Can one replace 500? It can if you’re talking about using a single reusable cup all year long. Just one reusable cup can replace about 500 paper or foam coffee cups, according to this graphic posted by The Farm Project and Less Plastic.
Five hundred cups may not sound like that big of a deal in the long run, but when you consider that the entire U.S. population alone generates around seven hundred thousand tons of trash—every single day–you start to see how little things really do add up.
What if we all switched to reusable? What kind of difference could that make?
What reusable items do you love most? Please tell our readers about them in the comments below!Resources:
I have the straws. I reuse plastic containers for leftovers. I am having a really hard time getting away from ziplock bags! Any suggestions? And yes I am trying beeswax wraps but never seen to have enough
There are washable fabric bags that zip closed and have waterproof liners. I use them all the time. And they come in fun colourful prints.
Where to you find those Sharon?
I buy them locally. They are made by COLIBRI. You may be able to find them online.
Norwex offers silicone lids to cover dishes to help reduce plastic and foil. But yes I agree, ziplocks are a touch one to stop using all together.
I wash & reuse my zip lock bags and my veggie zip lock bags!
I also use Pyrex glass bowls with lids for left overs it Anchor Hocking; have Grab-It’s I can also use in microwave and glass Pyrex casserole dishes for the oven and enamel roasters too!
I was at a youth camp last week and was so disturbed at the amount of water bottles being used and discarded!! Next year I’ll encourage the students to bring their own reusable bottles or purchase them myself. A simple, small step that would make a huge difference…
I love the quote in this graphic, “The people who make the BIGGEST difference are the ones who do the LITTLE things consistently”
Terri, thanks for your comment! We loved it too–it’s all about consistency.
I have the metal straws, reusable grocery bags and I always try to use reusable coffee cups/drinking glasses. I have to admit that I haven’t started using the straws yet; it’s taking some getting used to. Does anyone know where you can get a glass floss container? I’ve never heard of that before.
I love my reusable shopping bags and cups and produce bags even, my problem is remembering to use them. I would like to get better about it. One thing I did when I went shopping yesterday was before I left my house, I grabbed my bags out of the back and put them next to me so I had a better chance of remembering them…I did and didn’t have to use any grocery sacks from the store.
I’ve been using reusable bags/cups for about 15 years & the Norwex toothbrush for about 6 yrs. I’m just starting to use the silicone lids & stainless steel straws; I found them to be a harder habit to break.
I love the quote too!!
I use glass juice jars for water bottles and quart and pint canning jars for storage of staples. Yes, I still have plastic storage containers for perishables, and I certainly DO NOT reheat food in plastic containers in the microwave.
Water bottle and coffee cups, I always bring my own whether traveling around town or taking a plane trip. Easy to pack and use, no excuses!
I use a stainless steel H20 bottle, a reusable coffee cup, a reusable cup with lid & straw; I have reusable shopping bags I take on every trip to the store, and use cloth towels instead of paper ones for everything, also have stainless steel straws!