30 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste

When I go out to surf I often see trash (especially plastic!) on the beach, and it is super discouraging and frustrating!

There’s currently about 8 billion tons of plastic wreaking havoc on our environment, oceans, animals and our own health. We all need to do something about it. That’s why I’m teaming up with Corkcicle for a 30-day #NoPlasticChallenge! 🚫

I’m challenging myself, and you, to go 30 days without plastic, especially single-use plastic. Here are some of my personal tips, and more, to help you get started:

30 ideas for the 30 Day No Plastic Challenge:

  1. Say no to single-use straws and utensils! Bring your own straw and cutlery when eating out.
  2. Re-think your food storage to avoid plastic baggies and plastic wrap. We like to use MeliWraps, washable snack bags, reusable plastic ware, or even jars/containers our food was previously packaged in to store our food.
  3. Only buy to-go drinks that are in a cardboard boxes or glass bottles, or bring your own tumbler/canteen and ask them to use that instead of a plastic one.
  4. Bring your own tote bags to the store instead of using the plastic bags they give you. Sometimes grocery stores have a paper bag option, or will offer you a cardboard box that products were previously packaged in for you to carry your items.
  5. Don’t use single-use produce bags. Bring your own reusable ones, or just wash your fruits and vegetables once you get home.
  6. Make your tea/coffee/drink at home in a reusable cup like a Corkcicle and take it with you.
  7. Use reusable containers like glass jars, Tupperware, or even old containers your snacks came in to keep in your bag/car/office for snacking. Bringing snacks with you also means you’re less likely to buy a snack that comes in plastic packaging.
  8. Stop buying bottled water! Get a refillable water bottle and take it with you wherever you go. Many places have water stations where you can refill.
  9. Buy your groceries at a local farmers market or from local farmers directly to avoid buying plastic wrapped bagged produce. Buying local also means the food has less distance to travel and needs less packing for transit.
  10. Ask your local grocer if you can return your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.). If you shop at a farmers market, they may be able to refill it for you.
  11. Buy goods like cereals, pastas, nuts, and rice from bulk bins. Use reusable cloth bags to purchase the items instead of plastic bags, and then transfer to airtight glass jars once you get home.
  12. Try to buy household products that don’t use disposable plastic wrapping or containers. Products like laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent often come in cardboard boxes, which can be recycled more easily than plastic.
  13. For gatherings of large groups, use paper plates and compostable utensils for easier clean up and less impactful trash.
  14. Make your own food and snacks at home instead of buying snacks that are wrapped in plastic.
  15. Buy local veggies and fresh goods at your local farmers market and bring your own bags. Remember small reusable bags for things like tomatoes if you are going to buy.
  16. Bring your own container for take-out food or restaurant leftovers since many restaurants package food in plastic or Styrofoam containers.
  17. Use cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. They use less plastic and save you money.
  18. Compost food waste to avoid plastic garbage bags.
  19. Make your own juice instead of buying juice in plastic bottles.
  20. Bring your own containers to the butcher or the deli instead of using their packaging. The butcher can usually deduct the weight of the packaging from the total weight.
  21. Buy fresh bread from a bakery that comes in a paper bag. You can also bring your own cloth bag or container to store the bread in and avoid all packaging.
  22. See if your area has a local dairy that sells milk in returnable glass bottles.
  23. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap.
  24. Avoid the plastic razor. Use a razor that has replaceable blades instead of the disposable razor.
  25. Choose your products wisely. Opt for ones that come in metal tins or glass jars instead of ones in plastic containers.
  26. Use what you have. If you already own plastic containers, keep using them until they’re worn out.
  27. Repair old plastic items when they break instead of buying a new one.
  28. Make your own cleaning supplies. You can clean a lot of items with the things in your kitchen like vinegar and baking soda.
  29. Opt for natural cleaning cloths and scrubbers instead of plastic and synthetic sponges.
  30. Switch to online billing instead of paper mail to avoid the plastic window envelopes. It saves plastic as well as paper.

And there are so many more ideas!

I’m really honored and excited to be partnered with Corkcicle for this challenge because they are a brand that really cares about the earth. The truth is, 40% of all plastic pollution comes from packaging materials, which are used just once and then thrown away. That’s why Corkcicle has pledged to phase plastic out of all Corkcicle product packaging by the end of 2020. My family and I use their tumblers, canteens, and straws every single day and it has made a big impact on our plastic use, especially plastic water bottles, plastic cups, and straws. Each time you reach for a reusable tumbler or canteen instead of a plastic bottle, you join the movement and send a message: no more plastic bottles.

To be honest, it’s challenging when you first start avoiding plastic. It really takes commitment and dedication. But as consumers we have to try and do our best for the betterment of our earth!

Follow my Instagram and my Instagram/Facebook stories for more of my no plastic tips. I’d love to see how your progress is going too! Use the hashtag #NoPlasticChallenge and tag me and Corkcicle when you share how you’re reducing your plastic.

Together, we can join the great movement to reduce pollution and work toward a cleaner planet! Let’s be Unstoppable by doing our best to protect this beautiful earth.

P.S. Stay tuned for an awesome Corkcicle giveaway on my Instagram during this challenge!


© Bethany Hamilton

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