We are drowning the world in plastic.
Most of it75% in the U.S.never gets recycled.
Recycling it still takes10% of the energyof making new plasticnot nothing.
It would be nice to use a little less in the first place.
Reporter Jenna Worthamasked Twitter followersfor some ways to use less disposable plastic.
But would it be that terrible to try one or two of these tips?
No, it would not be terrible.
It actually might be enjoyable.
(Get the ones that fold up small.)
Reuse your Ziplocs, at least the dry ones.
Here is a major caveat: Do not buy a plastic replacement unless youre ready to use it.
If you dont use them,reusable grocery bags are just a new innovation in garbage.
Decline freebies or find a good use.
Replace your other disposable plastic
Try somereusable food wrapsinstead of Saran Wrap, likeKasia Mychajlowycz.
Try bar soap instead of plastic-bottled body wash, likeAimee Louise Sison.
Look for brands that sell the same thing in paper instead of plastic.
Next time you host a party, see if you have enough real dishes to cover everyone.
When you do buy disposable stuff, lean toward paper again.
One thermos, which you keep for years.
Keep a glass water bottle at your desk, and acollapsible water bottlein your bag.
Medium level: bring your own reusable silverware around, likeChristine Friar.
Hard level: Bring your own takeout containers to restaurants, saysAna Cecilia Alvarez.
Handle your own doggie bag instead of making the staff go fetch you some fresh garbage for your leftovers.
Get less takeout
This is a tough one for me.
Look up your local recycling rules
Bad recycling drives mecrazy.
Some people at the Lifehacker officecertainly not Lifehacker staffers!throw goddamnplastic bagsinto the blue bin.
You cannot do that!
Not in most places!
You are creating problems for the recycling center and you are ruining everyone elses good work!
Now yeah, its frustrating that different cities and states have different recycling rules.
A lot of these chains have a plastic bag recycling bin right out front; several states mandate this.
Twitters@shityeahitscoolpoints toPlasticFilmRecycling.org, where it’s possible for you to find nearby dropoff locations.
Not a difficult habit to get into.
These tricks will not save the world.
