By Charmaine Peters

The start of the new year is a great time to develop healthier habits for ourselves and the planet. Simple changes in our daily routines, like reducing the use of single-use plastics, can collectively make a substantial impact on the environment.

Every year, the world generates over 450 million tons of plastic, which lasts much longer than our lifetimes. They could end up in the ocean or landfills, taking years to break down— plastic bags take 20 years, takeaway coffee cups take about 30 years, plastic straws take 200 years, plastic bottles and cups take 450 years, and plastic toothbrushes take 500 years. If we don’t take serious action in reducing it, we will jeopardize the well-being of our ecosystems and future generations. (Below: plastic that ends up in the ocean).

For a clear reminder of our commitment, here’s an acronym of “PLASTIC WASTE,” outlining common plastic items, along with some practical tips on how to reduce their use this year and beyond:

Plastic bags: Carry your own reusable shopping eco-bags when shopping. Always keep a tote bag or foldable bag in your car, purse, or backpack for easy access when you head to the grocery store. Use cloth bags instead of plastics when buying fruits and vegetables at supermarkets.

Liquid bottles: Instead of plastic bottles,invest in a durable and reusable bottle or tumbler made of stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastic to refill it throughout the day. When purchasing liquids, such as juice or cooking oil, select those in larger containers instead of individual small bottles to reduce overall packaging waste.

Anti-bacterial wipes: Wipes are a convenient way to clean and disinfect, but many of them contain plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that are specifically designed not to break down, potentially causing damage to sewers, babies, marine animals, and the planet.

Instead of disposable anti-bacterial wipes, use a reusable cloth, such as cotton and linen, which can be washed and reused many times before needing to be replaced. Look for all-natural cleaners that you can pour on those cloths to make a DIY wipe. You can also look for wipe products labeled as ‘biobased’ or ‘compostable’ to make sure you’re not causing harm to the environment.

Straws: In the U.S. alone, people discard 500,000,000 plastic straws daily, ending up in landfills and oceans forever. Invest in a reusable straw, typically made of stainless steel, bamboo, or silicone, to reduce the risk of endangering the lives of many marine animals and the ecosystem. More and more restaurants are moving away from plastic straws, so when you find one that uses paper straws, tell your friends and family about the establishment, to further support the environmental advocacy of the business.

Takeout containers and cutlery: Bring your reusable bag when picking up your takeout. Refusing to use plastic bags and cutleries every time you take out food could go a long way. When taking leftovers home, always ask for a compostable takeout container or get a collapsible silicone food container that you can carry in your bag every time, so you won’t need to worry about contributing to plastic waste.

Ink cartridges: Refill your ink cartridges instead of buying new ones. There are 350 million printer cartridges disposed of in landfills worldwide every year, and the plastic within the cartridge casing can take up to 500 to 1,000 years to decompose. Some big-box retailers like Walgreens and OfficeMax offer ink-refill services. If you want to do it yourself and save costs, many ink refill kits are made simple for the average consumer to use.

Cups: Opt for paper cups when hosting a house party or picnic. Disposable plastic cups are one of the single-use items that are difficult to recycle. In fact, the world uses 500 billion plastic cups every year, but only 1% of them get recycled. To reduce plastic cup waste, do not hesitate to use your personal reusable bottle or tumbler when ordering your favorite boba tea or iced coffee. Consider making these small changes to embrace an eco-friendlier lifestyle this year.

Wrappers: Buy items in bulk or larger quantities to reduce the need for individually wrapped products. Avoid frequent purchases of snacks or chocolates in plastic wraps. Instead, buy goodies packaged in paper or boxes like cookies, popcorn, peanuts, pretzels, and more. Avoid using plastic wrapping film when storing food like sandwiches; keep them in air-tight containers instead. Politely decline unnecessary plastic packaging when purchasing gift-wrapping bags. We aim to reduce plastic use, so let’s make conscious choices that align with sustainability.

Artificial plants and flowers: Choose natural plants and flowers instead of artificial ones to bring natural beauty and better air quality into your space. Dried flowers can also offer a unique and long-lasting aesthetic. The production of these non-biodegradable faux plants already contributes to carbon emissions that harm the environment. By shifting to natural options, we can minimize plastic and foster a greener home.

Sponges: While supermarket dish sponges offer good absorbency and flexibility in cleaning tableware and cookware, they come with significant downsides. A study found that everyday sponges can release both microplastics and even nanoplastics into the environment when used regularly. Most dish sponges are not recyclable and will unfortunately end up in landfills. Switch to using eco-friendly sponges like fabric sponges, natural loofahs, and other plant-based dish scrubbers to reduce your environmental impact and promote sustainability.

Toothbrushes: Switch to biodegradable or electric toothbrushes to reduce the overall toothbrush waste generated. A lot of these options are widely available in stores and online. What many people don’t know is that toothbrushes are not recyclable. If every person replaces their toothbrush every three to four months, as the American Dental Association suggests, roughly 29.4 billion toothbrushes are thrown away each year globally. By making a conscious choice in your toothbrush selection, you can significantly contribute to reducing this staggering waste.

Ecommerce packaging: Always select minimal packaging alternatives when shopping online. You can also go as far as buying only from brands committed to sustainable practices, including using minimal and recyclable packaging materials. Consider buying in bulk to reduce the amount of individual packaging per item. While e-commerce is already embedded in our daily lives, we can still contribute to a greener future by making thoughtful shopping choices in 2024.

Addressing plastic pollution may seem like an overwhelming issue beyond our control, yet change really starts with our everyday, simple actions. Every small action, when multiplied across communities and individuals, becomes a powerful force for positive environmental change. So, as we begin anew, let’s commit to making a difference!