1 in 3 Americans say they’ve reduced how much plastic they’re using

7 comments

1. “Say” means nothing. Have they actually reduced their plastic use?

2. I’ve been re-using my big plastic water bottles for work I just refill them every day save $$$ and less waste

3. My family has slowly been transitioning away from plastic for a few years now. We no longer use plastic throwaway water bottles, eliminated plastic k-cups (in favor of metal reusable), stopped using plastic bags at grocery stores, and eliminated plastic Tupperware in favor of glass. Oh and when we do have to buy something that’s plastic, we try to make sure it’s HDPE (highly recyclable). We’re currently trying to eliminate polyester blends when we buy clothing, in favor of cotton.

   We’re open to other ideas and suggestions if you have them!

4. I think most people genuinely care about this problem, they just have a hard time making effective change. At one point, 95% of the population was recycling. It’s just that there are traps and unavoidable pitfalls everywhere. And at some point, you have few or no options. I haven’t seen a milk carton in years. Any liquid soap comes in plastic and bar or powder options aren’t widely available for everything. Butter, yogurt, peanut butter, soda, all in plastic. Yes, people can give them up, but these are really popular products. Rather than saying people should stop buying them, we should say that biodegradable alternatives should be found, because the public will respond well to them.

5. I refill bottles instead of buying new water. Just find a fountain.

6. Once civilization collapses, the other 2 thirds will catch up.

7. Consumer-side behavioral changes are good, but let’s get the mega-corporations to address their plastic use in the first place. People are struggling to get by and don’t need to be lectured about drinking a bottle of water. Let’s think critically.