We have all used a single-use disposable item before, but have you ever stopped to think about how this product was made or what will happen to it after it’s been used?
This is your chance to refuse single-use disposable items
When we refuse to accept single-use disposable items, we are letting businesses and restaurants know what we the consumer want. This is how we stand up to a system that was created to produce more waste.
Choose to Reuse
Choose reusables in place of single-use disposables. For many everyday items, like napkins, tea towels, utensils, tote bags and to-go coffee cups, there are reusable options available. Reusing items is better for the environment as it helps conserve natural resources and reduce pollution. Start by incorporating reuse in your daily life. Try to commit to reusing one item in your life. You don’t have to be completely zero waste to make a positive impact on the environment. Once you start to feel like you’ve conquered one reusable swap, challenge yourself and add another one to make an even greater impact.
- Reusable coffee cups
- Even though paper coffee cups are accepted for recycling in Franklin County, reusable coffee cups are the preferred environmental choice. The perk of using a reusable cup is that it will likely keep your coffee warmer (or colder for iced coffee lovers) longer compared to the single-use counterpart.
- If you forgot your reusable cup or are looking to start using reusable cups at coffee shops, you’re in luck because over seven coffee shops in Columbus are now part of a reusable coffee cup program with the Central Ohio Reuse Coalition.
- Reusable to-go containers
- When you go out to eat and have leftovers, there is no need to ask for a to-go container when you can bring your own! Keep a small bag of reusable containers (all shapes and sizes) in your trunk, so you always have them ready to go when you go out to eat.
- Also, consider starting to stockpile the black takeout food containers with clear tops as your reusable containers. Although black takeout food containers are not accepted for recycling, they are perfect for reusing.
- Reusable water bottles
- Stanley tumblers aren’t just fun to look at, but they are also practical to help cut down on waste. Reusable bottles come in all styles and price points, so find the one that you like best and commit to using that one bottle for the next five to ten years. There is no need to stockpile your cabinet with options, as just one or two should suffice. Keep one in your car and take the other one to work, travel or on the road. Gas stations often have a water dispenser in the fountain soda dispenser, and you can fill it up for free. Your wallet will also thank you for not buying bottled water at every stop.
- Reusable tote bags
- Keep your reusable tote bags in your trunk for shopping. Reusable bags can be used at more places than just grocery stores; department stores for toys and clothes are great options for swapping paper or plastic bags for your reusable tote bag.
- Reusable utensils
- Find yourself a to-go utensil kit or a spork that can be stored away in your backpack, purse or desk at work. You can easily source inexpensive utensils secondhand from a thrift store.
- When ordering food from a food truck or carryout, tell them that you don’t need the utensils. Especially if you’re taking the food home anyway, there is no need to have additional utensils that will end up in the trash.
Once you start to incorporate some of these reuse strategies into your daily life, you’ll be pleased to learn how easy it is and the impact it can have to help reduce materials sent to the local landfill.
