Reducing plastic consumption seems to be all over my timeline as of late — and for good reason! Our plastic use and waste is truly shocking, and any and all efforts to educating the masses is needed. But, as an individual, it’s hard to visualize just how impactful our plastic consumption really is. And sometimes thinking about that on a bigger, global scale is even more ambiguous.

Last year, I learned about Douglas Coupland’s Vortex art installation at the Vancouver Aquarium and it changed my perception on plastic waste entirely. The exhibit wasn’t just a couple large sculptures in a designated room — it was littered throughout the aquarium (pun intended). Perhaps a statement on plastic horrors being right before our eyes, the art pieces were real appropriated waste placed amidst the water and animals living in them. Plus, concise and factual infographics were all around to illustrate the gravity of the problem even more. 

The manufacturing of plastic uses fossil fuels and toxins which impact the earth all on their own, not to mention the health consequences and cancers they impose on the people interacting with them. Because of this, it has a massive carbon footprint. Finally, although some (read: a very small percentage) of it is recycled, most of it is ultimately treated like garbage. Many cities don’t actually have the facilities to recycle certain types of plastic, and things like food or ink are contaminants that cause all sorts of problems in the process. Plastic ends up in landfills and in bodies of water, and it never biodegrades — it just becomes smaller and smaller until these micro-plastics are choking sea creatures, being eaten by animals and permeating the entire ecosystem. Recent studies have actually shown that there are now plastic remnants in our human waste.

Ever since that discovery, I’ve become very aware of my plastic consumption, use and waste. Knowing that even recycling plastic is one step forward but two steps back, the best way to move forward is to limit plastic consumption all together.

Here are the ways I personally reduce my use and waste of plastic. I would love to know yours! 

Buy in bulk

Shopping bulk reduces the need for more packaging, as well as the gas needed to take you from point A to B multiple times a year! If it’s something you consume lots of, like food items or toilet paper, get as much as you can when you need a refill. When it comes to storing these items, use glass containers or other long-term, eco-conscious containers. I love using mason jars for my grains, seasonings, teas, you name it!

Always carry reusable bags

This one is repeated so often it’s almost obvious, but it’s imperative. I like to keep a bunch by the front door and in my car at all times, but keeping a tiny one for my purse has been the most life-changing. I also have reusable bags for my produce! Baggu is known for making super strong, super light ones in all different colours and sizes that by now they’re pretty much a fashion statement. My current favourite brand is also Stasher - which helps eliminate the use of zip lock bags! Stasher can be used in the freezer, microwave, sous-vide (yes, sous-vide!) and is dishwasher safe!!

Specifically request no straws or plastic utensils

When dining out or ordering takeout, providing one-time use straws or utensils is the standard at most restaurants. Get into the habit of specifically requesting no plastic during your order so it doesn’t go to waste. Plus, the act of mentioning or talking about plastic might inspire them to improve their ways!

Use menstrual cups

If you have a female body and menstruate once a month, you should seriously consider sustainable alternatives to pads or tampons if that’s available to you. By the end of our lifetimes we will have used and tossed a huge mound of plastic tampons. Even the cotton used in pads and tampons isn’t typically eco-friendly. Use a menstrual cup like Intimina’s, choose organic products from brands like Easy Period, get really creative with your options, or at the very least pick cardboard tampons over plastic ones.

Get creative with your plastic reuse

If plastic containers do end up in your home, the best thing you can do is maximize their lifespan. Reuse items such as take out boxes and bottles for everyday use. We use plastic bottles to water our plants while we’re away — all you have to do is fill them, stick them upside down in soil and let the plant do all the absorbing it needs. Take out boxes double as paint trays for me, and I sometimes use them as mini germination stations for spring seeds!

Get super organized with your waste!

Once again, lots of plastic ends up in landfills even if you threw them in the recycling bin. Part of the reason is poor organization and contamination. For this reason, I use a Joseph Joseph garbage can as my compost & recycling bin. It minimizes odours and keeps me super aware that when I toss things out, I’ve separated them correctly. Finally, when it comes to items I’m unsure about I’ll take them to my local London Drugs. You’d be surprised what items they can take to recycle!

With love,

Veronica