THREE SIMPLE ZERO WASTE SWAPS
The assignment was to compose a blog post about a topic the student was passionate about. In my case, it was zero waste living.
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Three Simple Zero Waste Swaps
Recognize: Daily plastic use matters
The use of plastic is so ingrained within our daily lives, that it’s almost invisible to see how much we may use in one day alone. Everything from our toilet tissue, bread, produce, and to our phone cases is created using plastic. Sitting here at my desk as I write this blog, I see that my pens, makeup brushes, and notebooks are all made of plastic; all of which will one day be trashed and last on this planet for hundreds or thousands of years. However, I understand why plastic is used to package and hold everything. They’re able to protect, preserve, and transport material all for an inexpensive amount to produce. At the same time, we should take the time to think about when and where we use unnecessary plastic and think about the ways we can reduce or swap them for sustainable options.
The swaps
1. Use reusable bags and deny plastic ones
These were one of the first swaps I made when I decided to reduce my waste and plastic. I realized I had a lot of canvas tote bags that could easily be folded and carried in my purse. When I go to the store, I usually buy only a few things, so carrying one to two bags with me are enough. Now, I use the bags that can be shrunken and attached or put into your pocket or bags, saving space and time. When I do my large monthly shopping trips with my mother at the beginning of the month, we use larger reusable bags that you can buy in store for no more than a dollar. If you can, tell cashiers you have your own bag and have them or you bag the items. Unfortunately, many times cashiers will give you a bag before they realize your request. To avoid confusion, I usually go to the self-checkouts if the store has them. However, receiving and using plastic bags one to time times is better than using them every day.
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2. Bamboo toothbrushes
Bamboo toothbrushes are virtually the same as their plastic counterparts. After learning that the first plastic toothbrush I’ve ever used in my life is still sitting somewhere on the earth, it made me question why we use them at all. These are one of the everyday swaps that are the most unnoticeable. However, this was one I made later in my zero-waste journey because of the price. You can get a pack of 4 bamboo brushes for $7 and a pack of 5 plastic ones for $5. Despite the price, I continue to purchase them since I’m saving money with my other swaps.
3. Use a steel reusable water bottle
Before I started practicing sustainability, I always used a steel reusable water bottle because they’re the most long lasting and healthy options. The steel is easy to clean, won’t grow bacteria, and will last longer. As an added bonus, you don’t have to purchase another disposable water bottle again since you can just refill your steel one in a nearby water fountain. You can spend about $15 for a bottle that can last you years and save you money.
How to continue your zero-waste journey
These are just the ways you can begin your zero-waste journey. No one is perfect but trying to reduce your waste a little day by day is better than to not at all. You can just follow these swaps and that’ll be more than enough. However, if you want to continue to learn about the ways you can reduce your plastic and waste overall, my best advice is to research. I can’t deny that plastic is convenient, and waste is almost inevitable to create, but I believe recognizing when, where, and how we make it is the first step to creating change. I learned from the countless YouTubers and bloggers on the internet who document and share the ways they reduce their waste.