Are you wondering how to reduce your plastic use?  

Maybe you’ve heard of the dangers of plastic pollution, but aren’t sure how to reduce your plastic footprint. Or maybe you’re wondering what the future will be like for your children, and want to make a positive difference now.

In this article, I’ll share some of the most important ways to reduce your plastic use, but first let’s take a quick look at the dangers of plastic.  

The Very Real Dangers of Plastic

Plastic has its positive side. It’s played an important, even life-saving, role in medicine. It’s made possible the production of lighter weight planes and vehicles, which saves fuel and lowers carbon dioxide emissions.  The plastics industry will happily provide you with a long list outlining the wonders of plastic.

But the convenience of plastic has turned us into a “throw away” society.  Single use plastics make up 40-50% of plastic production each year. While single use plastics aren’t the only problem - think of all the plastic and faux-leather shoes, handbags, wallets, and digital device covers that end up in landfills - they litter the world and contribute significantly to environmental pollution.

So what are the dangers of plastic pollution?  Let’s take a look.

1. Plastic Contributes to Global Warming

Plastic contributes to global warming by significantly adding to greenhouse gases.  According to a 2019 report entitled “Plastic and Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet,” 

“If plastic production and use grow as currently planned, by 2030, these emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons per year—equivalent to the emissions released by more than 295 new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants. By 2050, the cumulation of these greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons—10–13 percent of the entire remaining carbon budget.” 

And…

“By 2100, exceedingly conservative assumptions would result in cumulative carbon emissions of nearly 260 giga-tons, or well over half of the carbon budget.” 

You may not know, but plastic emissions are not a one-time thing.  A single piece of plastic emits greenhouse gases more than once.  According to the report:

“Nearly every piece of plastic begins as a fossil fuel, and greenhouse gases are emitted at each of each stage of the plastic lifecycle: 1) fossil fuel extraction and transport, 2) plastic refining and manufacture, 3) managing plastic waste, and 4) its ongoing impact in our oceans, waterways, and landscape.”

The petrochemical and plastic industries are planning a massive expansion in production.  If we don’t say no to the overuse of plastic, especially single-use “disposable” plastic, as individuals, they will, of course, produce more and more.  Because most corporations care about the bottomline more than your health or the health of the planet.

And climate change is not a distant threat that we can deal with later. It’s happening and harming right now. 

In his article, You’re Making This Island Disappear, journalist John D. Sutter explores the plight of the Marshall Islands.  Can you imagine waking up at night to find yourself floating and your home filling up with water?

Or read my article, The Danger of Rising Tides, about the char dwellers of Bangladesh, whose islands and homes are constantly disappearing due to the impact of global warning.

Experts predict the number of "climate refuges" - people who flee from their country due to climate change - will swell to around 250 million worldwide by mid-century.  Most of these will be from poor, low-lying countries, but cities like Miami and New York will be subject to flooding too.

2. Plastic In the Ocean  

According to National Geographic, eight million metric tons of plastic trash are dumped into the ocean every year. To get a visual, they offer this image: 

“That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.” 

Plastic trash literally surrounds us. It’s found in the most isolated places on Earth. For example, 38 million pieces of plastic trash have made their way to remote Henderson Island.

“On Henderson Island, an uninhabited atoll in the Pitcairn Group isolated halfway between Chile and New Zealand, scientists found plastic items from Russia, the United States, Europe, South America, Japan, and China. They were carried to the South Pacific by the South Pacific gyre, a circular ocean current.”

When broken down by the elements in and around the ocean, plastic trash turns into micro plastic, tiny pieces which have been found everywhere in the world.  Plastic microfibers have been identified in municipal drinking waters and in the air we breathe.

Million - not thousands, millions - of animals are killed each year by plastic, primarily due to entanglement or starvation.  A marine animal’s belly can be so full of plastic it fails to eat and consequently dies of starvation.  Plastic may cause disruption to the reproductive systems of fish as well as cell and liver damage.

3. Plastic on the Land

According to UN Environment, plastic concentration on land has been estimated to be 4 to 23 times more than the oceans, depending on the place.   You might want to read that sentence again! We hear a lot about plastic contamination in the ocean, but rarely read about its danger on land.

Plastic trash, including plastic in landfills can leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water, which can be harmful to plants, animals, and humans.  Emerging evidence points to the fact that plastic accumulates in human bodies as well as in the bodies of animals. UN Environment says:

“Generally speaking, when plastic particles break down, they gain new physical and chemical properties, increasing the risk that they will have a toxic effect on organisms. And the larger the number of potentially affected species and ecological functions, the more likely it is that toxic effects will occur.

