Opt for retail items that use less packaging. Do you really need a package of toilet paper with each roll individually wrapped in plastic?

Decline a straw with your drink at restaurants.

At gas station convenience stores, buy a fountain drink in a biodegradable paper cup instead of a plastic bottle of soda.

Use the backs of paper to jot down notes and other temporary information.

definitely office use of styrofoam cups and paper plates needs to bet cut down dramatically. also...recycle, please!!!

Use reusable canvas bags when you shop for groceries. If you forget them, carry them out. Find the recycling centers that will take all the harder to recycle plastics, like #5, then utilize them. Our family also reuses sandwich bags, washing in between uses.

At the grocery store, I *strongly* prefer to buy products not packaged in plastic. If I buy a product available only in plastic, I prefer the recyclable containers.

Offer leftover quart-size yogurt/cottage cheese containers on Freecycle or craigslist. Some crafters use them for storage (Nancy's Yogurt, for example, comes with space on the container to mark the purpose for which you're reusing the container!). Some animal shelters also will accept the containers so they can send animals home with some food.

Plastic cutlery can be taken home and washed and reused. I haven't had to pick up a new plastic fork or knife in months. There's also the biodegradable kind, but that's not what's typically offered commercially.

In our house, if it's plastic it gets reused. After that it goes to the recycle bin. It's our household law.

We switched to taking reusable shopping bags to the grocery store about 2 years ago. I like that we're not wasting plastic, sure, but I'm slightly selfishly motivated too - I prefer having 3 or 4 sacks (that'll stand on their own) to carry neatly into the house and unload rather than a dozen or more shapeless plastic sacks.

And we've switched to reusable thermal cups for our morning brew.

We do still buy bottled water, but we sanitize & reuse those plastic water bottles several times before they make their way into the plastics recycling bin in the garage. And we're trying to cut back on this too since we've installed an under-sink RO unit.

Use canvas grocery bags instead of plastic, I re-use zip lock bags by washing them and letting them dry and using as few as possible. I still drink too much from plastic bottles, but have been researching stainless steel containers to see which is the best one. This one sounds outstanding with it's own filtration inside of it. What an excellent idea.

An interesting tip someone told me was to go back to using bar soap instead of buying body wash in plastic bottles. There's a little bit of paper use from the bar wrapping, but the trash created from the packaging of bar soap is far less than the plastic bottles.

What great comments and ideas. I bring my own bags to the grocery store too. I have a ton of them. I have one hanging in my kitchen that I put the ones I used in and then when the one in the car is almost empty i switch them.
I had a lot of the reusable plastic water bottles to take camping, hiking, and kayaking. Now I am told they aren't safe. Can't really afford to replace all of them. I am also told that you should not refill the plastic water bottles you buy in the store as chemicals leech out of them. The same with microwaving in plastic. This has helped to make people more creative i think. Bring plates and bowls and mugs from home. I even bring my own silverware so i do not have to buy plastic. Most work situations have a kitchen or at least a sink. This way you can bring in stuff in reusable plastic but heat with ceramic.
I try to be aware when I am grocery shopping to buy things that are not shrinked wrapped. That can be challenging. Summertime is a lot easier with farmers markets, etc... I find it a little more challenging in the winter.

I always have reuseable bags tucked into my purse. Not only for groceries; but dept stores, drugstores, bookstores, etc. etc. I have a ceramic coffee and a reuseable water bottle in the office. And we recycle everything we can at home. I hope we're making progress when I see that the recycling is a bigger pile than the trash each week.

By now, many of the ideas, I could likst here - using totes at the stores, washing "baggies" and reusing them, washing plastic whatever for a second use... My main thought when it comes to plastic whatever is not to bring it into the house in the first place. We don't eat at fastfood places so we don't have that. I buy bulk using bags I have made from scraps of material, don't buy stuff in plastic if I can help it at all (choosing perhaps glass packaging when it is a bit more expensive - I get a usable glass jar out of it!). I am concious to take my store totes into all stores - fabric, Target, etc and get them to use them.

Anytime you can't avoid using plastic, at least recycle. Simply be responsible. That's all it takes. Think about what we are doing and the consequenses and act accordingly.

We have lots of hand crocheted grocery bags and although it's still a learning process to take them for quick trips to the store, we're doing good on the big trips and recycling the ones we do end up with.

Our water bottles, when we do buy them get used over and over and over again with a good wash between them. We buy our water in 5 gallon jugs and have crockery dispenser.

If you forget your canvas shopping bags - or have too much to fit in them, opt for paper instead of plastic. The paper bags can hold more, but also can be re-used as holders for recycled household paper.

Every piece of paper and cardboard in our house gets recycled and we have a bin (with a paper bag in it) in our kitchen. This dramatically cuts down on trash.

Forgo bags entirely when you can. I'm constantly amazed when clerks will put just a single small purchase in a plastic bag. I'd rather just put it in my purse.

