Check out these 50 ways to reduce plastic use and waste

Plastic is everywhere – in kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and landfills.

The average American produces about 287 pounds of plastic waste per year, which is about 860 pounds annually for a household of three, according to Earth.org, an environmental organization. Because the domestic recycling rate is about 5 percent to 6 percent, most of this plastic accumulates in landfills or the natural environment.

Plastic is bad for your health. Plastics pose severe health harms throughout their entire lifecycle. They expose the body to toxic chemical additives, such as BPA and phthalates, and microplastics, according to Standford Medicine. These particles and chemicals penetrate vital organs and are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive and developmental issues.

Making the switch to a lower-plastic lifestyle doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a few intentional swaps and habits, you can dramatically cut down on the plastic coming into – and going out of – your home.

Start small, such as storing left over food in glass canning jars instead of plastic containers. Then, try to add a new item weekly

The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, a health organization, offers 50 ways to reduce plastic use in your household:

1. Bring your own cloth bags to the store.
2. Don’t buy beverages bottles in plastic. Glass is great.
3. Carry your own reusable steel or ceramic beverage container. If they’re too pricey, use a glass mason jar. Heavy, but cheap.
4. Don’t get to-go coffee or hot drinks. Your drink lid and cup will live on for over 100 years. The lids and linings are plastic. Bring your own or ask for a ceramic, reusable cup.
5. Go to the farmer’s market and purchase fresh fruits and veggies not packaged in plastic.
6. Don’t buy convenience foods packages in plastic.
7. Avoid plastic tea bags.
8. Make your own bread or buy bread from bakeries that are packaged in paper.
9. Clean with baking soda and vinegar instead of cleaners packaged in plastic.
10. Buy laundry detergent in boxes, not liquid in plastic containers.
11. Buy fresh eggs in reusable paper containers.
12. Get your cheese from the deli and place it in your own container – glass or a plastic one that you already have, don’t waste what you already have – or get it wrapped in paper.
13. Buy your meat from the deli and have it wrapped in paper.
14. Package your leftovers in glass containers.
15. Bring your own containers to restaurants to package leftovers.
16. Use bar soap to wash your dishes. Dr. Bronner’s is perfect.
17. Use perfume in a glass bottle if you want a nice smell.
18. Don’t use air fresheners – they contain toxic chemicals including plasticizers.
19. Store all your food in glass containers. If you purchase something bottled in glass, clean it and reuse it.
20. Buy bulk cereal, bring your own paper bags.
21. Buy tortilla chips packaged in paper bags.
22. Buy bulk coffee packaged in paper or in cans or bring your own bags.
23. Buy milk in paper cartons.
24. Buy peanut butter that is packaged in glass containers.
25. Buy bar soap, not liquid body wash.
26. Compost your trash, reduce your use of plastic trash bags.
27. Line small trash bins in your house with paper bags.
28. When ordering drinks, say “no straws or plastic cups please.”
29. Buy real maple syrup in glass bottles.
30. Buy toilet paper that’s wrapped in paper, not plastic.
31. Don’t use plastic zip bags. If you need to keep things like half an onion, use a glass container.
32. Use cloth rags for clean up around the house, no paper towels – reduces your trash and need for trash bags.
33. Use matches instead of plastic encased lighters. They usually give them to you for free at the liquor store.
34. Use cloth napkins. They feel nice and reduce your waste and use of plastic trash bags.
35. Buy chocolate milk in a carton or apple juice in glass bottle if you want a fun drink. You can also ferment your own drinks in glass mason jars.
36. Bring your own bag to all stores you shop in and say “no bag needed, thanks.”
37. Put empty cardboard boxes in your car to transport heavy items to and from your car without a bag.
38. Say “paper not plastic” at the grocery store.
39. Don’t use plastic cutting boards. Use wood or glass.
40. Use baby bottles made of glass.
41. Use stainless steel sippy cups for kids.
42. Use cloth-based toys for your pets, such as catnip mice and soft squishy balls.
43. Buy cloth diapers. Many great varieties are available and are better for your baby. America fill a Super Bowl size hole every day with disposal diapers that will leach toxins into the environment for centuries to come.
44. Buy CDs packaged in cardboard sleeves or buy your music online.
45. Use junk mail and other paper to stuff into big packages to ship instead of bubble wrap or air-filled plastic.
46. Use real silverware for parties instead of plastic.
47. Use rechargeable batteries to reduce buying batteries packaged in plastic.
48. Make a compost heap to reduce your food waste and put it back into the earth.
49. Use a reusable cloth bag or old fashioned steel lunch box to carry your lunch to work or school.
50. Make your own yogurt in glass mason jars. It’s easy.

Consider printing out this list and posting it on your refrigerator. Good luck. Changing a habit takes an average of 66 days to become automatic.