Ditch the Disposable: Life Beyond Plastic

Up to 5 trillion (5,000,000,000,000) plastic bags are used each year, according to the United Nations.

It’s great to pick up plastic trash from the beach, but even better not to buy plastic in the first place so there’s no chance it ends up on a beach.

Our one step this week is Plastic 101: Avoiding Single-Use Plastic. Like other effective practices for sustainability (including Walking 101: Short Trips by Foot), this is deceptively easy to understand but fiendishly difficult to accomplish since it requires giving up convenience and changing daily habits. Making a plan and then measuring results, such as the amount of plastic you create each week, can help you achieve your goals with this practice.

Two That Matter Most

To know how well you are avoiding single-use plastic, these two indicators matter most:

1. How much plastic waste you put in your recycling.
2. How much plastic waste you put in your garbage.

Sustainable Practice: Plastic 101

Avoiding Single-Use Plastic

Avoid using disposable plastic items such as plastic beverage bottles and cups, thin-film plastic shopping bags, and plastic cutlery.

Equipment and Materials

• Reusable shopping bags [Optional]