Many people place improving their health at the top of their New Year’s resolutions. For some, this means joining the gym. But for me, improving our planet’s health sits at the top of my list. In fact, I have decided to make it one of my top goals to reduce plastic use in 2024. And I’d love to share some ways you can join me in this effort.
How to Reduce Plastic Use in 2024
Back in November, I talked about how construction microplastics harm our environment. I am still working on helping to introduce an ordinance that would require construction sites to operate more cleanly. The good news is that officials seem to be taking our suggestions seriously. Hopefully, that translates into actual enforceable legislation. But there are ways that us as individuals can reduce the amount of plastic we use starting right now.
Shopping Bags
New Jersey made a huge stride in trying to eliminate single-use plastics by implementing a ban on plastic shopping bags for grocers and retail establishments back in May of 2022. It also eliminated the use of polystyrene take-out containers and limited the use of plastic straws to only when a customer asks for them. Leave the plastic cutlery behind when you get take-out as well. Keep extra cloth bags in your car for any time you go shopping, including grocery stores, retail stores, and any other place where you may need a bag to transport goods from one location to another. Additionally, mesh bags eliminate the use of plastic produce bags. So, keep a few of those with your cloth shopping bags for those quick trips to the store.
Sandwich Bags and Food Containers
Food storage has come a long way in the past couple of decades. So many companies offer better alternatives nowadays. Replace those plastic food containers with glass or stainless steel. Instead of plastic sandwich or freezer bags, consider compostable bags or reusable silicone bags. Also, instead of plastic wrap to cover your food, think about beeswax wraps.
Beverage Containers
Soda. Coffee. Water. Tea. However you choose to hydrate yourself, bypass the disposable cups. Bring a reusable cup with you, including a steel straw. Even when you go through a drive-through, let the business know that you brought a beverage container with you and would like them to fill that up.
These are only a few ways to reduce plastic use in the new year. If each of us make even a few small changes in our lives, we can make a huge difference in plastic consumption around the world. Please let me know what changes you have made to reduce your plastic use in the comment section below. I’m always open to new ideas.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate