Tips for Reducing Plastic Waste at Home

“The birth of Repurpose was sparked by an ah-ha moment I had while working on Hollywood sets as a Sustainability Consultant, where the magnitude of single-use plastics and waste generated at craft service tables was impossible to ignore…” shared Lauren Gropper, CEO and Founder of Repurpose. “I started by thinking small – ‘What changes could be made on a granular level that could create a ripple effect?’”

Like many eye-opening realizations, awareness is the crucial first step in any major shift. Eco-minded manufacturers have been producing affordable, accessible alternatives to everyday plastic containers, and it's about time that more people begin to shift their practices. From all angles, the shift is more than simply trying to use recycled plastics. It's about considering how you can replace all types of plastic items, substituting for products made of biodegradable plastic, recycled paper, or other natural materials. Make a change and choose consumer products that are natural and compostable, or ones that can be used over and over again. You too can learn to identify opportunities within your own home and make small changes that have real impact.

These alarming stats from Repurpose will make you think twice:

• Only 5% of the world's plastic has ever been recycled.

• We ingest a credit card worth of microplastics every week.

• Toilet paper production kills 27,000 trees a day.

• Black and brown populations are 40% more likely to live in places adversely affected by climate change.

• Single-use plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose.

Tips For Reducing Plastic at Home

1. Swap for Reusables: Start by observing your daily routine; take stock of your plastic usage and where the plastic is ending up. Can you give it a second life and use it for an alternative purpose? Begin to experiment with eco-friendly reusable alternatives so you can start cutting out disposable plastics. Glass containers and stainless-steel reusable water bottles are a great first step!

2. Eliminate plastic straws and cutlery: As billions of plastic straws are discarded daily, opt for sustainable alternatives like paper straws, metal straws, or compostable straws. The same principle applies to plastic dinnerware; change out plastic cutlery at your next BBQ for stainless steel cutlery or products made from bamboo and other renewable materials. While you're at it, shift to renewable bamboo paper towels, and offer your guests cloth napkins.

3. Opt for Reusable Bags: While plastic bag bans have been spreading nationwide, it’s a great initiative that’s easy to get behind. Bring your reusable bags to avoid accumulating plastic waste when shopping, whether at the grocery store or the mall. Receive a present? Save the gift bag and reuse it.

4. Avoid Plastic Packaging: When shopping for soaps, detergents, and other household goods, choose brands that offer sustainable products and plastic-free packaging. For example, opt for laundry detergent packaged in paper vs. in wasteful plastic bottles. Start shopping in the bulk aisle, and choose products without excess packaging. And, consider exploring local farmers' markets, where you can buy produce without plastic packaging than supermarkets.

5. Be Realistic With Yourself: The biggest challenge is setting realistic goals. Each step matters, but going in 100% fails for most households. "It’s our goal at Repurpose to continuously find ways to make sustainability easier than ever and work to make greener practices seamlessly fit into modern life. I’m thrilled by the idea of a future without plastic waste, and when consumers show retailers and brands with their wallets that plastic-free and reusable options are important, it helps to foster real change," reminds Gropper.

What are eco-friendly substitutes for plastic?

Choosing products made of biodegradable material is the easiest way to substitute legacy plastic, reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, and modify the waste stream.

Ditch the Plastic. Choose Sustainable Products.

Get rid of your plasticware routine. Upgrade to using dinnerware, drinkware and other products that are made of sustainable materials including plant-based plastic and bamboo.

What are some of the worst single-use plastics?

There's a reason so many countries have banned traditional plastic straws and drink stirrers. Plastic bags are also being replaced by paper bags. Balloons are also wasteful, as are plastic cotton swabs and flossers. Avoid single-use coffee cups and lids as you're able; fortunately, some coffee shops offer a discount if you BYOM (Mug). Use beeswax food wraps instead of plastic wrap. Stop using plastic plates and switch to reusable cutlery as an alternative to plastic cutlery at your family gatherings. Lastly, if you're dining out, request that the restaurant not use its plastic or styrofoam packaging. They can likely pack your to-go leftovers in a low-waste package (better yet, bring your own reusable packaging from home).

Choose products that support human health and offer the world a chance at a sustainable future.