Unfortunately, it is a sad certainty that our plastic consumption is causing great harm to the environment. If you want to change this, you should use fewer disposable products. We will show you sensible alternatives.
Living sustainably is not as difficult as many people think. It only takes a few simple steps to reduce your own plastic consumption. This means the land and sea are sustainably protected. This makes it all the more important to change or improve our consumer behavior in order to avoid plastic waste. Here you can find out which tips can make the change uncomplicated and inexpensive in every household.
Tip 1: Use fruit and vegetable nets
Many foods such as fruit and vegetables are already offered for sale unpackaged – but here too we like to use plastic bags, which then end up in the trash. A sensible alternative here would be to simply use your own to bring with you. On the one hand, you can use it again and again (and wash it), and on the other hand, you use significantly less plastic with every purchase.
Tip 2: Replace plastic products from everyday life
There are too many products in our household that we use wastefully without thinking about the consequences. From the environmentally friendly and washable up to There are plenty of good alternatives to plastic products – reusable ones are particularly recommended which can permanently replace cling film, which is still popular in many households.
Tip 3: Bring your own containers
It may be a bit unusual, his own to bring with you to the supermarket – but fresh foods such as cheese and sausage can be transported home in your own containers. There are now even more and more health food stores and weekly markets where you can fill loose flour, sugar, sweets, grains, etc. into your own cans. In this way, you not only avoid unnecessary plastic waste, but you can also determine the amount individually.
Tip 4: Use glass more often
For us it is a matter of course that we buy drinks filled in Tetrapaks or PET bottles: whether milk or fruit juices, mineral water or soft drinks. It is better to use glass bottles, as they are much more environmentally friendly. The same applies to straws, which produce an extremely large amount of plastic waste. If you need it for health reasons, we recommend it including cleaning brushes.
Tip 5: Bring your own coffee mug
In Germany alone, around 5,000 coffee cups are thrown away every minute. Although they are made of cardboard on the outside, they have a thin plastic coating at the core – otherwise the hot coffee would soak the paper. If you’re one of those people who likes to have a hot drink on the go, we have a tip for you: take your own and have it filled in the café. In many stores this is rewarded with a small discount.
Tip 6: Reuse plastic multiple times
Of course, there are everyday items that we cannot completely do without or that we have already bought. But instead of throwing them away, try to use them multiple times. Empty plastic containers that previously contained shampoo or shower gel can be refilled in the unpackaged store. Empty plastic containers that once contained ice cream or something similar can be used as be used. However, you should be careful not to put any hot food in it or put plastic containers in it to heat!
Tip 7: Avoid plastic bags
More and more supermarkets are banning plastic bags from their range and offering alternative cardboard carrier bags – but these have to be purchased. To save costs and limit paper usage, it makes far more sense to bring your own bag. Not only are they particularly robust and therefore can be used over a long period of time, they can also be washed and thus freed from food residue if necessary.
Tip 8: Swap plastic for silicone
You probably know this too: especially in the kitchen, we tend to use cling film to preserve opened food for longer. On the one hand, this is of course very laudable if you counteract the prevailing food waste. On the other hand, you continually produce plastic waste. You can avoid this by clicking on or use fabrics that are stretchy and dishwasher safe.
Tip 9: Use plastic-free hygiene products
In order to practice our daily personal hygiene, we use a variety of different cosmetic products in plastic packaging. Here too, you can avoid plastic waste by using alternative products such as compostable ones one with natural keratin or even a handmade one transfer. These natural hygiene products were produced sustainably and are completely plastic-free.
Tip 10: Drink more tap water
took a closer look at 32 different mineral waters – the result was that undesirable germs and critical ingredients were found in every second sample. For this reason, it is not only much healthier to switch to tap water, but also more environmentally friendly as you avoid plastic bottles. If you still prefer to drink carbonated water, we recommend one .
Tip 11: Avoid products with microplastics
Unfortunately, there are a large number of hygiene and cosmetic products that contain microplastics and therefore pollute our oceans. According to this, the plastic parts can be found in peelings and facial cleansers, shower gels and body care baths, shampoo and conditioners, etc. If you want to avoid plastic waste, only buy items that contain the following ingredients not Included are: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Tip 12: Don’t throw cigarette butts on the floor
For many smokers, it is natural to put their cigarette butts on the ground outdoors – and then leave them there. The filters also contain plastic! Even if there are already special trash cans with integrated ashtrays, these can often only be found in large cities. If you want to do something good for the environment, it’s better to collect the butts in a mobile one and dispose of them properly at the next opportunity.
Tip 13: Wear more clothes made from natural fibers
Unless your clothing was produced sustainably, it is often made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyacrylic, polyamide or elastane. When the textiles are cleaned, microscopic fibers come off with every wash, which in turn contribute to environmental pollution. Here you can avoid plastic waste by wearing more clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk or linen – fair trade.
Tip 14: Give your children plastic-free toys
Apart from the fact that cheaply produced toys often contain plasticizers that are harmful to health, there are millions of stable and non-toxic alternatives made of wood, melamine or fabric for your child. From the on the up to There are lots of toys without plastic. If you still can’t do without Lego & Co., you should at least not order new products, but rather buy used toys at flea markets or on the Internet.
Tip 15: Use biodegradable dog poop bags
There is also a way for dog owners to avoid plastic waste: by using Made from recycled material, which is also biodegradable, you can make your contribution to environmental protection. After all, you have to walk your dog several times a day, so you throw a lot of plastic bags with your four-legged friend’s waste in the trash.
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Source: Stern
