World Environment Day 2018 : Here’s how to reduce the use of plastic

World Environment Day 2018 : Here’s how to reduce the use of plastic

World Environment Day is the United Nations’ (UN) most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries. World Environment Day is the “people’s day” for doing something to take care of the Earth.

Here are some ways to reduce the use of plastic :

1. Straws Suck

The best estimate currently available is that Americans use about 500 million plastic straws each day. Help your kids swap out the disposable straws by allowing them to choose a colorful, reusable straw. Keep it handy for restaurant visits or snack stops.

2. Keep It in a Cone

At the ice-cream shop, always choose a cone over a cup with a plastic spoon. (Waffle versus cake is still your call.) Take it further by helping your kids talk to the shop manager about switching to compostable utensils—your kids just might be cute enough to change someone’s mind.

3. A Better Birthday Bag

As birthdays approach, rethink the goodie bags. A few days after the party, those plastic yo-yos and other throwaway toys start to look like junk. Work with your kids to choose Earth-friendly, non-plastic giveaways like homemade treats or coupons to a local bakery.

4. That’s a Wrap

Items shipped to your home often come wrapped in plastic packaging, and toys bought at the store are covered in it. When your kids want something, help them brainstorm ways to avoid the excess plastic. Some things can be bought secondhand, others can be shared or borrowed, and some stuff doesn’t need to be purchased at all.

Also Read : World Environment Day 2018: How is India celebrating it TODAY?

5. A Leaner Lunch

The average 8- to 12-year-old kid throws away about 67 pounds of lunch trash every year. Instead of packing your kids’ sandwiches in plastic bags, reach for reusable wrappers made of cloth or beeswax. Kids can even make and decorate their own lunch bags from old jeans. Then toss an apple or a banana in the bag instead of a plastic-wrapped snack.

6. Don’t Float Away

If you’re planning a trip to the beach, make sure those plastic pails, beach balls, and inflatable flamingoes don’t float out to sea. Put your kids in charge of tracking these items and making sure the toys are back in the car at the end of the day.

7. Recycle Right

Not all plastics are recyclable, but some items—like beverage bottles and plant pots—are. Learn what your local recycling plant is able to accept, then make it a priority to separate your waste at home. You can even encourage your kids to push for plastic recycling in their classroom.

8. Ban the Bottle

Let each of your kids select a reusable water bottle, then give them the responsibility of hanging onto it. Look for other bottles in your home that can be nixed. For instance, you can let each child choose their own type of bar soap instead of purchasing a plastic bottle of liquid soap to share.

9. Buy in Bulk

Purchase items like popcorn kernels, cereal, and pasta in bulk to cut down on packaging waste (ideally with your own containers), then pull out your tote bag to take it all home. Work with your kids to choose and then decorate reusable containers for each of these items and have them sort the food into their respective containers.

10. Trash Troopers

If you find yourself with a free Saturday, grab the kids and join a community cleanup. You’ll not just be beautifying the neighborhood—you might help change laws. Groups that host the cleanups sometimes weigh the waste, which helps leaders make decisions about laws that encourage people to throw away less trash. No cleanups scheduled? Your kids can plan their own.