Reduce Plastic Waste

About

Disposable plastics, plastic grocery bags, bottles, straws, and utensils are a major source of plastic pollution in the Bay and beyond. While plastic can take centuries to biodegrade, it takes very little time for tiny pieces to start breaking off. These microplastics contaminate our soils and waters. The good news is that single-use plastics are getting easier to avoid every day. Fast food restaurants are switching over to disposables made of biodegradable materials and retailers across the state are rapidly moving away from using plastic shopping bags. We can all do our part by minimizing the amount of plastic waste we create.

Benefits

Reducing plastic waste can help our waterways in more ways than you might think. By reducing plastic waste and keeping trash from becoming litter, we help:

  • Keep our storm drains clear and waterways clean. The United Nations envisions that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050 unless people stop using single-use plastic items such as plastic bags and plastic bottles.

  • Protect wildlife and marine life from harm. Each plastic bag is typically used for a total of 12 minutes before being disposed, but it can take 500 or more years to degrade when thrown away. While degrading, tiny pieces break off and end up in the soil, oceans, and stomachs of wildlife and marine life.

  • Reduce climate change. The energy required to produce bottled water is up to 2,000 times the energy used to treat and distribute tap water.

  • Protect you and your family. Microplastics and dangerous chemicals can leach from plastic bottles and utensils into your food.

How to reduce plastic in your everyday

  • Remember to bring a reusable bag with you when you go shopping. If you forget, go for paper over plastic.

  • Carry a reusable bottle or coffee cup with you. You can even stash a set of silverware in your bag.

  • Choose recyclable products, like aluminum and glass bottles, if you need to buy a cold drink. Avoid plastic.

  • Use compostable food containers and cutlery and encourage your favorite takeout spot to do the same!

  • Look for products that minimize packaging at the store. When we make it clear that we want to eliminate single-use plastics, the market responds!

Additional Resources