It hasn’t even been two years since California banned single-use plastic bags. This movement to create less waste may have been a small inconvenience at first, requiring shoppers to get onboard and bring their own reusable bags or purchase reusable 10-cent bags. This change in the way we shop ultimately hasn’t been that big of a deal, as customers adjusted and simply took up the practice of reusing bags.
The plastic bag ban is one step in the right direction, but other practices related to our food consumption can also help reduce the amount of trash that goes into landfills.
Health-conscious people consider daily how their eating habits affect their health, but how often do we think about how our daily habits affect the environment? A ban on plastic bags is an example of a small change in daily practices that has the potential for big environmental impact. Ecologists are studying the potential for plastics to enter the food supply through the soil and the ocean.
Now Californians have become accustomed to bringing their own bags to the market, and forgetting to take bags along can feel as odd as leaving your cellphone at home. Maybe change is not so hard after all.
Californians are often leaders in environmentally conscious living for the rest of the country, but there’s much more we can do to reduce waste — particularly from plastic, single-use materials.
Reconsider plastic straws
It’s possible that straws will be one of the next plastic products to be considered for a large-scale ban. Seattle and San Francisco have taken action to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils, and some large companies are joining in as well.
Environmentalists are concerned about straws entering the ocean and endangering sea life. Those of us concerned with the sustainability of seafood and the health of the ocean can opt to not use plastic straws as a measure of environmental stewardship. You may notice some eateries offering less controversial paper straws, and stainless steel straws may serve as an alternative.
Pack lunches with less waste
When packing lunch for yourself of your family, the amount of trash from daily brown bag lunches can certainly add up.
Single-use items like paper bags, disposable zipper bags and plastic cutlery can be swapped out for reusable lunch bags and flatware.
You may opt for eco-friendly zipper top bags for your grapes, pretzels and veggie sticks that can be washed, dried and reused.
Bee’s Wrap is a plastic wrap alternative that is sturdy and can be used multiples times to wrap up and transport sandwiches or wedges of cheese, for example. Investing in reusable lunch packing items can help your wallet while reducing waste.
Eating out consciously
You may have noticed when eating at a quick-service restaurant or getting takeout the sheer amount of trash created from your meal. From the cup and wrappers to the plastic utensils and sauce containers, there is a lot to toss out after you’re done eating.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a meal out. Simply look for shortcuts to help cut down on waste, like forgoing a lid and straw with your drink, taking only as many paper napkins as you will need, or opting out of a to-go bag if you plan to eat at the restaurant.
Choose to reuse
There may be places that you frequent, like coffee shops or convenience stores, that would welcome you bringing your own cup to fill instead of using their branded single-use cups. Regular use of a refillable water bottle instead of a disposable plastic one can have a significant impact on how much trash you are creating just to stay hydrated.
As consumers take on more environmentally conscious habits and support like-minded businesses, more food service establishments will follow the lead and change their practices too.
LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian, provides nutrition counseling and consulting to individuals, families and businesses. She can be reached at RD@halfacup.com.