Reducing plastic in everyday life is a challenge. Living without plastic is possible. It is available to everyone. Here are some tips to achieve it. The use, or rather abuse, of plastic has exploded in the last decades and is producing important negative consequences for the environment, health and economy throughout the planet. The problem is not the plastic itself, but the wasteful way in which it is used and also that little attention is paid to its long-term effects on health. Look around. You may see many plastic objects that you consider essential: the computer, the mobile phone or credit cards. It is not easy, but it can be significantly reduced the use of domestic plastic, as well as the use of petroleum products. Now, to try it supposes some effort, of time and some discomforts. It is an exercise of environmental self-control that surely has a great educational and sensitizing utility and, in addition, allows us to become aware of our dependence on crude oil. 1. Stop buying juices, sodas and other drinks that come in plastic bottles Although it is more cumbersome to buy returnable bottles it is better to buy plastic bottles, there are even some companies that offer their contents in glass bottles. That's why it's always better to go for that option if possible. However, the best advice is to drink natural fruit juices whose pulp does not come bottled. 2. No more chewing gum! Chewing gum is basically like chewing plastic. Since the Second World War researchers dedicated to analyzing food have stopped using natural gum in chewing gum and have replaced it with synthetic rubber known as polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate. These substances are considered toxic and are known to have produced cancerous tumors in laboratory rats. However, due to industry pressure they have not been banned. To this is added that chewing gum is not biodegradable so it causes damage to the environment when it is thrown away. 3. Use glass or metal in your fridge When it comes to storing things in your fridge you do not need to do it in plastic containers. Glass containers work the same if they are filled only two thirds of their capacity. The jars are good for storing foods such as salsa and milk. To ensure that these foods stay well in these containers, this advice should be followed: when removing them from the refrigerator, let them thaw slowly. Stainless steel is also a good option to change plastic containers. 4. Say no to cigarettes The cigarettes generate a lot of pollution to the environment. The figures show that more than 500 million cigarettes are thrown every day only in the United States. This amount could fill more than 127 school buses. If you feel you can not live without cigarettes, buy those that can be reused as glass or stainless steel cigarettes. 5. Eat ice cream in cone and not in glass Avoid eating ice cream in glasses made of polystyrene. Also, avoid using plastic spoons. Following this path, buy molds and sticks to make stainless steel pallets instead of plastic. 6. Make your own yogurt. Making yogurt is quite easy. You can buy a machine to do it or mix a quarter of milk of any kind, a spoonful of sugar, a pinch of salt and two tablespoons of probiotics. This is much better than buying yogurt at the supermarket. 7. Have a fertilizer container When you return all the organic waste you will be able to reduce considerably the amount of garbage you take out each week. By effectively separating this organic waste from regular garbage the second will be drier. This limits the need for heavy plastic bags. You will also have rich soil to cultivate or fertilize your bushes. 8. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap Bar soap is cheap, many times you can get it without packaging and it is as effective as liquid soap. All this makes it the perfect choice to reduce your use of plastic. 9. Buy toilet paper that is not wrapped in plastic In stores that sell office supplies you can get toilet paper that is not packaged in plastic but in cardboard boxes. 10. Do not use non-stick products Although it is a difficult habit to remove, non-stick items release chemicals that are toxic to health. Instead of using Teflon and other non-stick elements, use objects made of cast iron, stainless steel or copper. Ecoportal.net The Gan Epoca http://web.lagranepoca.com/ If you find this note interesting, do not hesitate to share it. Your contacts will be grateful. Here you can also subscribe to our weekly and FREE electronic publication To subscribe to our Weekly News Publication, place your e-mail below These articles may also interest you
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