I like to use reuseable canvas bags and tote bags for grocery shopping as well as for carrying things while doing errands. Then if I do have to use a store shopping bag, I make sure to either reuse the bag as a trashbag or recycle it at my city's recycling center.

we use the reusable grocery bags from grocery stores when we shop. and we ask friends for their plastic bags (rather than throwing them away) from stores to reuse when walking the dog as pick-up bags.

I make a lot of my own toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, face wash), so that has cut my plastic use down by quite a lot. I keep most of what I make in glass jars that I would have recycled were they not so darn useful. I just run them through the dishwasher and they're good as new.

I have a small dog with small poop - one "deposit" from her fills one tiny corner of a poop bag. I start with one bag in the morning and just twist the bag between uses. She eats high quality food so smell is not a problem and this longer-lasting method more than makes up for the added expense of biodegradable bags.

We save the glass jars from the products we buy and use them to store leftovers. You can reheat in them and in a pinch eat directly from them. They don't degrade and can be used indefinitely. I love them.

We've also started taking the plastic containers that cat litter comes in and use them for drip irrigation on our plants. I've cut holes in them and use them for rags and to store what few plastic bags we have. They are GREAT storage containers after they are thoroughly rinsed. I've cut one and drilled holes in the top to hole my screwdrivers and sockets in my workshop.

When going to the store, bring your own bags. Carry around your own metal utensils to avoid having to use single-use forks and knives, and when picking up lunch, I tell them I don't need a bag if I can just carry it- little things like that add up very quickly.

I have a friend who is using old plastic bottles to make bird feeders. Not exactly eliminating use of plastic bottles, but it is reuse. And don't need to buy a plastic bird feeder.

I use the gallon jugs from milk and fill them with the cold water from my hot water tap until the water gets hot. I water my plants with the water and hand wash my clothes in a big cooler , that i keep in my bath tub. This saves water and plastic. I pick up other people's plastic bottles cans and glass bottles) on the street and beach and give them to my neighbor who donates the money to charity. I save bubble wrap from anywhere and reuse it to repack items. I don't use plast throwaway cups- ever. If you can't stand to reuse a cup when brushing teeth -use paper ones or wash after each use. You could also put names on each cup so they wouldn't have to share toothbrushing rinse cups.

We reuse any plastics at least once and more if safe, and recycle the plastics that we can. I always have my cloth bags with me for shopping.

I have my local espresso shop put my iced coffee's in my Nalgene instead of using a plastic cup. They don't mind since it has markings on the side so they know they're not giving me more or less than I ordered.

*Recycle all plastic goods through waste management.
*Buy the plastic ziplock containers that can be reused over and over
*Do not buy bottled water, instead use your own (this way you will probably drink more water too if you always have one with you
*reuse shopping bags for trash bags, doggie droppings, yard work, and if you dont use them, take them to any wal mart and recycle them for the next people.

Try to avoid using plastic bags. Of course I am generally using plastic containers instead, but I am slowly switching to glass as the plastics wear out. Try to use/buy things in containers that can be reused. Don't eat out at much at places that serve your food with plastic throwaway silverware.

We walk to the farmer's market, grocery store, and food co-op and bring our own canvas bags. And since we wash our produce when we get home anyway, no need to wrap vegetables in the plastic provided for the walk home.

What's the carbon footprint for creating a stainless steel bottle with filter? How does that compare to a plastic bottle? Or a glass bottle? Or how about just drinking from a cup or glass several times a day and not carrying water around all the time? Most of the world, most of the time, manage life without a continuous supply of sipping water.

I bought blueberries at the farmers market yesterday packed in little plastic containers. After I prepped the green beans I bought also, I put them in the leftover containers (left over from freezing 1/2 of the blueberries) instead of using plastic food storage bags. Air will circulate around them in the hydrator, keeping them fresh.

I try to buy products with minimal packaging.
aorlflood at comcast dot net
Loretta

I bring reusable bags to the grocery store and I try to buy products without excessive packaging.

I reuse plastic containers when I can.

This is the second go round for my generation. We were the original recyclers because we had to be. I was raised by two depression era parents that reused or recycled everything. We made banks by turning a gallon vinegar jug on its side adding 4 feet and decorating it to look like a pig with old felt scraps. and cutting a slit at the top. They last forever and work well as a cheap craft project for all age levels.

Some of the things I do:
1. Bring your own grocery bags.
2. Buy in bulk (i.e. get the big yogurt tub and spoon it out into individual tupperwares)
3. Ditch pop and bottled water -- bring a reusable water bottle for car trips.
4. buy a shampoo bar instead of in a bottle (the shampoo bar surprisingly lathers much better, and I don't need conditioner)
5. My work doesn't have recycling, so anything plastic I bring in my lunch (like an applesauce cup or something) goes back home with me so I can recycle it.

Bring own coffee cup to coffee shop/brew own coffee.
Make your own trail mix and divvy up into reusable bags for single servings.
I keep any plastic/glass bottle, clean it and use it again to make my own eco-cleaner from vinegar/water/essential oils/ or castille soap.

