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ENTITY works on those bad habits that waste a lot of plastic.

We all have some bad habits to kick, whether it’s biting our nails or eating too much junk food, for example.

Some of our bad habits have an impact on more than just us. Our little everyday actions have a big impact, particularly if they involve plastic.

Plastic has invaded nearly every part of our lives. We store our food in it, we brush our teeth with it and sometimes we drink out of it. All of that trash has to go somewhere, like in our landfills and our oceans where they might harm the wildlife or release dangerous chemicals.

There’s something that we can do about it, though. Just like most habits, we can kick them if we put in the effort. Here are some ways to reduce your plastic waste.

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

1 Using plastic bags

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

Photo via Instagram / @svseaodyssey

One of your bad habits involves using plastic bags while shopping. This is one we all hear, all of the time. The EPA estimates that Americans use around 380 billion plastic bags per year. Some states have passed plastic bag bans or now require fees when you use one.

While that all helps, there’s no excuse anymore for individuals to use plastic bags. We shouldn’t have to use them when getting a reusable one requires such little effort.

Fork out a little extra for some reusable grocery bags and keep them with you. How many times have you been out and are suddenly craving something like cookies? If you have your reusable bags with you,  whether in your car or rolled up in your bag, you won’t have to worry about plastic bags ever again, even on a surprise grocery run.

2 Drinking bottled water

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

Photo via Instagram / @allybeeknitwear

It’s a scam, people! Water comes straight out of your faucet or a public fountain. There’s no reason to buy bottled water when a lot of it is tap water with a label slapped over it. There’s no difference.

Other bottled water is filtered or comes from a natural spring, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better. The bottle itself could be leaking harmful chemicals into your water. Plus, the water doesn’t have to go through the same safety checks that tap water does.

The Guardian reported that one million plastic bottles are bought per minute around the world. Only a percentage of it is recycled, and recycling only does so much. Is it worth it to add all of that plastic to the landfill?

Carry a refillable, metal or glass bottle with you to reduce the plastic consumption. It will still taste just as great.

3 Buying stuff in plastic packaging

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

Photo via Daria Nepriakhina / Unsplash

Your online shopping habit does more than just cause fuel inefficient delivery trucks. Think of all of that bubble wrap.

The bubble wrap industry is making more money thanks to the prevalence of online shopping, but it isn’t the only plastic in packaging. What do toys, Christmas ornaments, school supplies, or guacamole from your grocery store have in common? They’re packaged in plastic.

It’s tough to go completely plastic-free, although it’s possible to reduce your consumption. One way to lessen your plastic footprint is to cut down on spending.

You could also start trying to buy in bulk or somewhere where you can buy package-free items. Scoop your dry ingredients into a glass jar like this woman does. Need a present for your niece? Hit the local shop in town where they hand-knit stuffed animals. You don’t need a product cooped up in plastic to make you happy.

The EPA says that packaging accounted for the largest portion of Municipal Solid Waste, or MSW, in 2014 and plastic makes up a chunk of that. So do your part to make sure less plastic packaging hits the landfill.

4 Buying products made of plastic

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

@helloimnik / Unsplash

You don’t just throw out plastic bags and bottles. The EPA estimates that 12.15 million tons of plastic waste in 2014 didn’t come from disposable products but “durable goods.” Even if you know you’re buying something that’ll last a long time, you have to think about what its life will be after you.

There are plastic-free options for almost anything. You might have to do some research, but the results are worth it.

Even simple swaps help. For example, switch out for a wooden or metal serving spoon or a wooden cutting board instead of a plastic mat. Glass or metal cookware, containers, jars and other similar products are all good alternatives and just as easy to find as their plastic counterparts. So if you need something new, just don’t buy it in plastic!

5 Ordering takeout

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

Photo via Instagram / @trashform

Ah, beloved takeout. It saves you when you’re too lazy to break out the pan, but it’s a habit that can take a toll on the environment.

Take a look at these statistics: U.S. takeout is responsible for 269,000 tons of plastic waste in the oceans. You could add paper or cardboard containers to the compost pile, but the plastic ones aren’t. If you can, ask for another option or bring your own container.

Don’t forget about straws, lids, utensils and other plastic components. The little things add up, so pay attention to how you order, consume and serve food to reduce your environmental impact.

6 Using disposables

ENTITY kicks those bad habits that waste plastic.

Photo via Pâmela Lima / Unsplash

This is the all-encompassing one. We’re Americans and many of us are trained to use things once and then toss them out. The EPA says that plastic “nondurables,” including plastic cups or plates, made up about 6.78 million tons of waste in 2014. This goes along with other aspects of your life, including your plastic razors, your toothbrush and your dental floss picks. These are a little bit trickier to replace, but it isn’t impossible.

FIrst, you have to pay attention to your comfort level. Even people bent on going zero-waste might still have plastic in their lives. If you’re scared to try that metal safety razor with replaceable blades, then hang on to your plastic razors. Just keep in mind how quickly those little things add up and make sacrifices elsewhere.

By working on some of these bad habits, you’re making the world a little bit greener one step at a time. You have one life so live it well and in a way that leaves a positive impact rather than tons of plastic waste.

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