One of the biggest threats facing ocean and freshwater environments is plastic pollution. Overall, each year more than eight million tons of plastic make its way into the ocean. These microplastics heavily impact wild marine life, our bodies and the environment. At Hikari® Sales USA, Inc., we care deeply about this threat to aquatic life and that’s why we’d like to take a moment to encourage you to reduce the use of plastic in your life. Here are 5 subtle ways you can help reduce your individual plastic use:

1. Bringing your Own Bag

When heading to the market or local store, instead of opting for a single use plastic bag at checkout, bring your reusable bag. Taking the simple step to bring your own stylish bags can help reduce waste, eliminate trash and wipe out the chance that plastic bag could end up in a waterway somewhere.

2. Saying No to Bottled Water

Next, opt for using a stainless steel water bottle and carrying it with you wherever you go. Not only will you save money by not purchasing water in plastic bottles and paying the CRV for each bottle, you’ll probably stay more hydrated due to the water in your stainless steel bottle staying colder and more appealing.

3. Single-Use Straws

Whether you are at home or dining out in a restaurant, single use straws are a huge contributor to plastic pollution. Next time, just try kindly letting the waitstaff know that you’d like to skip the straw. You’ll be amazed how easy it will become as we find reusable straws being sold. The majority of the time, these are made from sustainable materials such as steel, glass and even bamboo. 

4. Rethinking your Packaging Choices

Did you know, leftovers can also contribute to plastic pollution! Do you toss your extras in plastic bags or plastic containers? Are you a frequent user of cling wrap? Instead, invest in a few high-quality glass containers and/or jars for your storage needs. You’ll be surprised how much better the food tastes. Reusable containers also increase the length of time you can store it without it degrading.

5. Sustainable Swaps in Everyday Products 

For day-to-day products, small changes can definitely make a difference. Most products you can find at your local grocery store are now offered in recyclable and bio-degradable materials, making it easier to reduce plastic waste. Items such as toothbrushes, cleaning tools, and even safety razors have been created with reusability in mind to limit our usage of single-use plastic.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! 

With some minor changes in our daily routine, we can bring about positive changes for the future of our planet. All it takes is a little awareness, small changes to our daily routine. By making conscious choices , you’ll be protecting the planet and contributing to a greener and cleaner future. How are you reducing your negative environmental impact?