If you’re reading our blog, you’re on a journey to rid your home of excess stuff and clear the clutter. Living with less stuff can lead us to live more enjoyable lives. We think more about what really matters, how we spend our money, and what we keep. 

To truly cut down the clutter in your life and in your home, you want to look at more than just a closet. Take a look around you now. What is in your home that is plastic and designed for just one use? Do you see bags, water bottles, food packaging, shampoo bottles, bubble wrap, or cosmetic packaging? These are just a few examples of what is known as single-use plastics. They are made of plastic and designed to be used just once. Some of these items are recyclable, and some are not.

Why Reducing Single-Use Plastics Is Important

Remember the saying Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? Ideally, this is the order we would use when considering our consumption because:

• Not everything is recyclable. Plastics with food contamination, for example, are difficult to recycle. Some items like plastic forks, spoons, or plastic wrap are too small to be recycled. 

• Not all recycling programs accept the same materials. The recycling center where you live might not accept all types of plastic. 

• Items made from recycled plastic can be of lower quality, so they have shorter lifespans.

Reducing consumption in the first place benefits the environment more than simple recycling. Often the process of decluttering and organizing your home can help make reducing consumption in all areas of your life easier. You’re more careful about what you buy when you want to keep your home organized.

6 Tips If You’re New To Reducing Single-Use Plastics

It can feel overwhelming when you start to realize how many things in your home are single-use plastics. It’s the same feeling when beginning to declutter. There is so much that it’s difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’re giving you some easy advice for starting out. (We’re neighbors here in Atlanta and on this planet, so we’re in this together.)

1. Use a refillable water bottle. Instead of buying multiple individual plastic bottles of water, you can use a refillable water bottle made from stainless steel or aluminum. Plus, reusable water bottles can show off your personality more. Get a fun water bottle in your signature color, or add motivational stickers to keep you inspired while you stay hydrated all day long.

2. Use canvas shopping bags. Bring your own canvas or other type of reusable tote bags when you go shopping. Anytime you choose your own reusable bags over plastic bags is a win.

3. Choose reusable straws and cutlery. You can choose a reusable straw, fork, or spoon of your own over plastic options from a take-out place.

4. Opt for shampoo bars instead of bottles. Instead of buying shampoo in plastic bottles, you can buy shampoo bars. When they run out, there is no plastic bottle left behind.

5. Switch to laundry detergent sheets. Buy eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets instead of big plastic bottles of liquid detergent. Laundry sheets are easy to use because there is no measuring, and they dissolve into the wash, where they clean your clothes, sheets, and towels.

6. Select reusable zipper bags instead of disposable bags. All of those plastic disposable zipper bags used for sandwiches, snacks, and more create a lot of plastic waste. Reusable zipper bags might cost more upfront, but you end up saving money after using them several times.

Here in Atlanta, you can visit Atlo to learn more about low-waste and no-waste options for soaps, shampoos, detergents, and more. This little powerhouse of a store has a refill bar, so you can bring your containers and fill them with products like hand soaps, detergents, and other types of soaps or cleaning products. They are a great resource for other eco-swaps too.

5 Advanced Tips For Ditching Those Plastics

If you’ve already taken some of the steps above, that’s wonderful! Every time you choose a reusable option over a single-use plastic, you’re helping the environment. Here are a few tips and ideas for those of you who want to try to eliminate as much plastic waste as possible.

1. Choose reusable produce bags. Those thin plastic bags in grocery produce departments contribute to a lot of waste, but you can bring your own reusable bags to the store when shopping for produce.

2. Opt for reusable food containers, and shop in the bulk food aisles. It takes a bit more planning ahead, but instead of buying food that is prepackaged in plastic, you can bring your containers to the store and shop in the bulk food aisle. You can scoop cereal into your own glass jar, for example. This one requires you to stop at stores that sell some food items in self-serve bulk bins.

3. Bring your own take-out containers. Take-out food is often packaged in plastic. If you go out to eat at a restaurant and know that the portions are large and you likely will have food you’d like to take home, you can bring your own reusable containers. If you order to-go meals, you can choose to order from restaurants that use eco-friendly containers. 

4. Choose a reusable coffee mug. The default when ordering coffee at most coffee shops these days is that it’s served in a disposable cup, and cold drinks are typically served in plastic. Instead, you can buy your coffee from a shop that lets you provide your coffee mug. Starbucks locations also allow customers to bring their own reusable cups.

5. Shop for food at local markets. Why local markets? Most food sold in typical grocery stores comes with plastic packaging. The more food you can buy at markets directly from the farmer, the less plastic packaging will get used and wasted. You can buy apples, broccoli, mushrooms, berries, cucumbers, carrots, and so much more - all without plastic.

These 11 specific steps listed above are just a few ways you can start to eliminate single-use plastics from your home and your life. Every time you can choose a more eco-friendly option, you’re helping your planet. That’s how we can all help fight climate change together, by making small changes every day, by choosing the more sustainable options whenever we can. 

If you are decluttering your home and have items that can’t be donated or recycled other places, check out Atlanta’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (known as CHaRM). They report that they recycle, repurpose, or re-engineer 96 percent of items brought to them.

If you want to declutter or simplify your home, we can help you also embrace eco-conscious living. Owning fewer things can create a lot of benefits for your life and the environment. Plus, we can help you repurpose what you no longer need to help other people in your community. Reach out today if you’d like to learn more about how to work with us or if you’re ready to book a consultation.