It has been a while since I did a Waste Wednesday post. Well today we are going to look at plastic waste and how we can reduce it a home; whether in our shopping, eating out or even normal daily activities that we sometimes partake in without the slightest thought.

Plastic waste is becoming a huge problem globally. Solutions to reduce the plastic we produce is been done and researched on every day. Countries like Sweden have found a way to produce energy from burning plastic waste. Other countries like Rwanda have banned the use and production of plastic bags. There are many positive and inspiring efforts on ways countries, especially their citizens, are reducing their plastic waste. There is hope.

Yes we may have solutions to our plastic filled dumping sites, oceans, towns and the entirety of the environment as a whole, but all this can be avoided to prevent the channeling of harmful plastic chemicals (carcinogens) into our environment.

I personally support reducing and reusing as opposed to recycling. Before we recycle we should first consider the long term effects especially the costs incurred when we recycle. Truth is, recycling is expensive especially for developing countries. I’m not saying this cannot be done, because it can and is/will be done. But in the meantime, we can make a difference by how we live our lives in the present and reduce our very own plastic waste production.

Here are five ways on how YOU can reduce your own Plastic Waste Footprint:

1. Use Reusable Bottles and Cups

Plastic bottles (The Story of Bottled Water) and plastic cups are an easy way to reduce plastic waste. No major effort required here. Get yourself a reusable bottle, whether plastic (BPA-Free), stainless steel or glass. They are relatively affordable depending on the materials used. Just Plastics in Kenya makes BPA-Free reusable plastic bottles for an affordable price.

2.25 billion Paper cups are used worldwide each year. This means a lot of plastic lids fill our landfills, oceans and even inside animals. Use your own reusable thermos cup next time you’re in a coffee shop for your take away coffee/tea/cocoa.

You will be one step closer to reducing your plastic footprint.

Reusable Water Bottle Credits: Just Plastics Kenya

2. Carry an Eco-Bag

Paper bags everywhere. Five billion to one trillion plastic bags are used each year around the world. This is a lot of waste. Most, if not all, households have a cupboard (especially under the sink) or a section in their kitchen to store their plastic bags.

Well, reusing is amazing but we need to reduce the amount of plastic bags that litter our environment.

An eco-bag (reusable shopping bag) is the way to go. They can be reused plenty of times and are washable. Always have one with you and do not hesitate to tell the attendant packing your goods at the supermarket or store not to pack using the plastics bags. You can choose to skip the plastic bags if you have few items. The plastic bag is free but they pose a high environmental cost.

Reusable Bag Credits: Kenya Tote Bags

3. Use containers to store food

Keep all your reusable glass and plastic containers and use them to store left overs or pack food with. You can carry your packed lunch or snack in them too. You can also choose to carry your containers when you want to eat take away food from restaurants.

With the advent of milk bars, you can use reusable bottles for milk instead of buying plastic milk packets.

Storage containers

4. Buy food products in bulk

Most plastic waste is spawned in the kitchen. Currently in Kenya, there are few to none dry food stores that are refill dry ingredients in the urban areas (looking for a partner). In most rural areas, this shops/stores are there. Carrying your own containers when you want to restock will reduce your plastic footprint.

Other ways you can do your shopping in bulk is by buying dry food products in large quantities other than in small measures  which you might do once or twice a week compared to once a month in bulk shopping.

5. Say no to straws and gum

 This may be difficult for many of you, especially if you have children.  But imagine the turtles and birds you will save from not using plastic straws and gum. For your information, gum has platicizer, and synthetic rubber AKA plastics.

Plastic straws are a single use item that are most times not even necessary.

Raise a generation that will understand the effects of plastic straws and gums to our environment, to our wildlife.

Turtle with straw

Let us get on the path of reducing our PLASTIC FOOTPRINT.