So, you decided to go zero waste. Wonderful! Or maybe you’ve been living the zero waste lifestyle for a while now. Still wonderful! But here’s a topic that applies to all zero wasters at some point or another: Plastics. What the heck are you supposed to do with them? It’s hard to avoid running into plastic, even when you are living a zero waste lifestyle. Maybe you have some plastic leftover from before you went zero waste (like Tupperware) that you haven’t gotten rid of yet. Or maybe your doctor prescribed pills to you and they only come in a plastic container. The struggle is real. So what’s the solution?
Here’s mine: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Okay, okay, so you’ve heard that before. But in this post, I’m going to explain step by step what each one means and how to apply them to your life. Not to mention I’ll also be explaining the wonders of recycling plastic. Did you know not all plastic can be recycled, or that some are more toxic to human health than others? Well, now you do. And you’ll know more if you keep reading.
But before you do, I want you to know something: Go easy on yourself. All too often I see people in zero waste groups ready to pounce on those who haven’t given plastic up entirely. Don’t do that to one another. You want to set an example, not drive people away. If you still have plastic in your life and are trying to live as zero waste as possible, it can be done! You just have to know the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. So lets get to ’em.
This post contains some affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
This post contains some affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
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Reduce
Okay, so first up: Reduce. This one seems simple enough. Essentially, the best way to live a zero waste lifestyle is to reduce the amount of waste you create, right? So the same applies to plastic: Just reduce the amount of plastic you use. You can do this buy simply choosing not to buy products made out of plastic.
For example, lets say you’re strolling along an aisle of a store. You’re going to be hosting a party in a few weeks and have been thinking about what your guests will be eating on. Unfortunately, it’s not a small gathering, otherwise you’d be happy to break out the silverware and fancy china set. But there’s going to be more than 20 people there!
You happen to pass by a shelf loaded with disposable items such as plastic forks, knives, spoons, plates, and cups. Not only are they made out of plastic but they’re also packaged in plastic. You’re almost tempted to buy them, especially when you see how cheap they are. But you’re stronger than that: Instead, you resolve to purchase something online from one of your favorite zero waste stores. You wind up buying a biodegradable set of cutlery, plates, and cups. Boom! You just reduced your use of plastic my friend.
By simply vowing to make better choices, and maybe doing a little research, you can easily reduce your plastic footprint by a ton load. And if you’re unsure as to where you could find eco-friendly, zero waste options (like biodegradable cutlery), I have a few suggestions to make your life easier. Here are my favorite places to shop for zero waste anything: Tiny Yellow Bungalow and Life Without Plastic. You’re welcome.
Here are some other ways you can reduce your plastic waste:
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Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw.
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Stop using plastic bags and use a reusable produce bag instead. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade. Buy or DIY your own produce bag and wash it often.
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Give up gum: It’s made out of synthetic rubber (aka plastic).
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Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic.
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Give up water bottles. Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop (like Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks).
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Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag (this reduces the amount of Styrofoam waste, which is what most restaurants pack leftovers in).
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Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters (or invest in a cool looking refillable metal lighter).
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Avoid buying frozen foods because their packaging is mostly plastic. Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic (bummer).
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Don’t use plasticware at home and be sure to request restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box.
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Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby’s carbon footprint and save money. After all, the EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the US each year (yuck).
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Don’t buy juice in plastic bottles: Make your own fresh squeezed juice or eat more fruit.
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Make your own cleaning products and put them in glass jars.
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Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. There are some really nice ones in the shops I suggested above.
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Opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single serving cups.
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Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor.
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Reuse
Okay, you understand the reducing part. But what about the plastic already in your life? What are you supposed to do with that? Well, you could recycle it (which is the next section), or you could just reuse it. I like this option because it promotes upcycling, and upcycling is where your creative comes to play.
You don’t have to be an art wiz to upcycle and reuse your plastic: You just have to think logically. Obviously, plastic Tupperware that’s brand new shouldn’t be dumped in the trash just because you’re living a zero waste lifestyle now. In fact, plastic should never be dumped in the trash. Just keep reusing it until it’s old and funky (then recycle it – assuming you can – see the recycle section as to why I say that).
Turn those plastic pill bottles into spice holders, or salt and pepper shakers. Just make sure to wash them out before you do it. Or, cut a plastic bottle in half and use the bottom half to hold pens and pencils in. The top half can be turned upside down (standing on the cap) and used to hold small jewelry (like rings and earrings).
Want to get more creative? Here are some ideas to jump start your brain:
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Make those plastic bottles into pencil holders, watering cans, bird feeders, lanterns, or jewelry holders.
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Collect bottle caps and use them to create 3D art.
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Create a 3D plastic painting. All you would need is a piece of paper, a few plastic bottles, scissors, a hot glue gun, acrylic paint, and some brushes. You could decide to wing it, or plan out exactly what you want to create.
- Paint plastic bottles or containers and use them as ‘vases’.
- Use plastic bottles to grow plants in: Just cut the top off, add soil, seeds, and water. You can even poke little drainage holes in the bottom, if need be.
- Carefully cut the inner section out of a plastic bottle so there’s a hole on one of it’s sides. Fill it up with plastic bags, or store other items in there.
- Turn a milk jug into a bird feeder.
- Donate your plastic-anything (cups, Tupperware, toys) to your friends, family, or stores so it will be reused by someone else (if you truly don’t want to reuse it yourself).
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Recycle
Last but certainly not least: Recycling. Yes, I’m fully aware you want to avoid having to recycle anything. After all, doesn’t recycling mean you’re still technically creating waste? Yes and no: The good news is when you recycle, the plastic isn’t going to a landfill to sit around for 1,000s of years. The bad news is…not all plastic is created equal. What does that mean? Glad you asked.
