Purging the Plastic
Getting rid of plastic doesn’t have to be a pain.
 |
Using reusable bottles instead of plastic bottles like these helps cut down on plastic waste. |
A quick look around the kitchen and it’s clear. Clear as plastic.
There are vegetables in pre-packaged plastic bags, water in plastic bottles and a plastic bag filled with dozens of other plastic bags under the sink. Most of these plastic items will end up in a plastic garbage bag.
Plastic’s convenience is undeniable. Ready-to-eat fruits and veggies, grab-and-go water and plastic shopping bags allow busy people to avoid slowing down.
Unfortunately this convenience is costly to the environment.
“Perceived inconvenience is the biggest reason people don’t recycle,” said David Smith, an environmental specialist for the Public Works Department in East Lansing, Mich.
In the spirit of convenience, here’s how to easily purge the plastic.
- Reduce the bags you use. Use the self-checkout and pack more items per bag or carry small items instead of bagging them.
- Buy durable shopping bags. Many retailers sell reusable canvas shopping bags. They cost about a dollar and often hold more than a standard plastic bag.
- Re-use bags. They can substitute for packing peanuts or bubble wrap when sending fragile mail, makeshift rainwear or trash bags. If they don’t fit your waste can, check out containerstore.com, where for only $4.99 you can buy a wastebasket made from recycled materials. This basket is equipped with side grips that easily secure the handles of plastic grocery bags and stores other plastic bags.
- Recycle. Some retailers accept clean, dry bags for recycling. Find out which ones at plasticbagrecycling.org.
- Donate. Thrift shops, libraries and animal shelters always need plastic bags. Donations save them money and help limit harmful plastic production.
- Buy heavy duty, re-usable water bottles. Disposable bottles are not accepted for bottle deposits in most states and are far less likely to be recycled. Reusable bottles reduce waste and save you money.
- Use plastic containers. Unlike plastic bags, plastic containers can be reused, significantly reducing plastic in the trash.
- Reuse food containers. Butter tubs, Cool Whip containers and even take-out containers can be washed and reused.
- Bring your own doggy bag. Instead of using another plastic take-out container, tell restaurants to keep it and bring your own.
Krysta Michorczyk is a junior majoring in journalism at MSU. This is her first appearance in EJ Magazine Online. Contact Krysta at michorcz@msu.edu. Kathryn J. DeSantis is a freshman majoring in journalism at MSU. This is her first appearance in EJ Magazine Online. Contact Kathryn at desant14@msu.edu
 |
|
|
