6 ideas to cut down your plastic usage
1. Phase out plastic storage containers
Use a glass container instead. Glass is safer to re-heat, won’t absorb smells and it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals.
2. Try beeswax-coated wrap
Beeswax wrap is a great, reusable alternative to plastic bags and plastic wrap. You can buy it or make your own with some scrap fabric and beeswax.
3. Sip from metal (or glass)
Grab some made-in-America (to avoid exposure to toxins) metal or glass straws for your smoothie or iced coffee habit. Many cafes will pour your drink into a travel mug or tumbler, too.
4. Bring your own silverware
Carry your own set of reusable silverware or bamboo ware everywhere you go so you never need to pick up a plastic fork again. You can find silverware made specifically to be transported compactly—or just wrap up a set from your kitchen drawer.
5. Reuse your produce bags
Bring some mesh produce bags to the grocery store to get your bulk apples, potatoes, carrots, etc. instead of using plastic produce bags. Skip the plastic-wrapped produce, too and buy your veggies and fruit loose.
6. Use cloth diapers
The average baby uses 2,920 diapers a year. Switch to washable cloth and save thousands of diapers over your baby’s first years.
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Green & Healthy Maine is published by TheSunriseGuide, LLC. This article originally ran in the 2020 SunriseGuide.