Plastic Alternatives | Reduce Waste Series

These trash bags are 100% compostable as they’re BPI and VINCOTTE certified. There are many brands out there, I found this on Amazon and it has worked quite well. We empty our bin once every 5 – 7 days. After switching to these bags about two months ago, we’ve only taken plastic bags from the stores twice.

I’m still working on this as many restaurants in NYC serve you water with a plastic straw as soon as you get seated. I need to make it a habit to tell them no straw sooner. I’ve read that 6 million-tons of single-use plastics such as straws and utensils get thrown out every year. I bought these bamboo straws recently, and have been carrying them in my bag. I’ve also been using my utensils when dining at a place that only uses single-use plastic utensils.

My husband likes to buy iced drinks in summer. I bought him a reusable tumbler a while ago and he has been using it at work and when he to-go his drinks. We haven’t to-go food that comes in plastic containers for a few months now, but I bought this metal bento box for to-go food in the future.

I love how Lush’s products are cruelty-free and all natural. I also love the fact that their black pot containers are returnable, and you get a fresh mask for every 5 empty pots. I also want to opt for skin care containers and food jars that are made out of glass.

Like plastic straws, cotton buds are single-use plastics. I’ve been using paper cotton buds instead of the plastic-stems for years now. Many countries are working towards banning the plastic ones.