Back in the day whenever you purchased goods from a store, the product came in either glass or paper packaging. When plastics were invented everyone thought it was be best thing since sliced bread. Little did they know that this new technology would be one of the worst things to happen to our planet. Our oceans and landfills are packed full with plastics that will take hundreds (in some cases thousands) of years to decompose.

Nowadays our daily lives are filled with plastics, and it can feel nearly impossible to avoid it. But the good news is there are quick and simple habits you can develop that will reduce your impact on the environment.

10 Simple and Eco-Friendly Ways to Use Less Plastic

PATCH Bamboo Adhesive Strips

Traditionally wound bandages have been made of plastic and contribute to our pollution problems. PATCH Natural Adhesive Bandages are a revolutionary product that is not only super effective at helping to heal wounds, but it also environmentally friendly. PATCH is crafted with 100% organic bamboo fibre with the added natural goodness of activated charcoal, aloe vera and coconut oil.

Ditch the Plastic Straws

Conservation scientists estimate there are 7.5 million plastic straws polluting U.S. shorelines, and anywhere from 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws on shorelines around the world.

Pretty much anytime you buy a beverage from a food establishment, it comes with a plastic straw. An easy solution is to either bring your own reusable aluminum or glass straw, or just sip without a top and straw all-together.

Beeswax Food Wraps

I am guilty of using too many plastic food wraps because my toddler rarely finished her food. It’s so simple to wrap up half-eaten meals to put it in the fridge. A swap I plan on implementing is wax food wraps.

Gennifer Rose - How to Reduce Your Daily Plastic Usage

Bring Your Own Tote Bag

Depending on where you live, many stores now charge customers for using plastic one-time-use grocery bags. This has made many of us develop the habit of brining our own canvas totes to the store. It can take a few attempts to remember to bring your bags inside with you, but once it becomes a habit it’s super easy.

Reusable Water Bottles

With so many stylish and chic reusable water bottles on the market, this eco-friendly initiative has turned into a fashion statement… and we love it!

Reusable Coffee Cups

Living in California, I’ve seen several coffee shops encourage patrons to bring their own hot beverage containers. Some establishments even offer a discount if you bring your own cup! Keep your eye out for opportunities to bring your own cup and use your dollars to support these types of progressive companies.

Shop Bulk Foods

Many grocery stores give you the option to buy foods in bulk without any packaging. Bring your own lightweight canvas bags to purchase dry foods such as rice, beans, pasta, nuts, candies, cereals, etc.

Doggie Bags

If you’re planning on eating out at a restaurant that serves large portions, bring your own glass food containers to pack up your doggie bag.

Mothers for Mother Earth

Being a parent is a wonderful gift, but it does use a lot of resources and create plastic waste. I have a complete blog post with eco-friendly tips specifically for parents.

Farmer’s Markets

Buying produce fresh from the farm eliminates a lot of packaging that is often used to sell fruits and vegetables in grocery stores. Remember to bring your own tote bags!