Chemical effects are especially problematic at the decomposition stage. Additives such as phthalates and Bisphenol A (widely known as BPA) leach out of plastic particles. These additives are known for their hormonal effects and can disrupt the hormone system of vertebrates and invertebrates alike. In addition, nano-sized particles may cause inflammation, traverse cellular barriers, and even cross highlyselective membranes such as the blood-brain barrier or the placenta. Within the cell,they can trigger changes in gene expression and biochemical reactions, among other things.”

They go on to explain that micro plastics also get into our water systems when we wash our clothes.

“One of the main sources is our clothing. Minuscule fibres of acrylic, nylon, spandex, and polyester are shed each time we wash our clothes and are carried off to wastewater treatment plants or discharged to the open environment.”

Did you know you’re wearing plastic when you wear clothing made from these types of fibers? Did you know that if you do, every time you wash clothes, you polluting the environment?

I feel passionate about this problem because I care about this world. So let’s look at some simple ways to reduce plastic use.

And if you feel overwhelmed having read the above facts, remember it won’t help to go into hopeless, helplessness, and despair. Just do your part, as best you can, and you’ll be part of making a positive difference. 

I’m not perfect but I personally feel it’s important to do what I can regardless of what others do and regardless of the outcome. 

From a spiritual perspective, it’s called karma, kindness, and wisdom. We can’t control the outcome, but we can take positive steps, educate others, and encourage them.

10 Important Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Use

There are hundreds of ways to reduce plastic use, but let’s focus on some of the most important ones, especially limiting the use of disposable plastic, but also looking at some of the hidden sources of plastic.

1.  Give Up Bottled Water

According to the Container Recycling Institute, 100.7 billion plastic beverage bottles were sold in the U.S. in 2014, or 315 bottles per person.  Plastic bottles are one of the top 10 pieces of trash found in the ocean, and of course, they end up in landfills too or littered alongside the road.  

In fact, I find it unbelievable, but that happens on the street right outside my house. Some people throw their plastic bottles out their car window.

Instead of plastic bottles, use a stainless steel water bottle.  Look for a water bottle with a stainless steel top so there’s no plastic whatsoever.

2. Say No to Plastic Bags

According to the Ocean Conservancy, during their annual international coastal clean up (the 3rd Saturday of September) 757,523 plastic grocery bags and 746,211 other plastic bags were recovered.  That’s just a one-day clean up.  Can you imagine how many more plastic bags actually get into the ocean and end up in landfills?

As an alternative, use a cloth bag for shopping, whether for groceries or other items.  Even using a sturdy reusable plastic bag would be preferable to using disposable plastic bags.  I carry 2-3 shopping bags in my car, so it’s become second nature to use them.  

Ditch plastic produce bags. I mainly shop in stores that use compostable produce bags.  If you don’t, buy your own compostable produce bags and bring them with you. 

Use compostable (not biodegradable) garbage bags and trash can liners too.  And don’t forget the environmental friendly compostable sacks for dog and kitty poop.

3.  Suck It Up a Different Way

Did you know that the city of Seattle has banned the use of single-use plastic straws?  That’s how serious the plastic straw problem has become.

And Starbucks has promised to phase out plastic straws by 2020.  Starbucks decision alone will keep an estimated one billion straws out of the ocean each year.  Yes, one BILLION.  And that’s just a fraction of the straws that end up in the ocean.  The US alone uses 500 million straws a day.

I never use straws so I’m the last person to recommend the best eco-friendly kind.  But you can find straws made out of bamboo, straw, paper, steel, and glass.  It means carrying your own, but it’s important.  Or you could give up straws entirely and drink directly from the cup or glass.

4. No More Plastic or Foam To Go Cups

Plastic cups are among the top 4 disposable plastic we use. According to ECoffeCup: “Half a trillion disposable cups are manufactured annually around the world; that’s over 70 disposable cups for every person on the planet.”  And plastic cup lids are one of the top ten items that end up in our oceans each year.

Instead, carry a stainless steel mug in your car or bag, one you can use for hot or cold drinks.

5.  Cut the Plastic Cutlery

Plastic cutlery has recently made it into the top ten list of items found in coastal cleanups.  It’s considered one of the most dangerous plastics for ocean animals.  According to World Centric, the U.S. alone uses an estimated 50 billion plastic utensils each year. 

As an alternative, stash a set of reusable cutlery in your bag, purse, or glove compartment in your car.  It does haven’t to be heavy; you could use a set of lightweight compostable cutlery.  

