At Sinplastico we have been living with next to no plastic for a number of years. This significant change has made our lives better, healthier and greener.
Today we would like to share with you the first 3 steps we took on our quest for a plastic-free life.
Step 1: Have a clear idea of your plastic usage
The first step should be an evaluation. The idea is to identify how much and what kind of plastic we use. This stage can take a number of days, or possibly even a few weeks. Unfortunately there is more plastic in our lives than we might like to think. In our case, we looked not only at the amount of plastic that we used and threw away at home, but also the amount of plastic we generated outdoors. Usually away from home is where we consume and dispose of the most plastic.
However, possibly the most important thing was to pay attention to the variety. What kinds of plastic did we use? And above all, what did we use plastic for? Only once we have completed this honest analysis, can we look for and find alternatives.
Step 2: Stay calm and come up with a plan
Once you have identified how you use plastic, in regards to both the quantity and type of waste generated, don’t feel guilty and don’t panic. For a minute we felt overwhelmed, like we were facing a mountain (of plastic) too big to overcome.
Take on this challenge step by step. Based on your assessment from Step 1 put together a plan that will help you say goodbye to a huge part of the plastic you use. In our case, we started the process reducing the waste in stages: first the shopping bags, then the bottles, later the food packaging, and then the bags for weighing fruit and vegetables etc.
Step 3: Start to substitute plastic objects a little at a time
Try to avoid throwing away every plastic item in your home all at once. The idea is not to suddenly generate a whole lot of waste. The priority is to identify which are the objects that you should substitute due to health implications, for example food containers, baby bottles and kitchenware and tools. Later you can go looking for alternatives to the remaining plastic items you have at home as they break or wear out, for example toothbrushes, hair brushes.
The important thing about this change is to understand that this process will not happen in a day, you need time to think it through, but following these 3 practical steps, we guarantee effective and long lasting results, along with all the satisfaction that delivers.
Good luck, and don’t hesitate to ask us if you need more advice or ideas. We are here to help!
