There is a growing debate surrounding society’s excessive use of plastic. After all, plastic is a major environmental hazard. A single plastic bag can take up to one thousand years to degrade. This is extremely concerning, especially considering the fact that Americans use billions of plastic bags every year. The need for a reduction in the use of plastic among families in the US, and around the world, has never been so pressing. As a result, companies are establishing plastic-free initiatives and the media is urging households to minimize their use of plastic. But with such a plastic-dominated consumer lifestyle dictating our lives, how does one go about cutting back on their family’s use of plastic? We hope to provide a few essential methods you can implement today to reduce your plastic use.

Beyond the environmental damage that plastic can cause, its use also poses physical health risks. BPA, for example, is a chemical found in plastic bottles that may cause health issues. Your families health and safety are undoubtedly one of the most important things to you. In saying so, it is wise to practice healthy habits in the home. Beyond reducing your plastic use, you can add quality health supplements to your diets. This can combat nutritional deficiencies that put your family at risk. Remember that not all products are created equally. Consequently, it is important that you purchase an optimally dosed and effective formula. Authority Reports is great for finding the best product options on the market. Their informative reviews will guide you to the most affordable and effective supplements.

With your family’s health in check, you can be confident in your ability to start reducing plastic use. Here’s how!

1. Stop Using Plastic Straws

Millions of plastic straws are used every single day. In fact, reports suggest that 500 million are used per day. A 9-year-old boy came to this mathematical conclusion. You can read more about the story here. This goes to show that even our young ones are keen and willing to encourage the reduction of plastic use. This bodes well for the potential plastic-free future of our world. The problem with plastic straws is that they end up in the ocean, polluting it and threatening marine life. By purchasing a stainless steel straw for each member of your family, you can begin reducing these monumentally detrimental statistics.

2. Ban Plastic Bottles

We are extremely fortunate to have access to water, despite it being a basic human need. Another exceptionally worrying water fact is that the way in which we consume it raises further risks. From water bottles to fizzy drinks, the numbers regarding water bottle use per day are devastating. Plastic water bottles take hundreds of years to degrade, thus, causing major land and water pollution during improper disposal. Purchase your children a non-plastic water bottle. Despite positively reducing your families plastic use, you will be giving them something to look after. At younger years, this will help teach them responsibility.

3. Practice Positive Recycling

It is not always possible to go completely plastic-free. There are some situations whereby plastic is unavoidable. In these cases, it is imperative that you practice proper recycling. Remember that not all plastic is recyclable. Ensure that you locate the nearest recycling center, learn what they can accept, and separate your waste at home using colorful recycling bins and bags. Here is a great resource to go through with your family that outlines what can and cannot be recycled.

4. Take a Shopping Bag with You

The excessive use of plastic shopping bags has major environmental consequences. These bags often wind up in the ocean and can threaten marine life. Purchase your family a few brightly colored, fabric shopping bags to take with you to the store. Forego the plastic shopping bags and positively reduce your families use of plastic.

5. Pack Lunch with No Litter

Trash doesn’t always wind up in the bin. Besides reducing the potential environmental risks of plastic trash, packing a litterless lunch will make the lunch box clean up much easier. Reusable wrappers, such as cloth or beeswax wrappers, offer a much more eco-friendly way to pack lunch.

There you have it, 5 top tips for reducing plastic use as a family. Start implementing these healthy habits and you will contribute towards a greener future for all!