Reducing Plastic Usage
Plastic has become a resource on which we are highly dependent. In recent years, plastic bags have become a non-recyclable material. Fortunately, in 2021, the region's municipalities put in place bylaws to ban them. This initiative was accompanied by an awareness campaign.
It's important that people are informed about the problem of single-use plastics and its impact on our environment. By developing good habits, it's possible to live with less plastic. There are good solutions and alternatives available for consumers and businesses.
The debate on plastics reduction has been going on for several years. There are popular movements advocating a life with less plastic, which some citizens want to integrate into their daily lives. Another important habit to integrate into daily life is the practice of the 5Rs - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Return to the Earth. Using this practice in this order eliminates the unnecessary use of many types of products that are harmful to the environment. As a result, you become a more conscious consumer.
Here are some things you can do at home every day:
Reduction of Single-use Plastics for businesses
More and more consumers are looking for environmentally friendly products and services. Businesses committed to this increase their chances of meeting the needs of such clients.
Every year, our watershed group organizes community clean-ups and sees how much plastics end up in nature. This waste pollutes our land and water ecosystems and is a threat to many animals and fish.
In the ocean, with the force of currents and waves, these plastics break down and turn into microparticles that fall to the bottom of the sea.
Here are a few simple and inexpensive actions that can be integrated into your activities and interactions with your customers:
- Encourage reusable bags by asking your customers if they have brought them.
- For take-out orders, ask your customers if they really need utensils. If so, offer them biodegradable utensils or other more environmentally friendly materials.
- For customers who ask for them, offer cardboard straws instead of plastic straws.
- Ask your customers whether or not they want condiments (ketchup or other) with their order.
- Use only cardboard or biodegradable containers for take-out orders.
- Use only wooden sticks for coffee.
- For condiments, sauces and jams, avoid small plastic containers.
- Replace Styrofoam and plastic cups with cardboard.
- Hang our poster in your business; it explains that you support initiatives to reduce plastics for the environment.
Download a PDF of this Good deeds list to display in your business.
