✂️ Cut Plastic Waste: 15 Tips Every Family Needs to Know

Plastic Free July is a great reminder of what we need to be aiming to achieve 12 months of the year. Plastic is everywhere in our lives, but its impact on our planet and our health is alarming. Each year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste enter our oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems.

Almost every piece of plastic is made from chemicals that come from fossil fuels, like oil and gas. The
plastic industry has emerged as the fastest-growing global source of greenhouse gases within the
industrial sector. Plastic production is forecast to grow 70% by 2040, significantly increasing carbon
emissions. By 2040, the life-cycle emissions from plastics are forecast to grow to around 19% of our
global carbon budget.Did you know? Almost every piece of plastic is made from chemicals that come from fossil fuels, like oil and gas. The plastic industry has emerged as the fastest-growing global source of greenhouse gases within the industrial sector. By 2040, the life-cycle emissions from plastics are forecast to grow to around 19% of our global carbon budget. 

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, are now found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe, posing health risks to humans. Reducing plastic waste is crucial for the health of our planet and future generations.

Our Health: There are over 16,000 chemicals used in plastics. At least 11,000 have not been assessed for human health and environmental harm. With at least 4,200 chemicals being considered to be highly hazardous and linked to human health and environmental risks, such as cancers. There are over 16,000 chemicals used in plastics, including those added to give properties like
flexibility, durability and colour. Of these 16,000 chemicals, at least 11,000 have not been
assessed for human health and environmental harm.

Whilst we understand this it can be really challenging when we our society is built around convenience and as a time poor parent I am far from perfect. Perfection is an illusion, so instead my family tries to reduce plastic when we can.

Here are 15 practical tips to help your family cut down on plastic use:

1. Use Reusable Bags: We always carry reusable shopping bags for groceries and other shopping needs. Plastic bags often end up in landfills or the ocean, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

2. Opt for Glass or Stainless Steel Bottles: We've replaced single-use plastic water bottles with reusable glass or stainless steel ones. This reduces plastic waste and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals in plastic.

3. Avoid Plastic Straws: We use metal, glass, or bamboo straws instead of plastic ones, or skip them altogether. Plastic straws are a common pollutant and can harm marine life.

4. Bring Your Own Containers: Using our own containers for takeout, leftovers, and bulk food purchases has significantly reduced our need for single-use plastic containers and packaging.

5. Choose Plastic-Free Packaging: We buy products with minimal or no plastic packaging, such as those wrapped in paper, glass, or metal. This helps reduce the demand for plastic production.

6. Use Reusable Coffee Cups: Bringing a reusable coffee cup to cafes instead of using disposable plastic or paper cups with plastic lids reduces waste and the energy needed to produce single-use cups.

7. Avoid Single-Use Utensils: We carry a set of reusable utensils made from metal, bamboo, or other sustainable materials. Plastic utensils are used for a few minutes but can last in the environment for centuries.

8. Buy in Bulk: Purchasing food and household items in bulk reduces packaging waste, and we store them in reusable containers. This minimizes plastic packaging and often saves money.

9. Select Bar Soap and Shampoo: Choosing bar soap and solid shampoo over liquid versions in plastic bottles reduces plastic waste and often contains fewer harmful chemicals.

10. Use Beeswax Wraps: We've replaced plastic wrap with reusable beeswax wraps for food storage. Beeswax wraps are biodegradable and can be used multiple times.

11. Make DIY Cleaning Products: Creating homemade cleaning solutions using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, stored in reusable bottles, reduces plastic waste and chemical exposure.

12. Choose Wooden or Metal Toys: We opt for toys made from wood, metal, or other natural materials instead of plastic. These toys are often more durable and environmentally friendly.

13. Buy Less Clothing: As a parent, I’ve realized the importance of buying fewer, higher-quality clothes for our family. Fast fashion often contains synthetic fibers that shed microplastics and chemicals in the wash, which end up in our water systems. By choosing to buy less and opting for natural fibers when possible, we can reduce our plastic footprint.

14. Use Cloth Diapers: Considering using cloth diapers instead of disposable ones, which are often plastic-laden, can significantly reduce waste and can be more cost-effective over time.

15. Support Plastic-Free Initiatives: We advocate for and support businesses and policies that aim to reduce plastic use, such as plastic bag bans and improved recycling programs. Collective action amplifies the impact of individual efforts.

What about Recycling? It is still important, but we can’t only recycle our way out of the plastics problem. Just like newly produced plastic, recycled plastic still contains harmful chemicals. While plastic production has more than doubled in the last 20 years, recycling has only increased about 15%. Recycling alone can’t keep up, and eventually, all plastic ends up in our environment, where it stays

By implementing these tips, our family has significantly reduced our plastic footprint, contributing to a healthier planet. Every small action counts, and together, we can make a big difference.

However, individual efforts alone are not enough. Industry, businesses, and governments must also act swiftly to address the plastic crisis. Supporting policies that reduce plastic production and improve waste management is crucial.

We all have a role to play in creating a sustainable future. The choices we make today will shape the world our children inherit. Let’s take action now to protect our planet and ensure a healthier, cleaner environment for generations to come.

INSPO ALERT:  https://www.plasticfreecronulla.com.au/ . A stunning example of a community that have united to tackle plastic use and pollution head on.