It can be extremely difficult to change your everyday habits once you get used to something. If you have kids, it can be even harder. Typically, we tend to gravitate towards things that are the easiest and most convenient. Problem is, small convenient habits could actually be harming our environment. For example, plastic is everywhere that you look. Not many people realize that our overuse of plastic is harming ocean life and the environment. Even the smallest changes can make a difference, and your family could easily make a change starting today.

Ditch The Plastic Bags

Whenever you take a trip to the grocery store, chances are you return home with at least 10 plastic bags. As you unpack the food, they pile up in the corner and you toss them in the trash can when you’re done. Sound familiar? It is often a case of out of sight, out of mind. But, that short 5-minute habit can be very harmful to our world. Once they leave your house, they can get into the soil and slowly release toxic chemicals. The bags can break apart into smaller pieces, which can result in animals mistaking them as food. The animal can then choke and die from ingesting the bags.

A small change that you and your family can make is purchase and use reusable grocery bags. They can be very inexpensive and easy to get your hands on. Whenever you are running into the store for your weekly or monthly, just grab your reusable bags out of your car and toss them into your cart. Using reusable bags are more sturdy than plastic bags as well, so no more worries about a bag ripping and your groceries hitting the ground!

Metal Straws Are The Way To Go

Have you heard on the news about a plastic straw ban? There is a reason for that. Little plastic straws is an unnoticed everyday item that are causing issues for our environment. Cities all over the world are beginning to ban plastic straws because over 91% of plastics end up in landfills and the ocean. Due to the size of straws, they are not typically recycled. Straws can cause major harm to the world’s ocean life. A viral video surfaced of a sea turtle with a straw stuck in the nose. Why cause so much pain and pollution when there are other options?

Metal Straws are easily accessible and now can be purchased in many stores throughout the world. They come in packs that often include straw cleaners and multiple straws. If you have children, they come in adorable designs and colors that they will love! Just toss the metal straws into your bag, and use them in place of a normal plastic straw. That simple change could save so many sea creatures and wildlife.  

Plastic Bottles? No Thanks

We all know someone that constantly has empty water bottles scattered throughout their cars, offices, or bedrooms. That person may even be you! It is so easy to grab a water out of the fridge and go, but that 5 second decision is hurting the world around you.

Instead, run out a buy a reusable metal bottle and a water filter. Fill up your bottle the night before you have the head out so that you can just grab it in the morning. Metal bottles also are able to keep your drink colder for a lot longer. Many bottles nowadays have adorable designs, quotes, and pictures. Who doesn’t love that?

It can be difficult to get into a new routine of things, and change can be difficult. But, it only takes 21 days to form a new habit. Just stick to the new life changes, and you will be doing them in no time. Make sure you tell your friends and encourage them to cut back on their plastic waste as well. One person can make a dramatic change! We all need to join forces to help clean up this world that we call home. After all, it is the only one that we got!