Plastic- another human invention that got the best of us.

We all know it’s “bad,” but with each day, we continue to accept another plastic fork, cup, straw, lid, plate- you name it.

There are easy ways to reduce the unnecessary waste produced by each single-use plastic you encounter throughout your daily routine.

People often assume that being eco-friendly means investing more effort, time, and money into your habitual activities.

The truth, however, is that once you take a few baby steps towards living a more sustainable lifestyle by equipping yourself with the right tools and knowledge, reducing your waste can save you time and money in addition to perpetuating healthier choices.

Here are just three of the many ways that reducing your plastic consumption can help you live a better life.

Eat healthier food.

When you’re actively trying to avoid plastic packaging, it knocks out the great majority of processed foods.

Plastic-free food is REAL food.

That means a lot more fresh, unpackaged produce from the farmer’s market and a lot less chips and soda from the gas station. 

Save money.

When you’re avoiding plastic, the world we live in makes it much harder for you to get things on-the-go.

Lucky for you, that means you save the $5 from that Starbucks coffee (unless you bring a reusable cup) and the $4 for the plastic-wrapped granola bar that you might have picked up on a whim.

Shopping at a grocery store that offers you bulk products can be cheaper and plastic-free.  Weigh a glass jar at home and write the weight on the bottom before taking it to the store.

Once you fill it up with salt, nuts, beans- you name it- the cashier will subtract the weight of the jar and charge you for just the food. 

All that plastic is not just hurting the environment. It’s hurting you too.

Research released earlier this year found that more than 90 percent of bottled water from the world’s leading brands was contaminated with microplastics (see my post about microplastics). 

BPA is a basic building block of polycarbonate plastics, such as those used for bottled water, food packaging and other items. In its complete form, it can be considered safe; but as heat and usage break it down over time, the BPA breaks free from the polymer and can disrupt your hormone system by mimicking your natural hormones. 

Read this article from Live Science to see why BPA-free products might not be as safe as they are marketed to be. 

The American Academy of Pediatricshas a couple of recommendations for avoiding the negative health effects of plastics.

1. Don’t put plastics in the dishwasher.
2. Avoid #3, #6, and #7 plastics.
3. Avoid microwaving food or drinks in plastic. 
4. Choose stainless steel or glass over plastic. 

So, next time you’re considering grabbing a plastic-wrapped food or reheating your leftovers in a Tupperware, consider possibly making a different choice or planning ahead for next time.

Happy plastic-free living!

S.