Today is World Environment Day and one of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) challenges for consumers is to purge plastics. “It takes one minute to throw out a plastic bag you’ve used once. It takes less than that to down a bottle of water,” states the WED website. “They then end up in the garbage or the ocean where they live FOREVER–adding to landfills and killing marine life.”
Those of us who have made a commitment to go green in all aspects of our lives certainly know the pitfalls associated with disposable, plastic products. And we understand health risks, too. With research showing agents like BPA (bisphenol A), an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s, linked to hormone and behavior issues, heart disease, diabetes and cancer, it’s time to rid ourselves of the plastic habit once and for all. Here’s how you and yours can cut down on plastic in the home.
Toys, toys and more toys. Anyone with children knows that “plastic” and “toys” go hand-in-hand. For some early eco-friendliness adopters, the decision to eliminate plastics came before the decision to have kids. But for others, it can be a tough family transition to remove plastic toys from the home and prevent more from coming in. Start by sharing your desire to go plastic-free with family and friends so they can keep your wishes in mind when shopping for holidays or birthdays. And involve kids in the decision, the reasons behind it and, most importantly, sharing their toys through charitable donations to others.
Hail the simple Mason jar. Prolific and oh so affordable, the humble Mason jar has endless uses. Sip lemonade from one or use them for storage and organization galore, or even as flower vases. Available in many sizes and colors (we are loving the light green jars from Ace Hardware for summer), Mason jars are a great replacement for plastic containers of all sizes in the home. Not to mention the simple touch of stylish charm they add to your surroundings.
Go big. Replacing plastic utensils and food storage containers is a snap, but don’t limit your thinking to just those items. Consider your appliances, for instance. Does your blender have a glass or plastic carafe? Are you using a plastic coffee maker or single-cup system to make your morning cup of Joe? When it comes time to replace items like these, think before you shop. Choose a percolator instead of a coffee maker or other appliances not made from plastic.
Precycle. Overhauling your life to eliminate plastic isn’t simple or affordable. Avoid the hassle and expense by thinking up new ways to use plastic items. Store small tools or supplies (think: nuts and bolts) in used, washed plastic food containers. Organize kids’ craft supplies the same way. You’ll keep the plastics from making contact with your consumables and from landing in landfills.
Commit to plastic–free living. Once you’ve taken steps to eliminate plastic in your home, stay the course. Stop buying plastic containers or conveniences, opting for glass or stainless whenever possible. And walk the walk, especially if you have children. What they watch you do will shape their thoughts about green living for years to come.
Talk to us: Have you taken steps to eliminate or reduce plastic inside your home? We’d love to learn what have been the easiest and most difficult things to give up!
image courtesy of Geof Wilson/CC BY 2.0