There are different forms of plastic and each one is unique in terms of how easy it is to recycle and how toxic it is to humans/environment. Greeeeat. Thankfully, there’s a way to tell what sort of plastic something is made from: Symbols! On most plastic containers, there are these weird looking symbols that look like this:
Yeah I know. Strange right? Thankfully, I’m going to help you decode them. This will give you a better sense of which plastics you need to recycle, which you need to reuse, and which you need to completely eliminate (ahem, reduce) in your life.
Here’s your full guide to those weird symbols on plastic:
Plastic #1 – PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Plastic #1 is usually clear and used to make soda and water bottles. It’s picked up by most curbside recycling programs. Some consider it safe, but this plastic is known to allow bacteria to accumulate.
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Thankfully, it is recyclable: Plastic #1 is usually recycled into tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, fiber, and polar fleece.
Plastic #2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
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Plastic #2 is typically opaque and picked up by most curbside recycling programs. This plastic is one of the 3 plastics considered to be safe, and has a lower risk of leaching icky chemicals.
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It’s found mostly in household cleaner containers, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, juice bottles, detergent bottles, cereal box liners, motor oil bottles, butter tubs and yogurt tubs.
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Plastic #2 is recycled into pens, recycling containers, picnic tables, lumber, benches, fencing, and detergent bottles.
Plastic #3 – V or PVC (Vinyl)
- Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs.
- These plastics used to, and still may, contain phthalates, which are linked to numerous health issues ranging from developmental problems to miscarriages. They also contain DEHA, which can be carcinogenic with long-term exposure. DEHA has also been linked to loss of bone mass and liver problems. Um, say what? Don’t cook with or burn this plastic.
- It’s found in shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, cooking oil bottles, medical equipment, piping, and windows.
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This plastic is recycled into paneling, flooring, speed bumps, decks, and roadway gutters.
Plastic #4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
- Low density polyethylene is most found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, clothing, carpet, frozen food, bread bags, and some food wraps. Curbside recycling programs haven’t been known to pick up this plastic, but more are starting to accept it. Plastic #4 rests among the recycling symbols considered to be safe.
- This plastic is recycled into compost bins, paneling, trash can liners and cans, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes.
Plastic #5 – PP (Polypropylene)
- Increasingly becoming accepted by curbside recycle programs, plastic #5 is also one of the safer plastics to look for.
- It is typically found in yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and medicine bottles.
- Polypropylene is recycled into brooms, auto battery cases, bins, pallets, signal lights, ice scrapers, and bicycle racks.
Plastic #6 – PS (Polystyrene)
- Polystyrene is Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle, and thus, bad for the environment. This kind of plastic also poses a health risk, leaching potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Most recycling programs won’t accept it – so don’t buy or use it!
- Plastic #6 is found in compact disc cases, egg cartons, meat trays, and disposable plates and cups.
- It is recycled into egg cartons, vents, foam packing, and insulation.
Plastic #7 – Other, Miscellaneous
- All of the plastic resins that don’t fit into the other categories are placed in the number 7 category. It’s a mix bag of plastics that includes polycarbonate, which contains the toxic bisphenol-A (BPA).
- These plastics should be avoided due to possibly containing hormone disruptors like BPA, which has been linked to infertility, hyperactivity, reproductive problems, and other health issues. Um, no thanks.
- Plastic #7 is found in sunglasses, iPod cases, computer cases, nylon, 3- and 5-gallon water bottles, and bullet-proof materials. It is recycled into plastic lumber and other custom-made products.
So which plastics should you and shouldn’t you recycle?
Avoid recycling plastic with the symbols 3, 6, and 7 on them. Also, while number 1 is generally consider safe, try to avoid this plastic. If you do have any in your house, find a way to reuse it.
The sort of plastic that you can definitely recycle (and are the safest) are ones with the symbols 2 and 5. Plastic 4 is a little harder to recycle, so try to avoid it if you can. That said, all 3 plastics are considered safe for humans and animals to consume edibles from. That said, try to reduce using these as much as possible.
Conclusion
There’s no denying our world has a plastic addiction. That said, there are ways to help the environment without feeling like you need to get rid of all plastic right off the bat. Just put this reduce, reuse, and recycle guide into action and you’ll be off to a great start. And if you make a mistake? Learn from it. It’s not the end of the world.
What are your thoughts on plastic recycling?
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Hi, we just wondered if it would be possible for you to add our website to your list of zero-waste resources.
We are a voluntary run database of charities mainly based in the Uk, which can fund raise with saving used postage stamps off mail. As you'll see from our site, we do not handle donations ourselves, we list the charities and the donations go direct to them.
We would be so grateful if it was possible for you to help spread the word.
**** PLEASE SAVE YOUR USED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR CHARITY, INSTEAD OF THROWING THEM AWAY***
Millions of people, young and old, are stamp collectors (philatelists), and philately is an educational and fun hobby.
Couple this with helping charities as well, keeping stamps out of landfill, and instead recycling stamps to collectors!!!!!
This is a webpage listing charities in the UK which collect used postage stamps to raise money for charity. Charities find used stamps, which they then sort, and sell on to collectors and philatelists, an excellent source of extra income, and you are helping save the environment and reduce waste by not binning them! What could be better?
Whether your stamps are recent or old, common or rare, wherever they come from across the world, every stamp can be saved!
The charities/ volunteers listed on our free, volunteer-run directory website collect used postage stamps for charities. Please send your used stamps to any of them, all donations of stamps will be most gratefully received! Used postage stamps for charity fundraising
http://usedstampsforcharity.weebly.com/
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