According to Greenpeace, only 9% of the world's plastic gets recycled. Instead, plastic waste continues to collect in our landfills and in our oceans. Other than recycling, the only way to reduce plastic pollution is to reduce our use of plastic. Here are ways we can all reduce our plastic waste. Stop Using Plastic Straws. Plastic straws are among the non-recyclable plastic items that we should avoid using, along with plastic coffee lids. If you prefer drinking from a straw, there are non-plastic options readily available. Reusable silicone straws come in all styles and sizes, and often come in sets that include a thin bottle brush for cleaning. Get A Reusable Water Bottle. Disposable water bottles end up in the trash rather than the recycle bin. In addition, many disposable cups are made of mixed materials, and therefore can't be recycled. A simple solution is to get a reusable water bottle. Get Reusable Tote Bags. Globally, we use up to one trillion plastic grocery bags each year, which leaves a huge footprint in plastic pollution. Using your own reusable tote is a good alternative. You can even invest in reusable produce bags for your fresh vegetables and fruit.
Since California adopted the nation's first ban on single-use plastic shopping bags in 2014, most grocery stores have turned to thicker, reusable plastic bags that are supposed to be recyclable. But Attorney General Rob Bonta is now investigating whether the bags are truly recyclable as required by law.
