Want to reduce plastic waste in your home? Take these steps.

Want to know how to limit your plastic waste but don’t know where to start? Use these simple tips to begin.

1. Avoid disposable cups and drinks in plastic bottles

Carry a reusable travel mug or water bottle with you on any outing for your hydration needs.

2. Bring your own reusable bags 

Most plastic bags are used for minutes before being discarded, ending up in landfills, or blown into streams and rivers where they travel to the ocean and are eaten by sea life. End this harmful cycle by bringing a reusable bag with you when you go to the store.

3. Buy in bulk to minimize or eliminate packaging

This goes for food and drink packaging as well as cleaning supplies, toiletries, hardware items — anything that may come packed in plastic. Bonus: the products are usually cheaper and of better quality.

4. Use non-plastic reusable containers for food

This works for lunches, leftovers, freezing, storage, take-out and traveling. Tip: Keep a reusable container in your car that you can use for take-out or leftovers. Take a container when you buy meat, fish or cheese.

5. Use a razor with removable blades

Disposable razors are one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste. Next time, buy a razor with replaceable blades as a cheaper and eco-friendly alternative.

6. Check the labels of toiletries

Did you know some facial scrubs and hygiene products contain tiny plastic beads that can be very harmful to marine life once they are washed off of you and out into the ocean? To avoid this, stay away from anything with “polyethylene” listed as an ingredient.

7. Eliminate plastic straws

Say “I do not need a straw” when ordering a drink at a restaurant or invest in a reusable straw to bring with you when you are craving an iced drink.

8. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap

This one is pretty easy and bar soap won’t cost you any more than soap that comes from a bottle. Also, next time you are at the store check out new shampoo bars.

9. Carry your own non-plastic cutlery

Plastic disposable cutlery and straws are among the worst plastic pollution culprits. Get in the habit of carrying your own cutlery with you and leaving a set in the car.

10. Make your voice heard!

Share what you are doing with friends, family and community. Reach out to your elected officials and ask them to support legislation to reduce plastic waste. You can also take action by urging companies cut cut back on their wasteful use of plastic packaging.