How to Decrease the Amount of Plastic We Use

Learn how to decrease the amount of plastic we use with these simple tips.  Small steps can lead towards huge improvements for our wildlife and environment!

This post may contain affiliate links.

The importance of cutting back on plastic.

I think we’ve all heard many times about the importance of cutting back on plastics to help eliminate waste and improve our health, but often we forget about how these also impact wildlife.  Plastic waste doesn’t only effect the environment around you – it can actually end up thousands of miles away and be carried into our oceans.  Every year, thousands of marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds and other animals are sickened, injured, or killed because of trash in the ocean.

The Marine Mammal Center.

This year, I’m excited to be teaming up again with Dawn and two of their partners, International Bird Rescue and The Marine Mammal Center, as part of their Wildlife Ambassador program.  I had a chance to visit The Marine Mammal Center a couple of years ago to tour their facility and had the amazing experience of being able to witness the release of three rehabilitated sea lions.  Last year, I also took my kids back when we were on vacation in San Francisco and it was such a fun learning experience for them.  I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area!

The effects of ocean trash.

It’s estimated that around 80% of the ocean trash is land-based garbage and up to 90% of this garbage is plastic.   This garbage floats through our oceans and other water ways and is generally swept into slow moving ocean currents called gyres or garbage patches.  The North Pacific Garbage Patch is actually the largest in the world – roughly TWO TIMES the size of Texas and containing 3.5 million tons of trash.

Many of the animals at the Marine Mammal Center suffer from the result of ingesting or getting tangled in human trash. There are many little things that you can do at home to help decrease the amount of plastics that pollute our land and oceans. Take a few minutes with your family to really think about ways that you use plastics and how you may be able to cut back on your use.  Teach your children that they can make a difference and give them some ownership of taking care of their earth.

How to Decrease the Amount of Plastic We Use

Eliminate Plastic Straws

Plastic straws are one of the top 10 items found in ocean debris and they’re designed to pretty much last FOREVER.  It’s estimated that over 40% of bird species and 20% of marine mammals have actually ingested straws.  Think twice the next time you take a plastic straw – they really are just a modern day convenience.  If you do prefer to use a straw, you can purchase stainless steel reusable straws or at least look to paper straws that can be broken down more easily.

Cut up Plastic 6 Pack Rings

The plastic rings that attach 6 packs together are one of the biggest dangers to wildlife.  Animals can become trapped in them and then slowly choke as they get older until they suffocate.  In the ocean, these plastic holders are almost invisible underwater, so animals cannot avoid them and can easily get tangled.  When you are purchasing 6 packs, look for brands that do not use these plastic holders or, if you do have to purchase them, be sure to cut them up and discard in recycling so they are less likely to pose a danger.

Switch to Re-Usable Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags

Using resusable shopping bags {these ones are perfect for grocery shopping} for your shopping can cut down on a huge amount of plastic. It’s really not hard to do either – it just takes a little work to get in the habit.  Always keep some bags handy in your car or store a fold-up bag in your purse.  Look for washable mesh produce bags as well.  They’re cute and much easier to use than trying to struggle with finding the opening of those grocery store plastic bags!

Purchase a High Quality Water Bottle

Over 20 billion plastic bottles are globally dumped each year – seriously mind-blowing!  Invest in a high quality, non-toxic, stainless steel bottle that can be used for a variety of liquids.  I’m obsessed with my Swell bottles {this one is my next target!} but there are other brands as well that have similar properties.  These will keep cold drinks chilled for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours.   I have a few of them that I keep at work, at home, and in the car and use them everyday.  Even if we all just got down our plastic bottle use by 50%, think of what a cumulative effect that would have!

Eliminate Products with Micro-Beads

I actually I had no idea about this one until I read an article about it last year.  Microbeads are tiny, plastic beads that are commonly found in facial scrubs, body washes, and some toothpastes.  They absorb toxins in the water and are then eaten by marine life.  Eventually, they can make their way all the way up the food chain. While there are currently plans to try and eliminate brands from using these, they are still available in the marketplace.  To know if your favorite products contain these plastics look for the following ingredients on the label: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polymethyl methacrylate.

YOU can make a difference.

While these may not seem like big changes, if we all did it {even partially!}, it would create a huge positive change of our environment and wildlife.  You can find more information on Dawn Saves Wildlife here or check out The Marine Mammal Center or International Bird Rescue for other ways that you can help.  Together we really can make a difference.

To get some ideas for talking to your kids about helping out the environment, check out this post…

Earth Day Recipes – Rice Krispie Treats “Earth” Pops.