Plastic has been part of our daily lives for quite some time, to the point where it can be difficult – if not impossible – to get rid of it completely.
But as Earth Day approaches, here are some simple things you can do in your home to reduce your plastic consumption, according to Evelyne Charuest, journalist and host of the mini-series Ciao Plastic.
1. Say “ciao” to unnecessary plastics
The first step to do is to understand the place that plastic occupies in your life to become aware of the objects that we buy on a daily basis to take the “right gestures”, she indicated at the microphone of Philippe-Vincent. Foisy at QUB radio.
“Most of the plastics we consume end up in landfills. There is 8 to 10% of what ends up in the recycling sector, which will be recycled. There is also 1%, which is found in nature, which is equivalent to 1 kg per Canadian per year, ”detailed the host.
It is thus possible to start with a first step, eliminating the consumption of unnecessary plastics, such as sequins and brilliants.
2. Use your items to the fullest
Even if the temptation is great to throw away her hairbrush to buy a bamboo one for ecological purposes, she insists on the fact that you have to use your objects as long as possible before getting rid of them.
“We don’t throw anything away. […] If it still works, keep it as long as possible,” hammered Mme Charest.
3. Start with simple gestures
After living “virtually plastic-free” to take the test, she realized that some habits are easier to change.
For example, the shift to bulk body products was a revelation on her part, encouraging consumers to refill their bottles or use bar bath products.
4. Hardest: Saying No
Another piece of advice: refuse to buy plastic trinkets that only last a certain amount of time, like toys, and above all, refuse to receive any.
“[Dire non], it’s the most difficult, especially when you have children, she continued. Give experiments, give books, something other than plastic gizmos.”
5. Choose your battles
But at the end of the day, life without plastic is “extremely demanding”, and if it is worth being careful, there is no point in blaming yourself for each bottle of water purchased, she hammered
“It happens that you go out with little one, that he is thirsty and you do not always have a bottle on hand […] We have to stop making people feel guilty with, among other things, clear plastic bottles, because [ce plastique] is very well recycled in Quebec,” she added.
“Less plastic would be better, but we have to realize that plastic is part of our lives and accept to live with some,” says Evelyne Charuest.