10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

While soaking up the relaxing cadence of crashing waves on the beach, no one wants to think about how the ocean has basically become garbage soup. But here’s the buzz-killing reality: There are millions of tons of debris floating around in that water—and most of it is plastic.

This constant barrage (the equivalent of 136 billion milk jugs each year, a study published in the journal Science estimates) poses a serious danger to marine life. Animals can get tangled up in this trash or ingest it—either because they mistake it for food or because the plastic has been broken up into tiny particles (aka “microplastics”) floating through their habitats. 

Equally alarmingly, plastic pollution in the oceans is essentially irreversible. It takes hundreds of years (or longer) to fully degrade; all the while, those pieces of plastic are also leaching toxic chemicals. And we're not just talking about people dumping their garbage overboard. Around 80 percent of marine plastic pollution actually originates on land—either swept in from the coastline or carried to rivers from the streets during heavy rain via storm drains and sewer overflows.

Of course, plastic is pervasive throughout our ecosystems (and even our clouds), and our addiction to the stuff is a danger to terrestrial animals as well. And that’s to say nothing of the hazards the plastic crisis poses to our climate and our health too.

Given all these dangers, it's in our best interest to try to keep as much plastic as possible out of the waste stream in the first place. The good news? There are many small ways you can have a big impact.

1. Wean yourself off single-use plastics.

Half of all plastic produced is for throwaway items that are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids. Take note of how often you rely on single-use plastics and replace them with reusable versions. It only takes a few times of bringing your own totes to the store, garment bag to the dry cleaner, silverware to the office, or travel mug to the coffee shop before it becomes habit.

2. Stop buying bottled water.

Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash. Carry a reusable bottle in your bag, and you’ll save money and plastic—you may also be making the safer choice by sticking with tap water.

3. Boycott microbeads.

Those little plastic scrubbers found in so many beauty products—facial scrubs, toothpaste, body washes—might look harmless, but their tiny size allows them to slip through water-treatment plants. Unfortunately, they also look just like food to some marine animals. Opt for products with natural exfoliants, like oatmeal or salt, instead.

Approach cosmetics, in particular, with caution: When the Plastic Soup Foundation, a Dutch nonprofit, tested the 10 most popular brands from Europe’s four largest cosmetics manufacturers, they found that only 13 percent of nearly 8,000 products (ranging from mascara and lipsticks to foundations and deodorant) were free of microplastics. 

4. Cook more.

Not only is it healthier but making your own meals doesn’t involve takeout containers or doggy bags. For those times when you do order in or eat out, tell the establishment you don’t need any plastic cutlery or plastic carry-out bags. For some serious extra credit, bring your own food-storage containers to restaurants for leftovers. 

Another tip for the kitchen: Choose wooden cutting boards. A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that plastic cutting boards could be a significant source of microplastics in our diet. With proper care, wooden cutting boards are a safer alternative that can last you many years. 

5. Purchase items secondhand.

The shine of new toys, trinkets, and electronic gadgets wears off fast. Search the shelves of thrift stores, neighborhood garage sales, or online postings for items (plastic and otherwise) that are just as good when previously used. For things you rarely need, consider borrowing before you decide to buy new. Not only will you consume less plastic when you start making these efforts to reduce and reuse more in your life, you’ll save yourself a few bucks, too.

6. Recycle.

A recent report from the nonprofit Beyond Plastics found that the recycling rate for plastics in the United States in 2021 was down to about 6 percent. While we can’t recycle our way out of the plastics crisis, recycling is still important to reduce the footprint of our waste stream. To sort through what can and can’t go in the bin, check out the number on the bottom of your containers. Most beverage and liquid cleaner bottles will be #1 (PET), which is commonly accepted by most curbside recycling companies. Containers marked #2 (HDPE; typically heavier-duty bottles for milk, juice, and laundry detergent) are also commonly recyclable. Containers marked #5 (PP; plastic cutlery, yogurt and margarine tubs, ketchup bottles) also qualify in some areas. For the specifics on your locality, check out Earth911.org’s recycling directory.

But remember, reducing is still the better option.

7. Support a bag tax or ban.

Urge your elected officials to follow the lead of those in San Francisco, Chicago, and more than 500 other cities, counties, and states by introducing or supporting legislation that would make plastic bag use less desirable.

8. Buy in bulk and look for eco-friendly packaging.

Single-serving yogurts, tiny packages of nuts—consider the product-to-packaging ratio of items you tend to buy often and select the bigger container instead of buying several smaller ones over time. Look for opportunities to buy staples like rice and pasta from bulk containers and store them in jars at home. When you have the option, choose products in nonplastic packaging (e.g. go for the glass jar of honey, not the squeezable honey bear).

9. Choose clothing made from natural fibers.

An estimated 9 percent of the microplastics in the ocean are coming from synthetic fibers—the kind found in materials like nylon, acrylic, polyester, and fleece. They’re shed from the clothes we wear, and make their way from our laundry machines to wastewater plants, before spreading throughout the environment. When possible, choose clothing and textiles made of natural materials, like cotton and wool, instead. 

10. Put pressure on manufacturers.

Though we can make a difference through our own habits, corporations obviously have a much bigger footprint. If you believe a company could be smarter about its packaging and use less plastic, make your voice heard. Write a letter, tag them on social media, or hit them where it really hurts: Give your money to a more sustainable competitor.
 

This story was originally published on January 5, 2016, and has been updated with new information and links.

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