I'm good about remembering to bring bags for grocery shopping, but I realized that it was the smaller, less planned shopping where I was collecting bags or buying bottled water. Now in my work bag I always pack a water bottle and one of those shopping bags that folds into a little pouch. It's really cut down on the plastic I accumulate.

For years our family has avoided bottled water/soda and either boiled tap water instead (or used brita)/bought canned soda.
In my mum's frugality, she washes and reuses ziploc type bags all the time, they are pretty durable.
Plastic bags, when we have them, are reused to line garbage or used to store different items such as separating different clothes/miscellaneous types in closets/pantries.
Buying things with as little packaging as possible, or packaging that breaks down more easily in landfills, or recyclable.

Rather than use pots from the store to start seeds, I use my paper pot maker (a wooden form) to make pots from newspaper. Our local paper gives away it's extra papers on Sunday and I usually pick up a trunk full each season for pot making and mulch. I also have what must be the largest collection of reusable shopping bags in my county. I keep them in the trunk of my car and put them back after each trip so I am never without one for a quick market stop. Finally, If I have to buy things in plastic containers, I only buy those marked with a 1 or 2. Those plastic containers marked 5 and 7 are not recycled by the majority of recycling centers (a big deception by companies trying to appear eco-friendly).

To reduce plastic use, reuse plastic bags as trash bags or as lunchbags. Buy items with little packaging or recycled paper packaging, avoid individually packaged items. Use a reusable bottle and filtered tap water instead of buying bottled water.

I keep and reuse bread bags and produce bags for wrapping up food and food storage. I also reuse water bottles by refilling them with filtered tap water.

In addition to the popular was to reduce plastic, I try to limit consumption of intentionally-shortlived disposal plastic items for babies. Probably the biggest one so far is disposable diapers.

This is not only for reasons of reducing pollution, but also my daughter's potential consumption of chemicals through exposure. I fear BPA may only be the tip of the iceberg. I also try to avoid purchasing plastic playthings for her, opting for wood or paper. Besides, she destroys or gets bored of new toys faster and faster!

I recycle any cans, bottles and plastic containers that I have to use. I have my own bag that I use when I'm out buying groceries.

I rarely use a mineral water bottle and even when I do, I fill it up again and reuse it for myself

Buy things in bulk not individually wrapped items. Bring your own grocery bag and not use the wimpy plastic bags. Any plastic you do get: recycle, recycle, recycle.

I don't buy water bottles period. I have some nice jugs in my fridge and the tap water does just fine. I save a lot of money.

If there are any other plastics of which I can reuse such as containers I'll put them to work (i.e. leftovers, scooping up dogfood etc).

By and large, if I have products that our recycling guys don't yet recycle I will try and find a place for them. And really, I just try to stay away from excess packaging in the first place.

It's not that hard and I save money in the process by not using as much, reusing what I can and not throwing away as much trash (reduce, reuse, recycle).

We recycle all plastic and have all but stopped using plastic wrap (reusable tupperware to store leftovers works so much better!).

A big thing I used to do when I was working was bring my lunch to work in a reusable bento box. It was cute, gave me perfectly sized portions of food (always good to keep an eye on overconsumption), and didn't require any plastic waste. The food was made in bulk and placed in storage containers in the fridge. I also brought a travel mug for making tea in the breakroom - thereby saving me from using the plastic and styrofoam disposable cups provided.

Recycle everything you possibly can! If your community doesn't allow you to recycle #5 plastics (like yogurt containers come in) you can mail them in to be recycled -- it's worth the postage cost IMO. You can mail them to Preserve Products to be recycled into a bunch of neat things -- http://www.preserveproducts.com/gimme5/

My husband and I:

* Use reusable bags and try to avoid produce bags.
* Make our own tea using loose leaf tea bought in bulk (and plan to start making lemonade soon, too)
* Use stainless steel water bottles
* Go the farmers' market weekly
* Try to buy food with the least packaging
* Don't buy or use a lot of disposable stuff. I use an electric razor & reusable fem. products. We both use rechargeable batteries and real dishes.
* Don't use fabric softener or jet dry or a lot of other products we don't really need (I wear some makeup, but am other-wise low maintenance in the bathroom. I don't even use conditioner or moisturizer.)
* I use tooth powder and a salt block deodorant because they last a lot longer.
* We use Pyrex bowls and glass jars instead of storing food in plastic most of the time, and do reuse zip top bags often when we do use them.
* We compost, recycle, and just throw out less stuff, so we need fewer garbage bags.

And most importantly...

* We just generally buy less stuff.

We keep reuseable bags in the cars for last-minute grocery trips. It's a bonus that some stores give you a 5-cent credit for bringing in your own bags and Trader Joe's enters you into a raffle.

I've also started putting snacks into containers instead of using plastic baggies for everything.

buy the toothbrushes that just switch out the head, so you buy replacement heads instead of whole new toothbrushes. also buy the dental floss that comes in a cardboard instead of of a plastic container, which also holds more so that you don't have to buy as often, and can recycle the container.

