Mindful Living: 5 Plastic Items You can Replace Right Now That Will Keep Your Wallet and The Planet Green

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb

Recently, a young whale washed ashore in the Philippines coughing up blood. The whale was described as being sick and emaciated. A few hours later it died.

During a necropsy (animal autopsy), mammal expert, Darrell Blatchley found 88 pounds of plastic bags and other plastic materials “bursting” from the animal’s stomach. The whale died from starvation and severe dehydration.

Whales, like many other marine life species, get all of their hydration from the food they consume. And by consuming so much plastic, this young whale was unable to eat food and receive proper hydration — its stomach was too full of plastic it couldn’t digest.

And what happened to this whale isn’t a fluke. Instead, across the world, this is the unfortunate fate of much of the ocean’s marine life. And we all play a role in this reality.

Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean. And that plastic doesn’t go away. It stays in the ocean, killing and hurting marine life.

The earth and its oceans need us to take accountability for our actions and make changes today. Our children deserve better, our planet deserves better, and we deserve better. 

If you’re ready to reduce your plastic intake, here are 5 plastic items you can replace right now that will not only save you money but also reduce plastic pollution worldwide:

1.) Plastic straws

Every day, millions of plastic straws are used and discarded. These straws are one of the main contributors to marine pollution. Rather than biodegrading they instead break down into smaller microplastic bits and end up being consumed by and harming all types of marine life.

What you can do: When you’re dining out or ordering a drink that would normally come with a straw, tell your server you don’t want a straw. Opt instead to bring your own reusable straw with you where ever you go.

Replace single-use plastic straws with Tavas Creations Silicon Reusable Straws:

Not only are these straws bendable and easy to pack, but they’re also eco-friendly and easy to clean. Each package (which is 100% biodegradable and made from recycled material) comes with a straw cleaning brush so you can clean the inside of the straws just as well as the outside!

2.) Plastic grocery bags

According to studies, the average American family uses 1,500 plastic bags per year. Of those bags, only 1% (15 in total) are recycled. The rest of the bags end up in the landfill or scattered elsewhere where they pollute the earth and the oceans.

What you can do: When you do your grocery shopping, or anytime you leave your house and might make a purchase, bring along a reusable bag that can carry your goods! You’ll end up reducing your personal plastic output, and probably saving a few whales in the process!

Replace single-use plastic grocery bags with True Natured Co. zero waste mesh bags:

In addition to helping you cut back on your plastic output, these True Nature Co. bags are also 100% biodegradable, durable and lightweight!

3.) Disposable plastic bottles

Most of us don’t bat an eyelash when we think about purchasing a bottle of water. Or when we throw that bottle away. But what we don’t realize is how much each bottle toss negatively impacts our planet.

Each year, billions of plastic bottles are used, and less than 30% of them are recycled. In America alone, each person consumes about 167 bottles of water per year, and the majority of those bottles end up polluting the planet.

What you can do: Reduce the number of plastic bottles polluting the planet this year by 167, and purchase a reusable bottle. Anytime you travel, workout, or would otherwise be inclined to purchase a bottle, instead opt to pack your own.

Replace single-use plastic bottles with a reusable glass Origin water bottle:

These bottles are durable and impact resistant so you can use them everywhere — from hikes in the mountains to walks in the park! What’s more — they’re safe and non-toxic, and for each bottle purchased, 2% of the profits go to helping impoverished people access clean drinking water!

4.) Plastic wrap

Single-use plastic wrap was created to help make our lives easier — it’s used to preserve food and its freshness. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the largest contributors to marine pollution worldwide and can linger in our environment for 2,000 years or more because it’s not biodegradable!

Yikes! Luckily, you can help turn this problem into a solution!

What you can do: Rather than wrapping your leftovers or any other food in plastic wrap, use Bee’s wrap instead.

Replace single-use plastic wrap with Bee’s Wrap:

Beeswax wrap is made from organic cotton, beeswax, tree resin and organic jojoba oil making it lightweight, easy to carry and completely toxic-free! Plus it’s washable, reusable for up to a year and is 100% biodegradable!

5.) Disposable plastic to-go containers

Takeout orders are responsible for about 269,000 tons of plastic waste in the ocean (from the US alone!). These single-use plastic containers are thrown away after the food is consumed, and end up polluting the environment.

What you can do: When you pack food from home or take food to-go from parties, restaurants etc. use reusable containers rather than disposable plastic.

Replace disposable plastic to-go containers with the Bento Box:

 

 

Not only is the Bento Box small and compact, but it’s also durable, dishwasher safe and can be used in a variety of ways including as a lunch box and to take leftover food to-go!

By implementing these 5 small changes in your life, you’ll make a big impact on the planet and reduce the amount of pollution worldwide. What you consume matters — for your health and the health of the world…

Xx,

Antasha

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About Antasha Durbin: Antasha is a spiritual writer, life-long student of the universe, and psychic tarot card reader. Her website, cajspirituality.com, is dedicated to casualizing the spiritual experience and making it attainable for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Follow her for free, easy-to-digest and highly actionable advice on spirituality, mindfulness and empowered living.