Wanna help the Earth and its oceans? Grab an ice cream cone! Seriously, stuff like plastic spoons for ice cream makes up over 40% of plastic waste. Every year, about 8.8 million tons of plastic trash ends up in the ocean. And that’s bad news for animals. But the fix might be as easy as getting your ice cream in a cone. Check out these quick tips to cut down on your plastic waste!
Fill Up a Reusable Bottle
Instead of using a plastic bottle, drink from a bottle you can use again. That way, you won’t add to the almost one million plastic bottles sold every minute worldwide.
Use Better Bags
Put your sandwiches and snacks in containers or cloth bags instead of plastic ones. You can even make your own cloth bags!
Skip the Straws
Straws can be mistaken for food by animals, making them sick. Carry a paper straw or one you can use again. You can learn to make a paper straw yourself!
Go for Homemade Goodie Bags
When making goodie bags for birthdays, forget plastic toys like yo-yos. Give your friends homemade treats or coupons for a local bakery.
Choose Cones
No matter what flavor you like, go for ice cream in a cone. Why use plastic spoons and cups when you can eat the whole thing?
Buy in Bulk
Ask your family to shop for snacks, cereal, and pasta from the bulk section at the store. That way, you avoid plastic packaging. Put everything in reusable glass jars.
Snack on Fruit
Instead of packed snacks, take an apple, banana, or orange. It’s healthy and there’s no extra packaging. You can toss the core, peels, and rinds in a compost bin.
Say No to Microbeads
Avoid face wash or toothpaste with tiny plastic beads (look for polyethylene or polypropylene in the ingredients). These beads go down the drain and end up in water, where fish and turtles might eat them by mistake.
Never Litter
It’s okay to use plastic sometimes, but recycle what you can and never leave it outside. Trash on the ground can blow into rivers and oceans.
Clean Up Around
You Get together with a grown-up and pick up trash from your local creek or river. Be careful, though—don’t touch anything sharp. Here’s how you can organize your own neighborhood cleanup.
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FAQs
- How can eating ice cream in a cone help the environment?
It’s surprising but true! Plastic items like ice cream spoons add up to a big part of plastic waste. By choosing a cone, you’re cutting down on plastic use.
- How bad is plastic waste in the ocean?
Plastic trash, around 8.8 million tons every year, flows into the ocean. This is a serious problem for marine life and the environment.
- What are some simple ways to cut down on plastic use?
We’ve got some easy tips! Use a reusable water bottle, skip plastic bags for snacks, say no to plastic straws, and more. Little changes can make a big difference.
- Why is using reusable containers important?
Instead of plastic bags, use containers or cloth bags. This helps reduce plastic waste and keeps things fresh.