Ok, not used deodorant- but have you ever noticed that as you apply stick deodorant, there always seems to be quite a bit left in the container that you can't apply because of the edge of the container? There is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce of extra deodrant in there that is used to 'anchor' the stick to the container.

Save your used deodorant containers, and when you have 5 or 6 of them, take them to your microwave. On 'Low', it only takes about 30 seconds to soften it enough to pour into a half empty deodorant product. Watch it carefully, then pour as soon as it's soft enough.

Depending on the brand you use, it's like getting one free stick deodorant for every 5 or so purchases. This saves plastic because you will be purchasing less deodorant.

When you're done, don't forget to carry them into your kitchen recycler!

i bring my own reusable bags everywhere - not just to the grocery store, but to any shopping trip so i won't have to use plastic bags. Also, we reuse our plastic bottles for water from the tap for several months - we're lucky enough that our tap water in Portland is delicious and we don't have to worry about bottled water.

One can always strive to buy in bulk to reduce the waste of useless packaging, and reuse the containers too.

I switched from buying pre-made soda a few months ago and got a Sodastream. It came with two heavy-duty plastic bottles - the last two plastic soda bottles I'll ever need. Now I just fill one with water, pump it up with carbonation, and add whatever flavor (usually Torani syrup from a GLASS bottle, which I use for other things when empty) I want - hooray, soda without the plastic/aluminum glut!

We've been trying to reduce our plastic use and it's been quite a challenge so far! One big thing for us as newbies has been finding juice and sauces packaged in glass at the supermarket. The glass bottles are really handy to have around once, they're empty, for storing syrups and mixes, which means we buy fewer tupperware containers!

Being aware is a great first step...once I started looking I found so many ways.. bring in my reusable coffee cup & water bottle, no more disposable water bottles at my house, swich from soda to ice tea which we make ourselves...

After having kids I realized just how much we waste and what I can do to reduce the waste. I bought them reusable water bottle (which they loved) that they can take everywhere instead of buying individual plastic water bottles. I recycle as much as I can from the smallest thing like a paper clip to the largest furniture (giving it away to a needy oerson or family). All plastic bags that come into my house are recycled. Pretty much anything that can be recycled is. Buying in bulk helps aot too.

We have reduced our plastic usage in several ways. First, on the occasions we have to buy bottled water (airplane travel, etc.), we keep the bottle and refill it ourselves whenever needed. This means we almost never buy any bottled water. They also work great for travel since you can freeze the water (don't fill them completely!) and use it in the cooler. Once it has thawed, you have ice cold water to drink.

Second, we use our own non-disposable bags for shopping whenever possible. When we get plastic bags, we use them for our waste baskets.

Opt for companies like Melaleuca that use higher concentrations in their cleaning products (liquid detergent, antibacterial spray, etc) and provide re-usable bottles. You can get the same amount of detergent in one bottle from them that you can in something like 20 bottles of stuff you'd get in the grocery store.

You can save 19 bottles from being tossed and save money! :-) Also, as an added benefit, look for products that are all natural so they don't hurt the environment (or you and your family) when you use them.

The plastic bags from stores seem to add up even with use of reusable bags. My school has a garden and the plastic bags are reused as veggie and fruit take homes. Also they are used by teachers as emergency backpacks. Each of these uses can be promoted to see how many times a bag can be reused keeping them in circulation and teaching a lesson in ecology.

I used to ask for plastic bags at grocery stores only because I have a dog, and I used them to pick up his waste. Now I've switched to biodegradable poop bags, so I bring my own canvas bags to the store.

Oh, and I use the filter built into the water dispenser in my refrigerator instead of buying bottled water.

Around my house, we use glass jars from groceries we buy in place of plastic containers for food storage - both in the pantry and for leftovers.

You can still get ketchup in glass bottles at many restaurant suppliers.

I believe everyone has mentioned most of my ideas. I use reusable grocery bags. If I get a plastic bag I use it as a trash liner.

I reuse plastic bags and any plastic containers I can't avoid.

I try to buy as much in glass or metal. Rather than buying new salad dressing I reuse a glass bottle and buy the packets to make my own.

My favorite tips aren't all about plastic, but alot of them are:
1. Reusable shopping bags! Keep some in your car for stops on the way home from work.
2. Metal water bottles! I am completely in love with my Sigg, and I'm lucky enough to live in Seattle where the tap water tastes delicious.
3. When you're getting takeout, request a minimum of packaging. For instance, you can carry a sub and a bag of chips without a plastic bag. Also, minimize the amount of takeout you eat, period.
4. Reuse whenever possible. I love to buy yogurt in large tubs - you can reuse those tubs pretty much indefinitely and then recycle them. Let your kids paint or decoupage them and use them to store their toys, special things, etc. Also, old t-shirts make excellent dust rags (as do cloth diapers).
5. When the water in the dog's dish needs replacing, use the old water on houseplants.
6. Compost, or, if you're not a gardener, take advantage of food waste composting programs in your area. Seattleites can now place pretty much all food scraps, along with paper towels, paper plates, etc, in our yard waste bins and the city comes around and picks it up for compost.
7. Encourage businesses you frequent to use biodegradable containers whenever possible. Encourage your city/county council to mandate this. Then compost them!

