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Reduce Your Waste By Using Less Plastic Food Packaging

By Jaclyn Hurley


We hear constantly from environmental advocates about the amount of waste produced by modern society, and about the negative effects that waste has on the environment. Most people want to make a difference, but it is easy to feel as though that is impossible. With modern conveniences like plastic food packaging and bottled water, we often create waste without even thinking about it.

There is so much waste produced by common aspects of modern life that it is almost harder to avoid participating. However, it is definitely possible to figure out ways to reduce the waste created by you and your family. It takes extra thought and often extra time, but you will find that it gets easier as you get used to it. Also, you may find that you save some money in the process.

In this article you will find a few suggestions of methods for re-using things. When you re-use things, you create less waste, and save money, too!

Re-use containers. Oftentimes you cannot avoid plastic containers, because no other option is provided. Almost anything purchased from a deli is going to come in one of these containers. The same goes for food-delivery orders. However, although you may not be able to avoid these containers, you can re-use them. Many of them are sturdy enough that you can use them for food storage, and therefore avoid buying Tupperware, foil, and bags that you would otherwise buy.

Re-use plastic bags. This goes for both grocery bags and storage/ sandwich bags, like Ziplocs. The grocery bags can be used as trash bags for smaller garbage cans. Surprisingly, they also make great shower caps! Storage bags can be washed out and re-used for their original purpose. Unless they were used for raw meat or something else that could be dangerous, there is not need to throw them away after one use.

Avoid buying "individually wrapped" items. These things not only create extra waste, they also cost more. Instead, buy things like tissues, nuts, snack foods, and candy in bulk, and separate them into individual packages yourself, using the storage and sandwich bags you have saved from previous uses.

Try to avoid buying too many single-serving drinks in plastic bottles, too. When you do buy them, save the bottles. Then, next time you want to take water or iced tea or some other beverage with you, re-use a bottle you already have rather than purchasing a new single serving.

Recycle. No matter how much you attempt to re-use your containers, there will be some that you cannot save. And eventually, you will have to get rid of all of them. When this time comes, recycle as many items as you possibly can. It is much better to send plastic to a recycling center than to send it to a landfill.

We produce so much trash on the whole that it's true, no one person can completely solve the problem. But every little change contributes, and eventually they can ass up to big changes. In the meanwhile, you can save some money and rest assured that you're doing what you can.




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