Seven Plastic Items We Can Eliminate Today that Will Save Oil for the Future

Not many people realize that our increased dependence on plastic items has a direct effect on the price of oil. Plastic items as small as plastic knives and as large as gallon containers, all petroleum based products, can be eliminated from our daily lives with little hindrance to our habits. The following seven items can be eliminated and the world can save billions of gallons of oil.

7. Do Not Use Disposable Plastic Wraps

Cellophane wrap and products that are purchased wrapped in plastic wrap are a major waste of plastic material. Cut back on purchasing any products that are wasteful when it comes to packaging their products. If it is a product you like and want to continue using, write a letter to the manufacturer.

6. Use Cardboard Boxed Detergent Instead of Plastic

All clothing detergent comes with two options. They are packaged in plastic liquid containers or cardboard powder versions of the clothing detergent. By purchasing only cardboard versions of the detergent it will create demand and plastic packaging will slow.

5. Do Not Use Plastic Bottles For Milk

Plastic milk containers cause several problems. The lids are usually discarded and end up in sewers, ultimately finding their way in the ocean. The large containers themselves, when not recycled, take up valuable landfill. Buy milk in cartons and not plastic. Reusable milk bottles are also making a comeback. Companies such as Winder Farms deliver milk in reusable bottles.

4. Use a Reusable Coffee Cup

Can't live without a daily dose of caffeine provided by the local coffee shop or Starbucks? Use a reusable coffee mug and save the use of not only plastic materials in the lid but the packaging of the cups as well.

3. Eliminate Plastic Shopping Bags

Plastic shopping bags can be recycled but it is rare that it ever occurs. Canvas bags have been slow to take hold in the public consciousness but cities such as San Francisco have begun to regulate them into existence. Eliminating plastic shopping bags in the United States is not an earth shattering idea. After all they have not been a staple in supermarkets for a very long time.

2. Reuse Plastic Cups

Fast food restaurants need to eliminate large plastic cups. Until they do eliminate them, there are two choices for consumers. Either stop ordering drinks that are distributed in plastic cups or save the cups. It is a simple adjustment to daily life and it will save millions of gallons of oil if fast food and other industry eliminated plastic cups.

1. Eliminate Bottle Water

Bottled water is an industry that has become a huge money maker over the last few years. The oil used in the plastic of these cups has grown over the last few years. Instead of drinking bottled water the best thing a consumer can do is buy a reusable thermos. Purchase a Brita Water faucet or Brita Water Pitcher. This will eliminate impurities and save the environment.

sources:

http://www.savesfbay.org/save-bay-launches-campaign-
eliminate-plastic-bag-pollution-california

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