Photo: TripAdvisor
Debra’s Natural Gourmet helps customers cut back on plastic like liquid-soap bottles. They don’t have an answer yet to takeout containers, though.
Every day I’m trying to think of ways to cut back on plastic like the good people at Plastic Free Hackney in England. How am I doing so far? Not great. Plastic is so ubiquitous. But “one and two and 50 make a million,” and there is help from like-minded businesses.
I found a dish-soap concentrate that lets me reuse bottles (etee dish soap), and now a local organic store is letting folks reuse bottles from home over and over by filling up from the store’s large dispensers.
According to Emily Holden at the Guardian, we need to cut back because recycling of plastics is not really working. No one wants them. Holden offers tips on reducing our plastics dependency.
“As plastics corporations ramp up production,” she writes, “they are also promoting a failing recycling system.
Just 9% of plastics get recycled. Traditional plastics are made from extracted oil and gas, and they contribute to the rising temperatures behind the climate crisis.
“Environment experts are increasingly calling for a reduction in plastic use, as the waste accumulates in the oceans, poor countries and even human bodies. Plastics are also burned, as China – which once accepted the bulk of America’s waste – has begun to refuse it. And more than a million Americans lived next to polluting incinerators.
“Significant reductions will require systemic change, researchers say. But there are also some easy tips for individuals who want to cut back on plastics. (If this list is overwhelming and you’re not sure where to start, collect your plastic waste for a month and conduct an audit. Cut back on what you find the most of.)
“1. Carry a reusable bottle, fork/spoon and bag …
“2. Refuse the lid on your coffee cup. … (Some coffee shops will say they are required to give you a lid, citing possible liability for burns.)
“3. Choose products in glass or cans if they are an option. Recycle those materials. … Glass and aluminum cans are much more likely to be recycled. Glass is most efficient when reused (ie. with returnable milk bottles).
“4. When possible, eat in the restaurant instead of taking it to go. Unless you have a physical disability, let your server know in advance that you won’t need a straw.
“5. If you order takeout or delivery, tell the restaurant you don’t want plastic utensils or straws. …
“6. Opt for products with less packaging. Say no to bagged lemons, apples, onions and garlic, and tea that comes in plastic packets. Choose more fresh produce for snacks to avoid individual plastic wrappers.
“7. Shop from the bulk section and use your own containers. …
“8. Use bars of soap (also available for shampoo and shaving) instead of bottles. … For an extra environmental benefit, avoid palm oil.
“9. Use a razor that requires replacing only the individual blades. … You will save money over time. Note that TSA does not allow passengers to fly with individual blades.
“10. Use a bamboo toothbrush or one with a replaceable head.
“11. Buy concentrated cleaners that can be mixed with water in a reusable container. …
“12. Choose frozen, concentrated juice that comes in cardboard tubes instead of the plastic jugs. …
“13. Don’t buy bottled water. …
“14. Buy fewer clothes, or shop secondhand. Wash your clothes less so they last longer. Hang them to dry. …
“15. When shopping online, group as many items together as possible, so you can receive fewer plastic envelopes.”
More here.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Our village is trying to go plastic free 🙂 I help run the village library and we’re doing our best … when we swapped out plastic spoons and takeaway cups for donated china cups and saucers everyone was delighted 🙂
Now, there’s an idea that could really catch on!
Fantastic! And much nicer to drink from a china cup than a takeaway cup.
A minute ago I used my own mug to buy tea. But I ate takeout. Sigh.
Very few of us are environmentally pure. I know I’m not. But I am aware, and so are you. That’s bound to make a difference.
These are really good tips. I never realized that most clothes have synthetic fibers made out of plastic.
Your blog is terrific for all sorts of tips.
Thank you!
Great list! Some of them I already do. We rarely eat out or order takeout, so that’s a big one right there. However, others I need to incorporate into our routine.
Takeout is a big challenge for us.
Same is true for my New York daughter. So many temptations. In central Maine, there really aren’t that many temptations, especially if you’re a vegetarian. So it’s easy to resist. 😉
Great tips, we have to keep people thinking about it, reading about it, and DOING something about it!!
We can do this! Back in the day, the Erie River would catch fire from pollutants. Determined humans cleaned it up. It doesn’t catch fire now.