

Straws, coffee lids, and plastic packaging are all common things that make up over 8 million tons of plastics in our oceans every year. It’s hard to believe that the amount of plastic that ends up in our ocean every year is the equivalent to dumping the contents of a garbage truck into the ocean every minute! And at this rate, it’s not surprising that by 2050, plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish. As alarming as all of this is, doing the whole zero waste thing can be impossible for most people considering that important items such as car seats, helmets and medical tools are made out of plastic. However, making small daily changes and swaps to reduce single-use and daily plastics from our lives is very doable. Needless to say, I myself am not the most eco-friendly person I know, but I’m learning about ways to reduce and eliminate plastic from my daily life and taking it one step at a time. In the end it’s all about trying to do our part and being better than we were yesterday. If you’re already implementing these steps into your daily life, that’s amazing. If you aren’t quite there yet, you’ll find that incorporating one of these simple steps can be very satisfying and will become part of your daily routine in no time.
Keep scrolling to see my simple tips on reducing and eliminating plastic in your daily life, along with shop links to some of my favorite eco-friendly products that are worth investing in!
Ditch The Lid and The Straw
Next time you’re at a coffee shop or restaurant think..do I really need a lid and straw? Probably not. But if you really love using a straw, there’s tons of reusable options out there like stainless steel, glass, and silicone. There’s even straws that fold into compact cases that can be tucked away in your handbag or put on your keychain.




Refuse Plastic Bags and Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Avoid saying yes to plastic bags and instead purchase a few really large and durable reusable bags for all of your shopping needs. Whether it’s grocery, beauty, or clothing shopping, you can help reduce plastic from being dumped in landfills by simply keeping these bags on you or in your car. If your on-the-go or space is an issue, there’s also foldable reusable bags that attach to your keychain. Personally, I love Burlap tote bags for grocery shopping and they’re eco-friendly, reusable, and organic! I included a link for you guys below!



Invest in Reusable Containers and Utensils
Bamboo cutlery, glass containers, and silicone zip-locks will change the way you look at food storage and eliminate your need for single-use plastics on the daily. In today’s disposable society, it’s easy to turn to items that are convenient like take-out boxes and plastic utensils, but being prepared is key. Keep a set of bamboo utensils and glass container in your car or work bag. Replace your plastic ziplocks with silicone reusable bags that are freezer, dishwasher, and microwave-safe.



Buy in Bulk
Think about how much plastic packaging you go through when buying things like pasta, rice, snacks etc. To avoid food packaging, you can shop at the bulk aisle of any grocery store and bring your own mesh bags or jars to fill. Some markets now have refilling stations for soap, lotions, and cleaners as well. And when it comes to things like toiletries, it’s hard to find products that aren’t plastic wrapped, but even toilet subscriptions are now a thing ha! So not only do you save plastic wrap ending up in landfills, but you also save money and time. I recently discovered this subscription service that not only delivers toilet paper to your door when you need it, but the brand donates part of it’s profits to clean water and sanitation organizations.



Stop Buying Bottled Water
Are all these fancy water brands really healthier and tastier than regular tap water? Not really. In fact, most bottled water brands are simply using tap water, yet we spent $100 billion on bottled water each year. Crazy right?! Not only are plastic bottles polluting the earth, but they aren’t safe for our health. Chemicals in plastic are leaching into our water and can lead to many dangerous health issues and diseases. The easiest way to eliminate the use of plastic bottles is to invest in a water filter and reusable stainless steel water bottle that you can carry around with you everywhere you go.



Jenelle
Yes, girl yes!! This is what I am here for too! My whole house is all about reusable bits and pieces and minimizing waste. It is so refreshing to see this since I for the most part always feel like I am the one lecturing people around me about making smarter more considered choices when it comes to single-use items. It annoys them, but I hope they will at least listen to me and get where I am coming from eventually. xx Jenelle | inspiringwit.com
Jessi Malay
That’s SO amazing love!! Once you really get into this headspace, it becomes part of your daily routine so easily right?! I’m still learning a lot, but making smarter decisions is really satisfying at the end of the day :)
A Trendy Life
Great ideas! I use some of them.
Have a nice day!
http://www.atrendylifestyle.com/
Jessi Malay
Glad you found this article helpful babe! Hope you’re having a great week Xx
Meredith
Such good tips!! I’ve never even thought of subscription services like that, but it sounds like they are doing great things for the world!
Jessi Malay
Thanks for reading girl! And YES they are really making a difference :) Not only are they reducing waste, but they’re also saving you money and making your life more convenient!
Elisa
What’s happening to our planet is truly horrific 😢 Thank you for shedding light on this and providing these tips!
Jessi Malay
It really is :( Thank you for taking the time to read <3
Elegant Duchess
Great tips Jess. I definitely need to get some of these reusable straws. I’ve been using paper ones but they don’t last for too long. One habit that I need to drop is buying bottled water! xx
Elegant Duchess xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
Jessi Malay
Thanks for reading babe! Glad you enjoyed these tips :) And yes!! Getting a reusable water bottle and straws is a good start :)
Jessica
Great ideas dear. Indeed, when these little things add up, they can make a huge impact, especially if more and more people get on board!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Shabanam
I use all the non plastic material daily life and also encourage people to use these ideas!
Pillows and Pillowcases – bed pillows & sleeping pillows