How To Reduce Plastic Waste: 15 Simple Tips to Reduce Plastic Use
Plastic is everywhere and in everything, and it’s exhausting. From packaging that piles up in our homes to stray wrappers that find their way into waterways, plastic waste has become a frustrating part of daily life. And unfortunately, it’s more than just inconvenient - it’s devastating for the planet and to our health.
In fact, it’s estimated that over 20 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems each year, threatening marine life and contributing to long-term environmental damage. In regards to our health, plastic waste often breaks down into micro- and nano-plastics which enter the human body via water, food and even just when breathing. Scientists are now finding these micro-plastic particles in our blood, brains, breast milk, placentas, semen and even bone marrow.
But here’s the good news: you can help change the story.
Learning how to reduce plastic waste doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small, consistent changes made at home can create a ripple effect with massive impact. Whether you’re brand new to low-waste living or simply looking to level up your sustainability game, these simple and actionable tips will help you cut down on plastic, decrease the plastics you ingest, support the planet, and build habits you can feel proud of.
Let’s dive into some practical ways to ditch plastic without the overwhelm.
1. Bring Reusable Shopping Bags
With more than 160,000 plastic bags used every second, plastic bags are one of the most harmful single-use plastics in circulation. Skipping the flimsy stuff and shopping with reusable cotton bags instead is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce plastic waste. Plus, they’re sturdy, washable, and way more stylish anyway.
Using cotton totes for holding your grocery haul and reusable mesh and muslin produce bags instead of the flimsy, single-use plastic produce bags. These swaps alone can make a huge impact when you think about how often you might go shopping.
2. Switch to a Reusable Water Bottle
Single-use plastic water bottles are one of the biggest culprits of plastic pollution and micro-plastic ingestion. One liter of bottled water has almost a quarter of a million nano-plastic fragments.
Investing in a durable, reusable water bottle keeps you hydrated and eco-friendly on the go. Our favorite is this collapsible silicone and stainless steel reusable water bottle from Que. Great for on-the-go and collapsible so it doesn’t take as much space! It’s also not as heavy as a full stainless steel water bottle, so ideal for travelling and hiking! The 12oz collapsible water bottle is also perfect for kids at school or after school camps.
3. Ditch Plastic Straws
It’s a small item with a big impact. Plastic straws can be deadly for marine animals, especially due to their small size, widespread use and inability to be recycled. Choose to replace plastic straws with stainless steel straws and help protect the ocean, one sip at a time.
We also love using glass straws, they’re beautiful and can sometimes be easier to clean. Check out our selection in-store!
4. Buy in Bulk
When possible, purchase dry goods, snacks, and other essentials in bulk packaging. It cuts down on individually wrapped packaging and it’s a great step if you’re wondering how to reduce plastic waste in your everyday life. Buying in paper packaging or reusable packaging is even better. You’ll also save money in the long run as your cost per ounce is generally less.
Want to really reduce and also buy in bulk? Then refill your own containers at a locally-owned refill station (more on that next!).
5. Try Refillable Cleaning Supplies
From laundry detergent to dish soap, cleaning products are a huge source of plastic waste. Cut it down by finding a local refill station to reduce plastic consumption and reuse your containers instead of tossing them after each use.
Our zero-waste refill shop in Chicago offers refillable cleaning products, plus refills for your bath, beauty, baby and consumable needs. Focused just on cleaning? We have all-purpose cleaner, cleaning vinegar, dish soap, non-toxic laundry soap, dishwashing powder, and so much more!
Bring in your own container, borrow the free containers we have or buy a new glass or aluminum container to refill endlessly!
We weigh the container, you fill it up and get how much you like, then we weigh the filled container and you just pay for the ounces of the product! Not only are you reducing waste, you’re also using non-toxic cleaning supplies that are good for you and your family!
Side bar: Did you know that most cleaning products don’t list ingredients on their labels because US federal law doesn’t require it, unlike food or cosmetics. Wild fact, isn’t it?
