25 Changes You Can Make at Home to Reduce Your Use of Plastic

Not only are the plastic utensils you get with a to-go meal flimsy, but they're also damaging to the environment. Instead, invest in a set of reusable utensils to take with you when packing a home-cooked meal or after purchasing one to-go from a restaurant.

Buying things in bulk — like cereal and pasta that you can put into reusable containers — will help you cut back on the extra and unnecessary packaging of multiple individual items.

Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, so the less you chew, the better for the environment. There are, however, more environmentally-friendly options, like this Simply Natural Gum, which uses a biodegradable tree-sap base instead.

Making your own freshly-squeezed juice from fruits and vegetables will help you avoid buying it in plastic containers. Not only will you cut back on plastic this way, but you'll also know exactly what goes into your juice, which makes it healthier.

Don't pack a sandwich or snacks in a single-use plastic bag. These silicone baggies are a great plastic-free alternative for taking your meals and snacks on the go with you without hurting the environment.

Stop reaching for the plastic bags stationed in the produce aisle while grocery shopping. Available in a multitude of sizes for all your produce needs, these mesh drawstring bags allow you to select your fruits and veggies without harming the environment.

Don't allow your shower to become a plastic hair-care bottle graveyard. Instead, consider purchasing a zero-waste shampoo. Usually found in bar form, these shampoos come in plastic-free packaging and can be just as effective at getting your hair clean as a traditional shampoo.

Done are the days of using a toilet bowl cleaner with plastic packaging and a plastic toilet brush to match. Purchase a zero-waste toilet bowl cleaner or make it yourself at home and invest in a bamboo toilet brush to reduce the amount of plastic waste that comes with keeping your bathroom clean.

If your pantry is bursting at the seams with plastic-packed items, switch to storing your items in air-tight glass containers and shopping at plastic-free/package-free stores where you can buy grains, legumes, spices, and more to refill your stock. This method keeps your ingredients fresher longer and avoids plastic pollution.

Not only is it common to see q-tips packaged in plastic, but they are often made with a plastic stick to keep the two pieces of cotton together. Ditch the plastic cotton swab and purchase paper or bamboo cotton swabs instead.

Single-use plastic bags are not only annoying to carry in bulk when filled with groceries, but they're also wasteful and their small capacity often requires using many to bring your purchases home. Instead, invest in a plastic-free reusable bag that is made with cloth or recycled materials.

Ordering takeout is a great way to support local businesses, but the plastic containers can add up. Instead of throwing them away, hand wash them with soap and water or run them through the dishwasher to use again. Pro tip: if you meal prep, these containers are usually perfect to house all of your weekly lunches!

So many things can be repurposed. For example, instead of buying a vase for some new flowers, check around your house to see what else you can use (hint: any type of jar works great). Before you buy something new, ask yourself if you already have something that could work with a little DIY love — you'll be surprised just how versatile some things are!