Plastic is everywhere. Some of it is important – think medical equipment, but others are just wasteful.
Every day, Canadians waste about half a kilogram of plastic packaging. Plenty of that packaging comes in the form of single use plastics when you’re out and about during your day – at the coffee shop, grabbing a quick lunch before heading back to work and more. The worst culprits of the lot are plastic pieces you use once and throw away. Here are five of the worst culprits. It’s time to say no to:
1. Plastic Straws
When you pop in to your favourite fast food restaurant, tell them you don’t need a straw. Everyday Canadians discard 57 million straws. Switching to a glass or stainless steel straw that you can reuse can make a big impact!
2. Plastic Bottles
If you need to have water in tow for your son’s football games, for instance, use refillable stainless steel bottles instead. As it stands, there are 4,000 plastic bottles used every second! Yowza. Just making this simple swap will make a huge difference.
3. Plastic Bags
When you’re picking up a sandwich to go, say no to the bag that almost always comes with it. It takes 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture all the bags our American neighbours use in a single year. You really shouldn’t need a whole bag to tote your lunch back to the office anyway.
4. Plastic Utensils
Instead of grabbing plastic forks and knives for your fast food, bring your own reusable utensils. Just pop them in your bag and you’ll never have to resort to using disposable utensils to eat your salad.
5. Plastic Coffee Cups, Lids and Stirrers
Get your coffee fix without wasting disposable cups, lids and stirrers. It’s as simple as swapping these for a reusable mug! Buy a couple to keep in your car and at school or work so you’ll never be without one.
Rethink your plastic footprint when you’re out and about by taking our quiz this Rivers to Oceans Week. Learn more at RiversToOceans.ca
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6 comments
I have made a vow to never buy another plastic water bottle, even when travelling.
Straws have been out of the question for a long time.
Ditto with take out coffee cups and plastic utensils. Hint: leave camping utensils in your glove compartment or purse just in case . There are ‘all in one’ utensils available in camping stores.
I have not used grocery plastic bags for…decades!
And I’m still drowning in plastic!!
Elizabeth thanks for the tip, I have those “all in one” utensils but never thought to carry one around with me.
I also think helium balloons shud be banned – weddings, carnivals, kids parties, etc. Get rid of all helium machines (or whatever they R actually called) and the problem quits.
When eating at a restaurant and you want to take left-overs home, ask if they have recyclable containers or aluminum (which is recyclable) instead of Styrofoam.
Salivating reading this post. Such a great variety of delicious food! Can’t wait to try some of them. Thanks for including ours!Keep sharing.
Extremely useful information specially the food delivery trends apps.Thank you for sharing this article. Keep sharing