Earth Week Day 3: Five Ways to Get Rid of Plastic

Welcome to day 3 of our Earth Week #ptchange1thing challenge!

Plant Therapy Earth Week Day 3: No Plastics So far we’ve tackled reducing energy and challenged ourselves to find alternative ways to work. Today, we’re talking everything plastic, and how to avoid it! Because on Wednesdays, we’re saying no to plastics. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.

1. Use reusable dishes and silverware.

ways to reduce plastic use with plant therapy Just say no to throwaway silverware, styrofoam cups, paper plates, and paper coffee cups! They’re wasteful, bad for the environment and contribute to landfills. And IF you’re lucky your throwaway dishes are actually biodegradable…sometimes they’re not!

Instead, invest in some cute, reusable bamboo silverware for eating out, and make sure you use real plates, cups, bowls and everything else.

2. Bring a mug for coffee in the morning (or a reusable Starbucks cup).

ways to reduce plastic use with plant therapy I know it’s tempting to just jet through the Starbucks drive-through, but know what’s even more fun? A cute, reusable coffee mug or tumbler. Bonus: A lot of coffee shops will actually give you a small discount if you bring your own cup!

And speaking of reusable coffee mugs, make sure to stock one at your desk for office coffee, instead of using a paper cup.

3. Use grocery totes at the grocery store.

ways to reduce plastic use with plant therapy The whole state of California can’t be wrong: plastic bags are wasteful and just generally terrible for the Earth. They just get thrown away, they aren’t biodegradable, they sometimes even hurt or kill wildlife. Hard pass.

Instead, use reusable tote bags to carry your groceries to and from the car. It doesn’t matter if your bag comes from Hobby Lobby or was an old T-shirt DIY, the environment will thank you!

4. Invest in metal straws to help reduce landfill.

ways to reduce plastic use with plant therapyways to reduce plastic use with plant therapy Now teeny tiny plastic straws might not sound like a big deal, but everything I just said above about grocery bags also applies to plastic straws. Plus, some straws are still being made with chemicals that are potentially carcinogenic, even if they’re labeled BPA-free.

And to make it even worse, plastic straws are too light for many recycling sorters, and so they end up in landfills anyways. Where it takes them up to 2,000 years to decompose. So that drink it took you five minutes to guzzle? That plastic straw is still going to be your great-great-great grandchildren’s problem.

Instead, pick yourself up some metal straws (or paper if you must) and just carry one in your purse for drink-related emergencies.

5. Drink your soda out of cans instead of plastic bottles.

ways to reduce plastic use with plant therapy If you can find aluminum cans made from 100 percent recycled materials, they should be your first pick if you desperately need a single-serving beverage. They have a low transportation footprint and are easily recyclable, making them the clear winner over plastic bottles.