Plastic sucks, but unfortunately it’s everywhere. Bags, drink bottles, food packaging, cups, plates, utensils – it’s hard to get away from it. A staggering 33.6 million tons of plastic is discarded each year in America alone with a meager 6.5% of that being recycled. Most of it ends up in landfills leaking chemicals into our soil where it can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. No, that’t not a typo – ONE THOUSAND YEARS. The rest can be found floating in our oceans threatening the health and safety of marine life.
Beyond the environmental impact, plastic poses a threat to our health as well. Just like it builds up in landfills and oceans, plastic also accumulates inside us with measurable amounts appearing in our blood and urine. Research has shown that plastic (even BPA free) can release estrogen-like chemicals that can throw off our body’s hormonal balance leaving us vulnerable to diseases such as cancer.
There are ways to reduce your exposure to plastic and it’s harmful chemicals though and here are my top tips:
1. Carry re-usable shopping bags with you everywhere you go. Use them at grocery stores, farmers markets, retail shops, convenience stores, etc.
2. Ditch the plastic straws. One popular fast food chain uses an estimated 60 million straws a day! That’s a lot of plastic. Opt instead for bringing a glass straw with you at all times. My favorite is from Strawesome. They have some really cool designs too so when you’re Instagramin’ those beautiful smoothies you make people will be begging to know where you got the rad straw!
3. No more bottled water! Invest in a glass or stainless steal canteen and a water filtration system for your sink. Besides helping your health and the environment, this will also save you a ton of money!
4. Shop in the bulk section of your grocery store (and bring your own containers!) limiting the use of plastic food packaging you purchase.
5. Invest in a set of reusable bamboo utensils to use in place of plastic when you’re eating on the go.
While it may be impossible to get away from plastic completely, these simple steps can go a long way in reducing your exposure.
Got a great tip for ditching the plastic habit? Share it in the comments below!