I can't count the number of 20 oz bottles I go through in a month. My wife and I are looking to lose the weight, so we're better off skipping the soda and drinking water from the filtered tap.

Aside from the typical stuff (using canvas bags, recycling, stainless water bottles, etc.), I was very happy this year with my purchase of reusable sandwich wraps from a vendor on Etsy.com. They are lined, waterproof, material wraps that we use in our lunch boxes, avoiding plastic baggies. They are in fun colors and patterns, too.

Also for our lunches, we use a divided container to make our own "lunchables" that are healthier, cheaper, and cut down on waste.

And no more body washes in plastic bottles. We use bar soaps, just like the good ol' days. :) I am trying to find bar shampoo and conditioner, too, that will work on my hair.

Great thread!

In my house we use a water filter pitcher and then fill a reusable water bottle whenever we go out and need to bring water. We also have a large recycling program in our town. So all of our plastic, tin cans, and cardboard gets picked up every week. I just hate that they can't take large pieces of card board. It takes me forever to cut up the card board from various things like when we get a new appliance or the kids get a new large toy. I wish manufacturers would give up on all this stupid excess packaging.

sorry that previous one was mine =d i forgot to fill out the top form

I recently learned how to make the cutest, simplest tote bags with really strong straps. They easily carry a bag of groceries. I'm just now getting in my grocery store groove with them. However, I've found that I use much less plastic when I eat healthier. Produce doesn't generate nearly as much waste as bags of Cheetos do...

We reuse the grocery bags we get from supermarkets and use reusable bags whenever we remember to bring them with us...

We also avoid using disposable tableware.

We use tupperware to bring sandwiches to work instead of plastic bags.

use cloth diapers! For one child, cloth diapers keeps 1 metric ton of plastic and chemicals out of our landfills - and they are cheaper and easier!!!

I have a Brita water pitcher in my fridge instead of buying bottled water. I also take my own reusable totes to the grocery store instead of getting bags.

Use mason jars instead of the use and toss lunch containers. They are inexpensive at yard sales (reuse), easy to clean no matter what was inside, no chemical to leach into the food and they are recyclable if something does happen to them.

We've made a number of changes in my household to reduce our plastic usage:

Instead of disposable feminine hygiene products, I use a DivaCup and cloth "napkins."

When our kids were in diapers (the youngest gave up diapers more than five years ago :), we used cloth diapers.

We use "shampoo bars" that come wrapped in paper, rather than plastic bottles.

We buy milk in glass containers from local farmers.

We grow our own vegetables to reduce the amount of plastic produce baggies and/or buy veggies from the Farmer's Market.

We bring cloth bags to the grocery stores, and if we're doing other shopping and don't have a cloth bag, we don't take a bag.

We make our own dishwasher detergent using Borax and Arm&Hammer Washing powder.

We make our own deodorant with baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil and essential herb oils.

We reuse what containers we can reuse, and we recycle all of the plastic containers that can be recycled.

Mostly, though, we're just careful about not making too many purchases, and more than any of the other changes, reducing our purchases has significantly reduced the amount of plastic packaging that comes into our house - and it's saved us a lot of money, too ;).

I try to buy fresh food with no plastic packaging. If I can't do that, I try to pick the item with the least packaging.

Buy in bulk (so there is less packaging per portion) and freeze in reusable containers.

Look for reduced packaging and containers that can be easily recycled or reused.

Use reusable grocery bags.

Craft with disposable containers. Cut butterflies from plastic bottles of various colors to create a mobile, for example. Cleaned containers make excellent summer craft projects for kids.

Reuse disposable containers. Water bottles can be washed and reused numerous times, for example. Containers that dispense cleaning wipes can be used to store and feed yarn or can be used with home-made wipes.

Use washable containers instead of baggies for lunches. Cheapo containers like the Glad and Ziplock ones are an excellent investment.

Purchase lunch meats that come in reusable containers. I wish more food came in reusable containers!

Reuseable containers. For lunches, storage and 1001 other uses around the house and yard.

Bring your own canvas bag when checking out for stores, and decline a bag if you're only purchasing one or two items.

When making a choice between similar products, always opt for the less packaging option. To be even more effective, send a note to the other product's manufacturer to let them know that you're a consumer who cares and who makes informed choices.

the obvious answer is bring your own shopping bags and choose paper bags. I also try to shy away from individual bottles of anything I drink, and if I do have to buy a pack of something I choose cans so that they can be recycled. Take care of the only Earth people.

Biodegradable water bottles

I learned this idea from PlasticLess.com. It is easy and something that I would be able to do. Refill your empty Windex bottles with homemade glass cleaner (made from equal parts tap water and vinegar sold in glass bottles). The idea of not purchasing more plastic and using what I have is appealing to me. Thank you.

