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Step 1
Avoid buying disposable plastic water bottles. Instead, use your own water bottle and refill it with filtered water or tap water. If you're concerned about using Nalgenes or other reusable plastic bottles, opt for stainless steel or glass models.
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Step 2
Go back to brown-bagging it. However, instead of using a tired paper sack, spice up your lunch break with a cool reusable tote or lunch box. L.L. Bean sells lunch boxes for children and adults in durable nylon. Pack your sandwiches in wax paper or use reusable containers to store leftovers from home. Tupperware, which is plastic, or Pyrex, which is glass, make containers of different sizes.
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Step 3
Give those lunch containers double duty. Bring them with you when you go out to eat and ask the server to pack your leftovers in them. This way you'll avoid using unnecessary Styrofoam or plastic boxes.
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Step 4
Hit the grocery store with your own grocery sacks. There are so many reusable bag options today and several large grocery chains offer money back when you bring your own bags. Online, you can find bags for packing groceries and carrying your produce. Rather than reaching for several small plastic bags in the produce section, bring your own washable sacks. Reusable grocery bags are easier to carry and you can pack more into them than in regular plastic bags.
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Step 5
Bring your own bags when shopping anywhere or refuse a bag for smaller items that you can easily carry on your own.
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Step 6
Use biodegradable alternatives to plastic. There are biodegradable dog poop bags, and many coffee houses and cafes use biodegradable cups, utensils and containers. Products made from corn and sugar cane are easy to compost and break down over time.
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Step 7
Think about the other plastic items you use daily. Pens, toothbrushes, combs and other implements come in earth-friendly forms. Next time you're ready to toss one of these items, think about replacing it with an alternative version.
