It took a few trips to the grocery store before we remembered to grab the reusable bags we kept in the car. We’d get a few steps inside, realize we’d forgotten them and run back out. In short, it took a few days to break a lifelong habit. We kicked plastic grocery bags to the curb, just like that. And we shop for seven. So if we can do it, anyone can.
We felt we had no choice after reading so many headlines about the impact of climate change and how plastic trash is affecting Earth’s wildlife. When we’re out exploring and hiking, we also pick up trash others leave behind.
Experts predict plastic will outweigh fish in the world’s oceans by the year 2050, which is terrifying. A dead whale was found recently in the Philippines with 80 pounds of plastic in its stomach. If that doesn’t trouble you, try googling the Great Pacific garbage patch.
So, beyond grocery bags, we’ve also kicked sandwich bags and produce bags to the curb. That might sound impossible with kids, but it’s not. Was it an adjustment? Totally. Did the kids catch on? Yep. Not only did they catch on, but they began to take pride in doing the right thing, and they started making thoughtful connections as budding environmental stewards.
As a family that runs kids to playdates and sports practices, packs lunches and sends snacks, we can honestly say building a little environmental responsibility into each day is not impossible or even painful. It’s just a matter of creating new habits. Here are a few ways you can, too.
Ditch plastic bags
Despite more than a decade of knowing better, plastic bags are still filling grocery carts. They don’t have to. Buy a half dozen reusable grocery bags, and keep them in the car. Always. Then, retrain yourself. If you forget your bags at home, use the paper bags most grocers provide or carry what you buy. Before you know it, you’ll have a new, more responsible habit. And, while you’re at it, stop using plastic produce bags. We ordered washable mesh bags from Amazon, and we love them. Stuff them inside your reusable grocery bags, and you won’t forget them.
Turn to Tupperware
Think of how many sandwich bags you throw away every day. Reusable containers will ease your conscience. Goldfish crackers, pretzels, Takis, fruit and cookies all fit in small, reusable plastic containers just as well as they fit in disposable plastic sandwich bags. And — newsflash! — kids can be trusted to bring the containers home. This, too, was an adjustment, but it didn’t take long for new habits to form.
Learn to compost
Most cities have composting programs through their waste management departments, which makes getting a compost bin super easy. We started composting recently as one of the first steps toward building an urban garden, and we’re a little obsessed with it. The kids already know they should no longer chuck banana peels and eggshells in the trash, and instead toss them into our compost bucket, where we collect all our non-meat food waste and grind it up each day for our backyard bin. Not only are you cultivating valuable soil by composting, you’re keeping food waste out of landfills and putting it to use. You’ll be amazed at how quickly composting will lead to lighter loads in your trash bin.
Buy reusable straws
Besides sandwich bags, plastic straws might be one of the toughest habits to break, especially on the road. Drinks come with lids (and kids need lids!), so they also need straws. We purchased a set of silicone straws for when we’re on the go. They come in different sizes to accommodate thicker drinks, and they come with little brushes for cleaning. We keep a bag of them in the car console, so we always have them. If silicone seems weird, try steel straws. We recently saw a set for less than $3 at Walmart.
Break up with Styrofoam and plastic water bottles
The first time I asked a convenience store worker if I could use my recyclable cup at the soda machine, he looked at me a little sideways, but ultimately said it was fine. Styrofoam is not biodegradable, and it never goes away. Just avoid it. Do the same with single-use plastic water bottles. Give kids their own refillable bottle, and they will learn responsibility in more ways than one.
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