Refill mechanical pencils instead of buying new ones.

My husband and I use lidded pyrex glass containers for our leftovers and lunches. While they might be heavier than plastic containers, they wash more cleanly, never stain, and are sturdy and presentable.

We only have one trash can with a liner in the house and food scraps or messy trash goes in there. All other rooms are only paper type trash.
We reuse bread bags to clean up dog poop. No need to buy a second bag type. We've also found storing them in an empty tissue container is a breeze.
On the rare occasion I buy a personal sized drink I get a glass bottle. Then I wash and reuse that bottle for water. I have several glass water bottles in the fridge at any time so I can grab one as I head out. Saves plastic and money.
We reuse plastic containers like butter bowls to pack up leftovers for family to take with them from large meals.

I used to eat a yogurt every morning. I have start making my own yogurt and packing it in a glass pyrex bowl. That works great for me and greatly reduces my plastic usage.

Our family does what we can. pack lunches, reuseable bags, cloth diapering, tupperware etc.

I'm sure it's up there about 100 times already but carrying my own little canvas bags to the grocery store and such. I've heard that the plastic bags we use every day are super hard to process, recycle, etc. I only use bags for produce if I'm buying a bunch of small things I need to group together, like peas. I get most of my produce from a CSA, though, which doesn't use any plastic and a heck of a lot less gas.

I do the canvas bag thing, too, when going to the grocery store. We live on the third floor, so we also have some of those big blue Ikea bags and use them to bag our canvas bags to haul everything up at once. It's nearly impossible to do that without squishing everything if you use plastic bags.

We also installed a faucet Britta filter in our kitchen. Takes care of the nasty chemical taste in our city water, and makes a lot less trash to have to haul back down those three flights of stairs, too.

Ways to reduce waste;

1. reuse plastic bottles as long as you can, then recycle (which can be recycled)

2. we use stainless steel or glass container whenever possible.

3. reduce, reuse and recycle.

P

Let's see, already do a lot of the above, but winning this contest would greatly reduce the water I buy in plastic bottles.
If I don't win, will definitely buy one.

If there is a choice, I will always choose products in glass over plastic. I can reuse the glass containers, and recycle them when I don't have a use for them.

take your mug with you when you go to buy coffee at the local java hut of choice. you can also reuse the paper sleeves that they give you with the paper cup.

if you do recieve a plastic bag, you can use them to stuff pillows for the couch. any decorative pillow that your head wont rest on. the cruch noise will keep you awake. you can also stuff a bean bag chair for the kids in college!

I quit buying things like little fruit cups and pudding cups. I bought some little containers that are washable and fill those ups from a larger container that is recyclable. It saves money and less waste.

We wash and re-use freezer/sandwich bags in our household

I keep my reusable bags in the car, and we don't use plastic for food storage. But it's hard to stop buying stuff packed in plastic.

The amount of trash you get from takeout or to-go boxes is ridiculous. Frequently you get a pack of disposable plastic ware, and food in a styrofoam or other plastic container. While I don't think it's acceptable to bring your own reusable container, you can ask them to not include plastic ware with your takeout and use your own silverware at home.

I save any junk mail I get (snail mail, I mean) and I use all the envelopes and backs of advertisements, coupons, etc, as my daily "pad" to jot down stuff.
I don't buy special pads and paper. I just use that stuff.
If you stack it all nicely, and keep it in a drawer, it looks fine.

After I'm done with them, I put them in a cardboard box I have under my computer desk, so I can easily toss ALL paper into it, and take it to the paper recycling bin at the local school parking lot every month.

So by recycling (I do plastic, glass, tin/aluminum, and cardboard, too) I've save sooooo much money in trash bags, and town trash bags, cut down our waste into the landfil, and sent stuff to be reused. (in our town, we have to buy special trash bags to put our OWN trash bags in, so the garbage company will take them. Stupid eh?)

Use that junk mail! You can't escape it anyway!

I use the paper and fabric bags and recycle anything I can. We have a recycling dumpster in our town so we are very fortunate because you can put a larger variety of things in there than the curb side pick up bins. I reuse bottles and buy the reusable bottles as well. A bottle that filters is so exciting! I get a little flack from family about recycling but I really don't care I know that God gave us charge over this earth and I want to do all I can to be a good steward of it.

not much new to say here, but i will choose a product packaged in cardboard or glass over plastic any time i can. i also take my own bags everywhere--not just the grocery store!

Re-think fast food. So many foods can be prepared quickly and easily at home or at the office thereby eliminating fast food plastics and carrying containers. TO make it fast, make it simple. Oddly enough, an entire steak dinner can be prepared more quickly than a trip to the drive thru restaurant. The food is better, and plastic reduced.

Whenever I buy something small or only a couple of things at a store I will always refuse a bag if I can easily carry it to my car. Much of the time it will even cheer the checker up and they'll thank me.

That said, whenever I do take a bag, whether plastic or paper, I always repurpose them at home.