This lack of transparency allows companies to use potentially harmful chemicals without consumer awareness. To avoid stricter regulations, industry groups created voluntary ingredient disclosure programs. While some companies post ingredients online, the information is often vague, incomplete, or hidden from shoppers at the point of sale.
In 2011, the Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011 (H.R. 3457), was proposed but failed to pass. Why not, you might wonder? Well, it’s likely due to industry opposition about business costs and trade secrets.
While we could go on and on about our thoughts on this. We’ll instead leave you with a short read more link if you’d like to learn more about this.
6. Use Reusable Food Containers
Single-use plastic food bags are commonly found in households, but they aren’t recyclable and they can take 20+ years to decompose. That’s why we recommend opting for durable, eco-friendly food storage containers made from glass, bamboo or silicone instead. They last longer, keep your food fresher and are endlessly reusable!
7. Eat at Home More Often
Dining in = less packaging waste. Cooking at home helps you avoid single-use takeout containers, plastic utensils, and extra bags. Bonus tip: if you’re taking leftovers home from a restaurant, bring your own reusable container and use instead of the plastic or styrofoam options! We like collapsible silicone containers for this like our stasher bags or stojo food storage.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid dining out or ordering from local restaurants! Check out this great list from our friends at Chicago Environmentalists of sustainable restaurants in Chicago. These restaurants prioritize biodegradable, compostable or reusable containers for takeout!
8. Use Bar Versions of Personal Care Products
Many personal care items like shampoo and body wash come packaged in single-use, bulky plastic bottles. Additionally, a primary ingredient you’re paying for with liquid products is water. When you buy a bar shampoo or conditioner bar, these are generally equivalent to purchasing two or three plastic bottles of product. These bars are concentrated and they have minimal to no packaging!
You can get shampoo and conditioner bars for all hair types and body soap bars in all sorts of scents. Reduce plastic waste by switching to eco-friendly shampoo bars or vegan bar soap—a simple swap with a big impact. You might be intimidated, but all you have to do is lather in your hand or on your head, it’s as easy as that!
Even better if they are package-free bars! We love our Notice Co. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars and you can buy these in-store or online without packaging! Just put it on your soap shelf or in a reusable travel tin for storage. We also have a few options of Hi-Bar Shampoo and Conditioner Bars as well which are a very popular choice as well. Simply select your desired effect like volumize, hydrate or maintain and you’re good to go!
Bonus: you’re not going to waste space in your bag with liquids or risk a spill in transit! Want a full travel set? We’ve got you! Check out these hair care travel kits.
9. Buy Secondhand
Thrifting doesn’t just save you money, it reduces demand for new plastic-wrapped products. Whether it’s clothes, electronics, or furniture, buying secondhand keeps plastic out of the production and disposal cycle.
Check out your local thrift store, look at Facebook marketplace and buy groups or garage sales before you buy new. Keep items out of landfill by buying secondhand and reduce your consumption of new products.
In Chicago, check out this list of awesome Chicago Thrift Stores. Our top pick: The Brown Elephant.
Side bar: The amount of waste and environmental impact that is caused just by fast fashion is truly alarming, to learn just a few points check out these 9 shocking facts about fast fashion.
10. Carry a Zero-Waste To-Go Kit
Be prepared when you’re out and about. Keep a small kit with a reusable grocery bag, stainless steel or glass straw, reusable coffee cup, travel utensils (these stainless ones are our favorite), a cloth napkin, and a small food container in your bag. You’ll be ready for leftovers, or spontaneous takeout—without the extra waste.
Let’s be real, we live in a world that’s driven by convenience. So, you’re going to want to buy that iced coffee or grab your favorite dish from that restaurant around the corner. Don’t miss out on those things, just consider how you can make those trips plastic and single-use free! The best way to prevent needing single-use plastics is to be prepared and be able to refuse single-use!
11. Don’t Buy Plastic-Wrapped Food
Shopping at your local farmer’s market or zero-waste grocery store helps you avoid excess plastic packaging. Bring your own produce bags and jars to reduce waste while supporting local growers. This is especially hard in today’s plastic driven world. But, that’s where refill stores like ours come into play!
