15 Ways to Reduce Plastic

I remember how heartbroken and devastated I felt about the future of our oceans & marine life when I first watched a documentary film called “Blue” over 6 months ago. By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean?! We will probably be still around and my daughter will be in her 30s... I left the cinema feeling heavy-hearted and although I felt I had to do something about it, I will be honest to tell you that I felt the problem was just way too big for me to solve on my own.

It was not until I went to a film screening of “A Plastic Ocean” in the local community that I chose to make a significant change in how I lived my life. The content and the message of this movie was fairly similar to Blue that I watched previously. But the difference was that at the end of the screening, I was offered a few practical solutions by the organiser of the screening as to how I could reduce everyday plastic. I got introduced to bamboo toothbrushes, cotton buds etc and this is where I also met the Australian Seabird Rescue Central Coast team.

It was a real shock to me to understand how much harm and damage I was causing to the ocean and its marine life unintentionally. The thought of someone being in great suffering because of daily choices I made to live a convenient and disposable life brought me so much pain and heartache. I thought I was practising ahimsa daily, the yogic principle of non-harming or non-violence, but had totally no idea of daily plastic being a cause of suffering for someone!

Being a mum of almost 2-year-old toddler and being a seaside resident, I had this strong sense of responsibility that I really had to do something about this, to change the world for the better for the future of our children. I’m not ready to see the oceans filled with more plastic than fish and if we want to stop that from happening, we really need to take action now.

Here are 15 easy ways to get you started in reducing everyday plastic. Lets ditch plastic wherever possible and start caring for our beautiful planet together. The more people join the movement, the bigger the impact will be. You CAN make a difference by changing how you live your life. It all starts with us.

1. Say no to plastic bags and bring your own shopping bags

2. Say no to plastic packaged products and use your own produce bags. Shop at bulk food shops like the Source, Scoop or Naked Foods.

3. Say no to plastic straws and use reusable bamboo straws

4. Say no to plastic tableware and use bamboo one instead

5. Say no to plastic containers and cutleries when you get takeaway

6. Say no to plastic water bottles and carry your own reusable water bottles

7. Say no to takeaway tea/coffee cups and carry your own reusable cups

8. Use bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic one. I love using BAMKIKI ones because they donate 5% of their profits to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

9. Use cloth nappies/wipes or disposable bamboo eco nappies/wipes

10. Use bamboo cotton buds by GoBamboo

11. Ditch cling wrap! I love using glass containers with bamboo lids or reuse glass jars that people usually toss in the yellow bins for recycling

12. Reuse glass jars to store nuts, seeds, grains or spices in the kitchen or to store leftover foods in the fridge

13. Choose toilet paper rolls without plastic packaging. Bambu or Who gives a crap toilet paper rolls are great and come individually wrapped in paper

14. Ditch shampoos, conditioners and shower gels that come in plastic bottle dispenser and use solid bars

15. Ditch skincare or beauty products that come in plastic containers or packaging 

There you have it. I hope you feel inspired to make a small change every day because small changes made by hundreds and thousands of people can create a significant impact on our oceans, which are the homes of marine creatures.

Other posts you may enjoy...

My Zero Waste Journey as a Mum
https://www.wayoga.com.au/blog/my-zero-waste-journey-as-a-mum

Take Your Practice Off the Mat into the World
https://www.wayoga.com.au/blog/take-your-yoga-practice-off-the-mat-into-the-world