7 Ways I Cut Down on Everyday Plastic (& Other) Waste at Home
Project 365, Day 153/365
I am far from perfect when it comes to the zero-waste game. I know I need to do better in many ways (can someone help me break up with paper towels?), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t small, simple swamps I can keep adding to my daily routine to break up with single-use plastics, for instance. I also am making a commitment to eating less meat. Did you know meat—specifically cows and cattle—are the number one agricultural source of greenhouse gas emissions? Yikes!
While it can sometimes feel like we’re all drowning in “what’s the point, it’s too far gone” climate change panic, or maybe even “I’m just one person, how much harm can I be doing, really?” there really are small yet impactful changes you can make to your everyday. I have.
This morning, as I stood in my kitchen pulverizing my daily smoothie, I grabbed my extra wide glass straw and thought, “hmm…maybe I should share this?” I did pause for a moment to examine the irony of buying something to reduce waste, but sometimes, that’s just how it works.
There are plenty of other things I try to be mindful of and do, but when it comes to everyday plastics, here are seven really easy swaps. If I can do it, I promise you can, too.
Glass Straws
I think it’s safe to say almost no one actually needs a straw. I mean…maybe for boba drinks, but really, straws are a luxury, not a right. We all know paper straws are absolute garbage, metal straws get overly cold or make your drinks taste metallic, and silicone straws are just kind of weird. If you’re a straw person, get yourself a set of glass straws. I recently bought this one with some extra-wide straws for things like smoothies and boba, and some regular-sized straws for all your other beverage needs. Oh, and I know what you’re thinking. They aren’t as fragile as you think.
Reusable Storage Bags
I used to have an embarrassing reliance on plastic zip lock bags. I’m a child of the ’80s and ’90s…it’s what we did. But thank goodness for reusable storage bags (oh, and beeswax wrap!). I bought a set of reusable silicone bags years ago that I can’t find anymore, but there are so many options nowadays, I’m sure a quick glance at some reviews and you’d find something that worked for your home. Stasher bags seem to be the gold standard, but they’re pretty pricey.
French Press Coffee
My Nespresso machine used to be my best friend. And while yes, they have a recycling program for their pods which I always used, I feel even better about my French press. It needs no coffee filters, requires no single-use additions besides grounds, and frankly, just feels like such a luxury. I’ve had this Bodum one for over a decade and it still looks pristine. Oh and if you need any coffee recommendations, the Ecstatic blend from Philz (which you can get coarsely ground specifically for the French press), is my absolute favorite.
Cotton Produce Bags
Any sort of reusable bag was banned during COVID, of course, but prior, I loved these things. I kept them with my reusable grocery bags, so I never forget them. They include a tare weight that you can ask the cashier to deduct from the total weight.
Buying Cleaning Concentrates
Here’s one of the easiest ones of all: stop buying regular cleaning products and instead, buy the concentrate version of them. For instance, I use Mrs. Meyer’s all-purpose spray for nearly everything that doesn’t require something stronger, and I used to buy the small, normal bottle over and over again. That is until I discovered they sold a concentrate that required a single tablespoon of product for a whole bottle. WHAT?!? I’ve had my tub of concentrate for well over a year, and it’s only halfway through. I would just use the previously empty bottle and refill it, but you could also pick up a glass spray bottle, too.
Homemade Nut Milk + Glass Quart Bottles
We don’t buy much cow milk in this house, but I do love making my own nut and seed milks. I’ve gotten really into hemp milk because you don’t have to soak nuts prior or strain anything. It takes me literally 1 minute to make a quart and it’s honestly so much better than anything store-bought. I store anything I make into one of my glass quart bottles (how cute are they?!?). To avoid needing a bottle brush, I just pop them into the dishwasher and bada bing, bada boom, they come out clean.
Just Say “No” to Takeaway Utensils
How many times have you ordered takeout, then tossed aside the terrible, flimsy utensils that someone at the restaurant shoved into the bag without thinking? Some delivery apps give you the option of requesting no utensils, which is so wonderful. If you don’t have that option, you could also just request in the order notes that they not be included, or tell the restaurant when placing your order directly. No longer do I have a junk drawer full of plastic-wrapped forks. (If you do happen to have a stash, as I did, it’s a really easy thing to offer to donate to a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter so they don’t go to waste in your home.) Oh, and if you regularly eat on the go, they sell travel-friendly utensil sets!
And that’s it. I’d love to hear what other easy swaps you do in your home to reduce senseless waste, and if there is anything here you think you’d be willing to try. We can make an impact, even if it’s one set of plastic utensils at a time.
See you tomorrow, FOAS.