Over the past 50 years, consumerism has run riot, evolving to create a culture in which individuals lean towards items that are convenient, disposable, and low-cost. Suppliers are meeting this demand with products that are intentionally designed and manufactured to have a limited lifespan, after which they are discarded or replaced, giving rise to single-use items.

The convenience of these items comes at a cost, however, and as far as the consumer is concerned, this is a financial one. Though often overlooked, it should be evident that in purchasing a product multiple times, more money will be spent in the long run. In addition, there is an environment cost: an increase in consumption leads to Pollution and resource-depletion, while more waste is generated. Thus, if we were to curb these habits of convenience, we could reduce our consumption and waste.

1. PAPER COFFEE CUPS

How many of us purchase a coffee on the go? If you get a coffee on the way to work each day you consume on average 240 disposable cups per year, and even if you only buy one once a week, that still totals 52. The most environmentally friendly alternative to the common coffee cup is a reusable travel mug, which has the added benefit of not necessitating a heat-proof cardboard sleeve. You might also reduce the cost of your coffee as a lot of shops offer 5c, 10c, or even 25c off (i.e. the cost of the disposable cup) for bringing in a reusable mug.

2. BOXES OF TEA BAGS

On the subject of hot drinks, buying boxes of tea bags generates a lot of cardboard and plastic waste, while the staple and string must be removed before putting the single-use tea bag into the compost (if compostable at all). It is much more environmentally friendly to obtain loose tea that comes in a single paper bag or refillable tin. If you’re someone who takes tea out and about then consider a reusable (tea) travel mug complete with an infuser.

3. PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

Plastic bottles for water and other cold beverages are a big problem in the world of disposable items and plastics, with 1,500 plastic water bottles being consumed every second in the U.S. Carry a water bottle when expecting to need to rehydrate on the go, selecting a reusable bottle that doesn’t contain Bisphenol A (BPA) because it’s linked to several health problems, including breast and prostate cancer. Bobble even makes a water bottle that comes with its own filter enabling you to refill it from any tap.

4. DISPOSABLE CUTLERY

We can use a new set of disposable cutlery each day if we get lunch on the go or order a take-away; and although we’re now being offered wooden compostable versions of the plastic set, there is no need for disposable cutlery at all. Keep a fork, knife and spoon from home wherever you need it most, or invest in an inexpensive reusable spork or set of cutlery. Then remember to ask the café or restaurant not to include a disposable set with your take-out!

5. PLASTIC BAGS

It is recognized that plastic bags are bad for the environment, yet it is estimated between 500 billion and one trillion are used worldwide each year, the bulk of which end up in landfill (taking up to 1,000 years to decompose). Made from petrochemicals, the continued use of plastic bags accelerates the depletion of non-renewable fossil fuels, which in turn creates greenhouse gases. Refuse plastic bags using a durable, foldable, and inexpensive reusable bag that can be carried around in your car, pocket, or purse.

6. PRODUCE BAGS

It’s great to eliminate the use of plastic bags at the checkout, but we also want to avoid plastic bag use when selecting our produce. We don’t always want to throw our grapes, mushrooms, and potatoes straight into the shopping trolley or even the same bag, so it’s useful to have something reusable which can be washed after each trip to the store.

7. DISPOSABLE SINGLE-USE RAZORS

With blades made from inexpensive steel and handles made from cheap plastic, disposable razors have always been made for single use. Two billion of them, along with the paper and plastic packaging, are discarded in the U.S. each year; and because most of it can’t be reused or recycled the disposable razors and blade cartridges find their way into landfills. If you want to shave daily invest in a durable electric shaver, refillable razor, or straight razor. If you must use a disposable razor, choose one like Recycline from Preserve.

8. MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

Each year in the United States, an estimated 12 billion sanitary pads and 7 billion tampons are disposed of, in addition to all of the cardboard applicators as well as packaging. The most environmentally friendly option is the menstrual cup, which is not only reusable but also contains no dioxin or rayon and is easy to maintain. There are several options, such as the Diva Cup, whilst for those who prefer external-use products, there are reusable cloth pads, such as Glad Rags.

9. DISPOSABLE CLEANING CLOTHS AND CLOTHING

Disposable cleaning cloths are one of many single-use cleaning products available. Primarily synthetic and therefore not readily biodegradable, they are yet another product that ends up in our overflowing landfills. It is much more environmentally friendly to use another product, such as a microfiber cloth that can be washed regularly to avoid bacterial or viral build-up, which will be kept out of the waste stream for longer.

Every year 100 billion new clothing items are produced, 60% of all clothing is made from plastic which either goes right to the landfill or is burned in incinerators, and over 2.2 million tons of microfiber Pollution from synthetic clothing enters our oceans! So it’s important to be conscious of your fashion footprint when you think about cutting out plastic from your life. Sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue are paving the way by designing recycled and plastic-free clothes that produce no waste. They can be returned and remade into new products over and over again!

10. FOOD PACKAGING

The smaller the bag or box, the higher the cost and more packaging waste, whether landfill or recyclable. Instead of choosing single-serving items, opt for bulk options. Most stores offer “scoop-you-own” bins, including beans, grains, nuts, spices, and sugar, as well as pre-packaged bulk packages of common goods. Store in an airtight container so as to preserve the lifespan of the food and, if possible, go to the store with the containers to eliminate all packaging.

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that are raising awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
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• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!