I've stopped using plastic water bottles, opting instead for reusable Nalgene-type containers filled with tap water. I bring snacks every day to work, but instead of Ziploc bags, I use small reusable plastic containers. I also use these for my sandwiches instead of aluminum foil or ziplocs. We bring our own shopping bags to the supermarket instead of using the store's disposable plastic bags. At home, we use drinking glasses instead of throw-away plastic cups.

once you start paying extra attention to your consumption, all the little things add up, too. Opting for less packaging, BYO grocery bags, and don't forget to recycle what's already out there!

I never buy paper towels. It really bothers me that all you need are regular kitchen towels and dish cloths. They can be washed and dried and not just thrown out. Something to add to the fun is that I buy kitchen towels for all the holidays so it's fun to take them out for the certain holidays, Valentine's , summer scenes, Halloween, Christmas etc.
I do the same thing with napkins. don't buy paper napkins, make some out of cloth material. They're fun and helpful for the environment.

I use plastic grocery bags (ones I still need after filling my cloth bags) as trash bags, so I never buy plastic garbage bags.

I use, and there is now a big emphasis to use, reusable shopping bags. However, there are a lot of times when I run out for one or two things and forgot to bring bags. In these cases I usually just refuse the bag unless it's absolutely necessary. If you get a drink, a sandwich, and a bag of chips for lunch, you can probably carry those in your hands.

We wash and reuse plastic bottles. Same w/ plastic bags, though we try to use cloth whenever possible. Also, cooking from scratch reduces the use/disposal of plastic, because you don't have a bunch of plastic containers to toss. Lastly, we save any plastic jars that come along and use them to store beans, rice and other grains.

I use fabric shopping bags, mason jars to drink. Try not to use plastic ware but bring silver ware instead.
I recycle plastic food containers to store/freeze food.

There are many ways to reduce plastic use:
-Use a bottle such as the one mentioned for water.
-Use reusable glass food containers instead of plastic baggies for meals.
-Use reusable grocery sacks or paper bags at the grocery store.
-Buy bulk foods.
-Count the little things. Purchasing items (shampoo, snacks, cosmetic goods) that consciously use more environmentally packaging encourages other companies to be earth friendly as well :)

this summer, our goal is to use the produce from our garden, putting into the freezer only what we produced. amazing how little plastic is generated when you don't shop for produce at the stores.

Check the content tag of your clothes, and any new stuff you're buying. Polyester is plastic. Natural fibers all the way, and when they're reduced to rags, they can go in the compost pile.

i forgot to say a reuse sandwich bags when possible, and have put my sandwich in a recently emptied chip bag, that really worked well.

I just picked up a set of glass tupperware: easier to clean, longer lasting -- they even double as serving bowls on taco night.

I also carry a metal fork in my bag so I'm never stuck with the flimsy plastic kind.

I don't use plastic bags (or if I have to, I reuse them as trash bags) and I don't drink bottled water.

My newspaper carrier puts the paper in a plastic bag on rainy days. I save them up and, when I have a bag full, I return them to her for reuse. She loves it because she has to buy them for her papers.

I suggest using a refillable mug at the gas station. it saves the environment and money.

I think about plastics every single day and how to reduce use of them. I also recycle all plastic since my city began a recycle program. I use reusable water bottles, and I wash out plastic bags and reuse them, then recycle them. I do not buy alot of silly plastic toys, doo dads, and this and thats. :)

Buy things in cardboard boxes instead of plastic when possible

I take home my ziplocs and containers from lunches to reuse them every week.

Serving beverages in glassware or reusable washable plastic glasses instead of disposables will save a lot of plastic use.

Our family reuses most plastic items including grocery bags, ziploc bags, water bottles, etc.

The easiest thing to do is to use your own bags. Everytime I shop and I see all the bags being used I crindge.

I'm a carbonated water junkie. I drink a liter a day. I used to buy club soda/seltzer/Perrier at the store all the time. That is until I found Soda Club. Now I just make my own at home from filtered water from the fridge. I have made over 600 liters of this stuff in the past two years. That's 1,200 less half liter bottles in landfill.

I almost always get paper at the grocery store. They are still cutting down trees to make it, but trees grow back. Actually in many paper producing areas (Wisconsin for example) the paper industry is semi-sustainable.

We drink filtered water from reusable bottles- always. How nice itt would be to be able to refill away from home!

I bought one of those sandwich containers and use that instead of baggies. May not be much..but every bit counts!

I drive an old Ford car which may end up using more gasoline, but it's all metal, and it is very safe, and saves a TON on plastic when compared to all that is used on all these foreign cars now-a-days :)

I buy practically everything (clothing, household items) used. That is a huge way to reduce landfill waste and recycle things. It's also easier on the pocketbook. When I am done with the items, I sell or donate them.
Use rags instead of paper towels or pre-packaged cloths for cleaning. Make your rags out of used clothing, towels, socks, etc.
Buy a freaking coffee pot people! Drink your cup of coffee out of a mug at your own kitchen table rather than making that stop at the gourmet coffee shop on your way to work...

