In the U.S., how to use less has never been searched more than in 2021.
The top 5 U.S. how to use less… searches in 2021
how to use less plastic how to use less water how to use less ram how to use less data how to use less gasAngus says that even though she hears often from friends and followers who have questions about her plastic-free lifestyle, she tries not to impose it on other people. Some people have disabilities that require more plastic use, and others just aren’t in a good place to upend their habits. “I want to lead by example, not by pressuring and shaming people,” she says. Instead, Angus has some tips for how people who are interested can get started on their own plastic-free journey.
Pick one small thing to start with.
Most of the people Angus hears from are already overwhelmed. “People will tell me, ‘I feel like a terrible human being for buying toothpaste in plastic, but I don’t have the time to completely make over my life,’ ” she says. “I tell people to pick one thing to work on. They don’t have to commit to go 100 percent right now.”
Tackle your bathroom.
Angus uses a bamboo toothbrush and biodegradable silk floss. She buys her deodorant, soap, and shampoo in bars instead of plastic bottles. A plastic razor can be swapped out for a metal one.
Focus on single use food plastics.
The most common plastics found on the beach are related to food packaging, so Angus typically recommends starting there. She suggests packing a set of reusable utensils in your car or purse, skipping takeout and instead opting to sit at the restaurant, or simply asking that your takeout order not include a plastic bag, straws, or utensils if you can.
Clean up your cleaners.
Almost all cleaners are sold in plastic bottles, and most of them are full of chemicals that are also toxic for the environment. Angus suggests making your own cleaner out of baking soda, vinegar, and liquid castile soap. She uses this recipe to clean everything in her house, from floors to countertops to toilets to windows. She stores her cleaning solution in a glass bottle with a plastic cap from an old cleaning spray.
Spend consciously.
From beverages to produce to meat packaging to cereal boxes to frozen vegetables, plastic feels unavoidable when you’re buying food. Angus buys her meat from a local butcher who lets her bring her own container. She uses cloth bags to buy her staples in bulk and mesh bags for her produce, which she always buys fresh. Since nearly all tea bags contain plastic, she uses a metal strainer to make tea in a metal to-go cup.
Be more aware of what you buy.
The first advice Angus gives anybody is simple: before you buy something, ask yourself whether you really need it. “The most green, zero-waste, plastic-free thing you can buy is nothing,” she says.
Do a trash audit.
Look at each piece of trash you produce and ask yourself if it adds value to your life. “If the answer is no, then stop buying it,” Angus says. “If the answer is yes, then try to find a plastic-free alternative for it.”