Don’t be afraid to ask your local butcher if they can put your meat after it’s been weighed into your own container with a sticker! Especially a local shop or farmer’s market, you’re more likely to have your needs met.
Not sure where the closest Farmer’s Market in Chicago is to you? Check out our list of Chicago Farmer’s Markets.
12. Opt for Bamboo Alternatives
Bamboo is one of the most versatile and sustainable materials available. Bamboo is considered more sustainable due to its rapid growth rate, minimal water and pesticide requirements, and ability to regenerate without replanting. It also acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 than trees and producing more oxygen.
Consider replacing everyday plastic items with bamboo alternatives such as:
Bamboo products are biodegradable, compostable, and naturally antimicrobial—win, win, win.
If you buy one of these products at our shop, bring them back at their end of life and we’ll compost them for you (for free) with our Chicago composting friends at Block Bins.
P.S. Check out if there’s a Block Bin near you for your day-to-day composting needs!
Shop bamboo products and eco-friendly kitchen supplies
13. Always Recycle (Properly)
If you must use plastic, make sure it gets recycled. Learn how to read recycling symbols and check your local guidelines—recycling programs can vary widely. When in doubt, ask or look it up to avoid “wish-cycling.”
Not sure what you can recycle in your city? Check out Recycle By City for guidelines, here’s the guide for Chicago Recycling.
We offer a few recycling programs in-store. Be sure you check out our guide on How to Recycle Hard-To-Recycle Items in Chicago.
14. Support Plastic-Free Policies
Change starts at home, but it grows through community action. Support local and national initiatives that aim to reduce plastic, such as bag bans, packaging regulations, and refill system standards.
It’s hard to stay updated on everything that might be happening in regards to policies and regulations. We recommend following the Coalition for Plastic Reduction as they’re working hard to create a plastic-free Illinois. The Illinois Environmental Council has been at the forefront of environmental policy development and advocacy in Illinois.
15. Spread the Word
One of the most powerful things you can do to reduce plastic waste? Inspire others. Share tips, talk to your friends, and lead by example. When reducing plastic becomes a community effort, real transformation can happen.
The single biggest impact you can have on our small business outside of purchasing products, is by sharing and referring friends and family to our shop! That can help our business succeed while also sharing a great resource for non-toxic, plastic-free products in Chicago!
Final Thoughts
When you start thinking about how to reduce plastic waste in your life, remember that reducing waste doesn’t require perfection—it just takes intention. We like to say here that practice makes better, so practicing more of these plastic-free habits really will help you be better in the long haul.
Start with two or three changes from this list. Maybe it’s switching to a shampoo bar or bringing your own water bottle and utensil kit when you go out to eat this month. Over time, these small steps build into habits that help you reduce your footprint and live more sustainably.
Together, we can shift away from the throwaway culture, wishcycling and a status of over-consumption and ultimately towards a cleaner, healthier planet.
We’re here for all your plastic-free needs! Stop in and check out our zero waste store in Chicago at 1108 W. Madison, order online or shoot us a message with your questions/needs, we’d love to chat!
FAQs
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How can I reduce plastic use at home?
- Start by switching to reusable products like cotton tote bags, refillable containers, and bar soaps. Focus on reducing single-use plastics in the kitchen and bathroom, and consider shopping at refill or bulk stores when possible.
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Why is plastic waste a problem?
- Plastic waste clogs our waterways, harms wildlife, pollutes ecosystems, and breaks down into toxic microplastics that can enter the food chain. It’s a long-lasting pollutant that the earth struggles to absorb.
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Why is plastic bad for the environment?
- Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose and often ends up in landfills or oceans, causing damage to ecosystems and wildlife. Its production also relies heavily on fossil fuels.
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What is the easiest way to reduce household plastic waste?
- The easiest way is to swap single-use items for reusables—think water bottles, grocery bags, and food containers. These changes are simple, affordable, and make a noticeable difference right away.