I use glass containers and jars to store items in as ewll as, to re-heat foods. It is washable and reheating in plastic is dangerous.

Bring your own coffee cup with ounces marked on it.

Bring your own cup, pint, quart, and other containers to restaurants to "doggie bag it" and for take-out, without using their un-reusable plastic.

The containers that your community do not recycle can be recycle at corporations that recycle. An example is Whole Foods will collect number 5.

Think outside the box to find answers.

Demand that retailers eliminate the huge plastic blister packs that are not only hard to open, but are hard to recycle because they're usually oddly shaped.

I reduce my plastic use by NOT buying bottled water, carrying reusable bags to the stores, packing my lunch in reusable/washable containers, and by encouraging family and friends to do the same!

We don't buy bottled water any more. We've cut down on buying other drinks that come in a plastic bottle.

When i go to my local chron guy i do away with the sandwich bag receptacle. I bring my own aluminium canister which can accommodate at least a dubski. Who do you think taught you to burn trees? That Dr. Dre did.

Seeing pictures of the Pacific Garbage Patch always breaks my heart! To reduce our use of plastics we're using reusable water bottles, recycling as much as possible, buying products with less packaging, and buying products that come in biodegradable packaging over plastic (such as cardboard milk bottles over plastic). I wish there was more I could do, I definitely think every little bit helps.

I reuse plastic water bottles

These are a very sound idea. Alongside having your own means of creating good, filtered water, it is sensible for organisations to provide this facility on tap. A watercooler, that never runs out, is very important in the office situation where workers may not have access to the above product

I use a stainless steel bottle for water, tote my own bags to the supermarket, carry a net bag always...and celebrate no-disposible-plastic days each week.

Would love to try this bottle -- especially when I am on the road!

A way I can reduce my plastic use is to use aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap.

As many stated, I also use reusable bags when I go to stores. When I pack a lunch for work, I use a sandwich holder. This way I don't use a sandwich bag everyday. I also use glass pyrex containers for leftovers. I try to do what I can, when I can.

I try to recycle my milk cartons as often as I can.

Also, I try and remember to bring the canvas bags (in the trunk of the car) into the markets and shopping centers with me, too.

Some of my tips are:
-use ceramics--they are fine for most microwaves
-(re)use glass for leftovers, DIY projects, home beauty products
-use compostables: renewable corn, bamboo, or high-consumer- recycled-content-based alternatives
-bring your own utensils: titanium sporks, travel chopsticks, compostables
-check out natural rubber and natural resin products in general
-get metal glasses frames-- some are lightweight titanium
-get wooden glasses frames
-get corrective eye surgery to combat reusable contact waste
-use high-consumer-recycled-content-based alternatives paper bags for picking up after your dog
-checkout waxed products instead of plastic coated, vinyl etc.
-use metal canteens, mugs, etc for water

I guess I do recycle more than I realize. I do not throw much out. Prescription bottles are great to hold all sorts of small stuff: change , screws and nails etc.

I think the reusable bags are covered. I carry a large messenger bag and decline the plastic bag for purchases.

Don't forget about re-purposing other items - for those of you with i-pods and other devices and a stack of plastic cd's gathering dust- they make great coasters, or can be used on a wall for a very interesting decoration.

Vinyl lovers - (or haters) clocks- and bowls - melt those ruined albums down for a nice centerpiece. Makes a great gift.

Just remember to always ask yourself before you throw something away, is there another way to use this or could someone else use it?

In addition to reusing plastic containers from take-out food, we also will rinse and reuse ziplock bags. I also love reusable cloth grocery bags -- they are so much sturdier and can fit so much more, all while cutting back on excess plastic/paper use. Thanks!

We use our canvas bags for groceries, lunch bags,and even pool totes!

We stopped using:
plastic eating utensils
plastic plates, cups, bowls
plastic storage containers
plastic wrap
plastic bags in the grocery or other stores
plastic water bottles
We've reduced out garbage tremendously!!

I use 2 and 3 liter bottles and other plastic containers as small green houses for garden plants ,stake them to the ground .in freezing weather I have saved my plants Just cut them in half. use lid on top of bottles. cut sheets out of bottles for other uses too. The sheet can be used as spacers backup paper fasten alumaun foil to plastic for reflectors,got some on my air conditioner protection from sun in summer 100% plus heat,etc.
I've got a million uses for plastics.

My fiance just recieved his degree in wildlife Biology. We have started to go green in ways I never dreamed we could. One thing i hate doing now is buying millions of water bottles, and using plastic bags. I am a very artsy person, so i created my own bottles for the days of the week, i scrub and wash, and reuse. I use tap water. its pretty much the same thing! and i still get to use a bottle everyday! Also, i sewed together pieces of old carry on bags together and i bring it to the grocery store. I always get compliments. You should always be creative. This world needs some more TLC and creative thinkers who are willing to save this planet!
kristenoconnor413@yahoo.com