Plastic is everywhere and that's a big problem. It can take 450 years for some types of plastic to break down. There are ocean-floating islands and landfill mountains of it clogging the planet. And while only a third of plastic packaging is recycled, there's hope for the future. Resolving the world's plastic overload will take much more than having a recycling bin in everyone's home. To help you navigate the ins and outs of curbing your plastic consumption and reducing your footprint, the team at BentallGreenOak Residential Services has curated this list of ways to cut the plastic down in your life.
Consumption
It all starts with buying. While recycling is a huge part of the three Rs, things won't really change until we collectively buy and use less plastic. The old business model of "filling a need" tends to turn a blind eye to the fact that making more will also incite buying more. So, as consumers, it's our job to think twice before buying more plastic. There are a ton of ways to do this, as we'll show below.
Buy Recycled
Using less is the best. But buying better when we have to is a close second. We're all going to buy plastic bottles. From gatorade to juice, it's hard to avoid. But buying recycled plastic supports the recycling industry on every level. And again, as every business knows, a market, a demand, and a need are things that will be filled. Check out more.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Plastic bags are a big problem. Taking a plastic bag at the store is as easy as breathing. And it's also a massive polluter. And with a little effort, it can be avoided. Bringing your own reusable cloth bags to the store isn't tough. Toss some in your car or put a few in your backpack. Some small ones even fold up tiny enough to fit in your pocket. It's all about starting the habit.
Avoid Bottled Water
Trust in the tap. The average city in Canada has very good public tap water so opt to drink from the tap instead of plowing through water bottles all the time. While levels of chlorine vary, they make Britas for that. And more importantly, using tap water - including at restaurants - promotes the demand for and investment in water at the government level. This is essential if cities and governments are going to be able to compete with the Nestles and Evians of water production. Learn more.
Bring a Mug
A traveller mug for coffee is a good thing. But it's just as good for water. Everywhere from Starbucks to the Public Library has faucets and fountains that are perfect sources of H2O. Clean out your mug the night before and set it out by the front door or somewhere conspicuous to make it easy to remember the next day.
Don't Use Plastic Wrap
Thin, wrappable plastic is undoubtedly a feat of engineering. But it's a one trick, one-use, pony. If you use it over your lifetime you're basically creating a landfill as there's no post market for it. Opt for reusable glass tupperware instead.
The BentallGreenOak Residential Services blog team hopes this list gives you some ideas for how to use less plastic, and promote sustainable living. For more information about BentallGreenOak properties in your city, please visit our website.