6.  Use Smarter Personal Care Items

Switch from liquid soaps and shower gels that come in plastic containers to bar soaps that come without plastic packaging.  You can also buy solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Or opt to buy your shampoo and conditioner from a bulk container at the health food store, and fill your reusable jar.

Plastic toothbrushes can take over 400 years to decompose, and over a billion end up in landfills each year.  Try a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush instead.  

Ditch disposable razors, and opt for one with replaceable blades.  It’s estimated that 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away each year.

Avoid personal care and cosmetic products that contain words like polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, terephthalate, and nylon in their ingredients list.  They’re all micro plastics that leach into the waterways.

7.  Buy from Bulk Bins

Purchase foods like cereal, gains, pasta, and nuts from bulk bins, filling a reusable bag or glass container.

8.  Avoid Disposable Plastic Lighters

It’s estimated that 1.5 million disposable lighters end up in landfills each year. 

Matches are the most environmental friendly alternative, although chemicals are used in the match-head.  Use matches sourced from sustainable forests, like the ones made by Diamond brand.

9.  Forget the Wet Wipes

Most Wet Wipes are partially plastic, typically made from plastic resins like polyester or polypropylene woven together with cotton. 

Like other plastics, they never fully degrade but just break down into smaller and smaller plastic fibers that can infiltrate water and air.  According to the Marine Conservation Society, wet wipes have become the fastest growing cause of plastic pollution found on beaches.  They also clog up sewers, and have caused major sewer disasters.

Wet Wipes also contain toxic chemicals, some of which have been linked with skin allergies, and none of which are good for the environment.

10.  Make Your Own Plastic-Free List

Maybe you’ve already stopped using the top plastic polluters listed above or maybe you want to do more.  If so, take a look around your home and make your own personal list of ways you could reduce plastic use even more

For example, consider plastic items like these, some carry hidden plastic, and any others you see or can think of:

• Tea bags

• Pens and mechanical pencils

• Cotton swabs on plastic tubes

• Chewing gum

• Glitter 

• Foil packets

• Cigarette butts

• Synthetic clothing 

• Drinks cartons that contain milk, juices, and other liquids

• Tin and aluminum cans

• Menstrual products

• Metal caps for bottles

• Self-sealing and peel-and-seal envelopes

• Handbags

• Device covers and cases (phone, pads, computers, etc.) Check out these very cool 100% compostable phone cases at Pela. I just got one after the rubber on my Otter Box started to peel off. I love the Pela case. I can throw it in my compost pile and it will degrade in 6 months to 2 years without harming the environment.

• Shoes

Reduce Plastic Use One Step At a Time

I know the idea of reducing plastic use can feel overwhelming, plastic is so ubiquitous, but just start with one item at a time and pace yourself over the coming year or two. For example, eliminate one type of item each week or each month.

If you stop using plastic water bottles this month, that’s already an important step forward.  And that’s easy to do, just buy a stainless steel water bottle and carry it with you wherever you go.

It will take a little more time, a little more effort, and a little more mindfulness to reduce your plastic use, but it’s important for your health and for the future of the planet.

I’d like to think I’m on the positive side of this story because I rarely use single-use plastics.  But I still have a long way to go.  I’ve been using glitter gel pens for coloring, probably my worst plastic violation, I have a plastic toothbrush thanks to my dentist, and on occasion I have bought a faux-leather handbag. After doing the research for this article, I now wonder if my Tazo Zen tea bags contain plastic.

I’ll be right there with you, cleaning up my plastic act too.

Recently, the County of Hawaii announced they’ll no longer accept recyclable plastics due to a significant decrease in the global market for recyclables. What’s that about? Read this: The World’s Recycling Is In Chaos: Here’s What Has to Happen. This dramatic drop in the recycling market makes it even more important that we reduce our use of plastic.

Plastics present a serious environmental issue.  They can also cause or contribute to frightening health problems in animals and humans. 

But I also think that plastics present a spiritual challenge.  You would never go out and kill someone, would you?  But the vast majority of people in the modern world are willing to harm others through the unconscious and unbridled use of plastic products.  The dangers plastics hold dare us to be more conscious, more mindful, and more caring human beings.

Will you take up the challenge?

Your Turn

What struck you most about the dangers of plastic? Where are you at when it comes to reducing plastic use? Did you get some new ideas? I would love to hear in the comments.

Thank you for your presence, I know your time is precious!  Don’t forget to  sign up for Wild Arisings, my twice monthly letters from the heart filled with insights, inspiration, and ideas to help you connect with and live from your truest self. Subscribers receive access to the Always Well Within Library of free self-development resources.

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