking a meal or helping with a household project.
- Start experimenting with reusable wrap – a gift in itself. You can also wrap gifts in any kind of paper – newspaper comics, pages from last year’s wall calendar, or old maps.
5. Jump on the steel straw bandwagon.
Try stainless steel straws. Keep one in your desk and workbag, or buy a set for the house.
6. Drink water – minus BPA and plastic.
Have a healthier year by discontinuing the use of plastic bottles and drinking water from a BPA-free bottle.
7. Get to know bamboo.
Buy products made from sustainably sourced bamboo, a great alternative to plastic throw-aways and wood products made from old-growth forests.
8. Join the Instagram #Litterati movement.
Check out Litterati on Instragram, which asks users to snap photos of litter, upload and tag #Litterati on Instagram, and recycle or throw away the trash.
9. The 4th “R”: Refuse
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and … refuse – 2014 is the year of “No, thank you.” You don’t need more throwaway chopsticks with your take-out dinner, or unwanted mail and catalogs. Read the Consumerist’s tips for opting out of unwanted mail, sign up for Catalog Choice, and practice the 4th “R” at local restaurants, grocery stores, and malls.
10. Set a no-buy goal.
Set a no-buy goal for a particular area of your life, and stick to it. For example, no morning lattes for six months, no new clothes until you donate everything you haven’t worn for a year, no soda or endangered seafood for a month, or no driving for a week. Or use less plastic and more reusable products in your life.
Large or small – choose a goal, and get it done. You can make a difference this year for the environment.
