Less plastic waste, one small change at a time
Plastic: While many of us aspire to avoid it, it’s everywhere! That’s why Ridwell is committed to conveniently recycling many of the plastics that curbside programs don’t collect.
We also curated this list of realistic ways to use less plastic.
Home recycling habits
As a Ridwell member, you’re already wasting less at home. Yay! Here are a few ideas to make sure you’re getting the most out of curbside recycling and Ridwell.
Make sure you know what goes where. Review what we take and visit your local curbside provider’s site to remember exactly what goes in your blue, green, and black curbside containers.
Get used to double-checking that your recyclables are clean so they won’t be counted as contamination, the biggest reason recyclables end up not actually being recycled. This process doesn’t have to be intense! Learn more about recycling contamination >
Set up your Ridwell bags in a way that encourages everyone in your household to remember to fill them between pickups. For example, keep the plastic film bag near your front door if that’s where you usually open packages.
Household products
Maybe you’re someone who wants to go all-in on making your own cleaning supplies and hygiene products to avoid plastic. If you are, you’ve got this area covered. If not, doing one small thing is something we salute. Would one of these ideas work for you?
Try toothpaste bites and swap liquid formulas for bars made for face and body, shaving, and hair (or just one of these).
Choose cleaning products that use glass bottles and concentrated refills (often on convenient subscription plans) or refill the bottles you have at a bulk store.
Consider switching from disposable razors to a stainless steel one with replaceable blades (bonus points if they come in cardboard).
Celebrations
Simply because they don’t happen every day, celebrations can present extra challenges for folks who are trying to avoid single-use plastic. The good news is there are lots of not-too-difficult solutions you can prep.
Decorations are a big source of waste—balloons and glitter almost always end up in the landfill. Consider options like paper bunting, tissue pom poms, paper lanterns, and fresh flowers. Bonus points for sharing reusable decorations with your neighbors!
Rather than using plastic cutlery, consider bamboo. Or just simply use your everyday set and borrow any extra you need from friends.
Be sure to label containers for recycling and compost so your guests can easily help you sort at the end of the party.
Out and about
Home habits in great shape? Awesome! Now let’s think about a few ways to plan for less plastic usage when you’re in places where you don’t have control over the options run into.
Remember your reusables! Small habits like taking totes to the grocery store are well worth the effort. Are all of these reusables in your routine? If not, adding them is an easy way to avoid single-use plastic.
Shopping bags
Produce bags
Water bottle
Coffee mug
Metal or silicone straw
Cutlery set
Snack bags
Avoid wishcycling. It happens to the best of us: we have something to recycle and are faced with less than ideally labeled containers at a park or on a city street. Resist the urge to assume someone will sort it out if you’re not sure where your item goes.
Explore local bin shopping. Whether you have a bulk store in your neighborhood or simply cast a new eye on the grocery bins, consider swapping some packaged items for bulk ones you can bring home in your reusables. Bonus: there’s just something satisfying about scooping things out of bins!
Whether you want to embrace one of these ideas, a few, or even all of them, you’re on the right track toward taking control of the plastic in your life. When you can’t avoid plastic, we’re here to help with easy recycling of multi-layer plastic, plastic film, pill bottles, bottle caps, bread tags, and more. Together, all of our small steps are making a giant difference!
Want to recycle all your multi-layer plastic?
Help a friend recycle so much more plastic for Plastic Free July! Invite friends
