by Wendy

We use plastic bags on a daily basis. But did you know approximately 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year and only 1 to 2% of them are being recycled. The plastic bags that don’t get recycled end up in landfills, littering oceans and causing widespread pollution. So what can we do cut down on our overall plastic consumption?

1- Cut down plastic bag usage by using reusable bags. I have these cute Sesame Street themed reusable bags from Envirosax. Envirosax creates great eco-friendly and inexpensive bags that can be reused over and over again. I think they’re light, washable, and fun to carry around since I using them to carry groceries, bring lunch to work. What I also love about them is they donate a percentage of its sales to charities and non-profit organizations dedicated to the preservation of the environment.

2- Stop using garbage bags and emptying your trash straight into the garbage bin. If you don’t like that option, you can try using recycled or biodegradable, compostable garbage bags. I use these Pridegreen Biodegradable Trash Bags I purchased on Amazon. These trash bags are made with green recyclable plastics and will completely break down and leave behind no harmful toxins.  And every 13 plastic bags saved equals enough petroleum to drive a car one mile.

3- Use reusable stainless steel or glass bottles for drinks instead of using plastic cups or bottles. This will help cut down the use of plastic water bottles at work, at home, and everywhere you go. Kleen Kanteen makes great steel water bottles that are durable, BPA-free and better for the environment. They come in all sizes that can be great for packing lunch for the kids or taking to work.

What are some other easy ways you can cut down your plastic usage?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.