How to Reduce Other Single-Use Plastics

So now that you’ve mastered the art of sucking responsibly, you might be thinking to yourself: Huh, this reusable stuff is pretty darn easy. I wonder how else I can reduce my plastic consumption? Great question. To make a really meaningful dent in plastic pollution, we’ve really gotta clean up our acts. Don’t worry, we got you. Here are some tips.

1. Keep a reusable spoon, fork, or spork (if that’s your thing) in your car or at your office (or both). That way you won’t have to resort to the supply room plastics when eating your leftover lentil soup.

2. Stash reusable grocery bags in your car, your office, your backpack, and unicorn saddle bags. And if you forgot your bags, suck it up and carry that sh*t.

3. Be a good recycler. Only 9 percent of recyclable plastics actually get recycled. Look up what your local waste center accepts. You may be surprised that a lot of things you throw away in the recycling bin are actually NOT recyclable. Like ziploc bags. Because they are made from two different types of plastic, WTF?!

4. Buycott Plastic Water! Always use a reusable bottle for water fill-ups. There’s a handy dandy app called Tap that can show you where you’ll find the closest water oasis. Check it out!

5. Reuse stuff. Yogurt containers make great tupperware for that second half of a burrito you can’t finish. Cut up some old t-shirts to make rags. BOOM! Just saved you some $$. You’re welcome.

6. Plastic wrap does not get recycled. Try a beeswax wrap as a reusable alternative.

7. Use refillable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles. Check out Plaine Products, which provides packaging so you can send in your bottles when you’re ready for more.

See? It’s really not that hard. We have more alternatives than ever to eliminate single-use plastics from our lives and make a real and meaningful impact on plastic pollution.