Say no to over packaging.

Introduction

Sustainability is a hot topic. People want to know how they can help the planet, and one simple answer is reducing the amount of waste you produce. Many products come in excessive packaging that's designed to be thrown away after one use. But are you willing to say no to all those cute little plastic containers? What if I told you it was easier than you thought? Here are six simple ways to cut down on the amount of waste you create:

Make a reusable coffee cup your new best friend.

Okay, so you can’t say no to every single plastic cup that comes your way. But if you do have the option of using a reusable coffee mug or drinking from a glass bottle, take it.

Keep it clean and wash it regularly (although we realize how much easier it would be if all cups were dishwasher safe), and if you lose your cup, buy another one.

Buy in bulk.

Buying in bulk is one the best ways to reduce packaging waste, but it can also save you money. Instead of buying items individually or in smaller packages, buy them together in larger quantities. Then store them in a reusable container so that you have what you need when you need it. This way, your food will stay fresh longer and won’t go bad before its time has come.

Give plastic bottles the flick.

The average American uses 167 plastic bottles every year. The problem with this is that these bottles cannot be recycled because they’re made from a mix of different types of plastics, which makes them difficult to separate.

Plastic also takes up to 1,000 years to decompose in landfill sites and has been found in the stomachs of seabirds, whales and other marine life. This means that once it's out there it can't be removed from the environment by natural processes – so think about how you want your water bottle to end up!

If you only drink bottled water occasionally then having a reusable bottle for your everyday use is more than worth the initial investment. They come in all shapes and sizes (and colours), including glass as well as stainless steel options if you're worried about BPA leaching into your drink from certain materials used in plastic ones like Tritan™ - check out our guide on what to look out for when buying one here!

Buy package-free food

You may be thinking, “But how am I supposed to buy anything?” There are plenty of options for buying loose food—and it's a great way to reduce your own waste and save some money at the same time.

You can buy loose fruit and vegetables from local markets, or even from your grocery store if they have a produce section. If this isn't an option where you live, try looking for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group in your area: these are groups that help connect people with farmers in their area who provide weekly boxes full of fresh produce.
Buy nuts, seeds and grains in bulk bins at health food stores; many stores sell them at discounted rates when they're past their expiration date (though make sure they're still fresh!).
Look out for meat packaged in paper rather than plastic—you can even find packages labeled "compostable." Try to avoid buying meat that comes wrapped in plastic altogether!

Shop at a Refillery.

You can also reduce your plastic waste by purchasing from a refill station. Refill stations can be found in many cities and allow you to refill your water bottle, coffee cup, shampoo and conditioner bottles, sunscreen bottle or laundry detergent jug with the same product purchased from the store. If you are traveling in an area that does not have access to these refilling stations make sure you bring along some stainless steel containers so you can take advantage of bulk buying options when possible.

Say no to plastic bags.

Say no to plastic bags.
Reusable bags are better for the environment, your wallet, and your health.
Reusable grocery bags are made from natural materials (usually cotton or hemp) and come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. They can be used over and over again for years to come!
And yes: choosing reusable bags means you'll never have to worry about getting sick from the germs people leave on those under-the-aisle checkout counters again! You'll be helping keep our planet clean too—every time someone uses one of these reusable grocery totes instead of using a disposable plastic bag they're saving thousands of dollars worth of petroleum products from going into landfills each year—and reducing global warming pollution by up to one ton per person per year just by switching backpacks!

Cut down on the amount of waste you throw out and help the planet.

Reduce your waste and help the planet by saying no to over packaging.
What is over packaging? It’s any unnecessary product packaging, like a cardboard box or plastic wrap.
How does it help the planet? It reduces pollution by cutting down on the amount of materials used specifically for this purpose.
Here are some ways you can reduce your waste:
Use reusable shopping bags instead of paper ones. They’re better for both your wallet and the environment! Plus they can be cute too!

Conclusion

There are many ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce, but the most important thing is to start somewhere. There’s no doubt it will take some time and effort, but there are so many benefits to doing so. Reducing your environmental impact helps others too, so why not make today the day you change?