12 solutions that help you reduce the consumption of single-use plastic

Have you ever thought about ways to reduce your consumption of disposable plastic? Or can you imagine living in a world without single-use plastic? These are issues that we don't think about in our daily lives because we don't even notice the amount of plastic that we individually use. But this is a reality, just think about the amount that is found in the oceans.

To raise awareness among people around the world to reduce the consumption of disposable plastic, the Plastic Free July Campaign was created by the Plastic Free Foundation.

Plastic plays an important role, but it is the plastic we use once and then throw away that has an increasingly greater impact on the environment and is what we can easily rethink and reduce.

To address this problem, there are more and more alternatives to plastic that we can embrace and put into practice to make a difference. Here are some tips to help you reduce your consumption of disposable plastic!

Solutions that help you reduce the use of disposable plastic

Say no to disposable cups and spoons when drinking your coffee

When you go out for a coffee alone or with friends, you can always opt for the traditional cup and with this small gesture you will already be reducing a small part of your daily plastic consumption. At work, it is also easy to reduce plastic and you can choose to take one of your favorite cups and wash it after each use.

When removing makeup, make another choice

To avoid waste and environmental pollution, you can opt for reusable makeup remover wipes.

Disposable masks and gloves

We are living in times of pandemic and these are ways to protect ourselves and others, but they have had a negative impact on the environment. According to Associação Zero, “the reuse of social/community masks is essential to reduce environmental and social impact”.

Opt for the reusable bag

Nowadays, and since plastic bags started to be paid for in supermarkets, it is common to see people taking plastic or cloth bags to do their shopping.

Reusable water bottle? Yes!

It is one of the solutions that allows us to always have a bottle of water with us and, at the same time, protect the environment from single-use plastic bottles.

Plastic cutlery, cups and plates are an option to avoid

Plastic packaging takes hundreds of years to decompose, so choosing alternatives to avoid its use is a sustainable measure to help our planet.

Make bulk purchases to suit your needs

In addition to reducing your consumption of disposable plastic, you can take home the right amount you need in your own packaging. There are now many food products and detergents that you can buy in bulk .

Prefer bamboo toothbrushes

Traditional toothbrushes are difficult to recycle due to the components that give them their shape. But there is now an alternative: bamboo toothbrushes, which are ecological and biodegradable.

Advantages of the menstrual cup

Every year the amount of tampons and sanitary pads that are discarded has a huge impact on the environment, unlike the menstrual cup which is reusable every month.

Biodegradable kitchen utensils

In the kitchen, utensils are essential for every task and that is why there are now kitchen accessories made with biodegradable products .

Choose cloth diapers

It is estimated that a baby uses around 2,000 diapers in their first year of life! Therefore, cloth diapers are not only an option that saves you a lot of money, they are also an ecological option that helps you reduce the consumption of disposable plastic.

What about the plastic toys that children no longer use?

If you have some at home, you can give them to friends who have children, to associations or to second-hand stores.

Although this is a campaign dedicated to the month of July, it is important to rethink ways to reduce the consumption of disposable plastic. Will you join us in contributing to a more sustainable world?

Author: Daniela Matos