Guest Post: Filter Out Your Plastic Use

Most people with even the slightest green instinct already know that it’s a good idea to recycle plastic bottles. But have you ever considered whether you could also reduce the amount of plastic you buy? Even when you recycle, the process is not very efficient and requires natural resources, including oil, so you aren’t helping the environment as much as possible. Eighty percent of plastic bottles sold end up in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to even start to decompose! With over 3 million tons of plastic used each year to bottle water around the world, it’s time for each of us to make a few small changes to get away from bottled water.

Water Filtration Solutions

When you would prefer to not drink tap water, it’s time to start filtering water instead. You get clean water that costs less than bottled water, so everybody’s happy. There are plenty of types of filters to choose from, including pitcher filters, a countertop filtration system and a refrigerator water filter installed directly to your refrigerator. The best part is that these filters last for months at a time which significantly decreases the amount of waste you’re producing and helps protect the environment.

Reusable Water Bottles

Once you have a filtration system established, it’s easy to drink the water at home, but what about when you’re on the go? That’s when reusable water bottles come into play. Rather than taking disposable water bottles with you, invest in a few durable, safe, reusable ones. Nalgene bottles are now BPA-free and come in many sizes and styles, with an attached lid that most people love because it’s hard to lose and makes a handy loop for holding the bottle. Stainless steel water bottles are another popular option, and they are very durable. You can even get bottles with built-in filters so you can refill them wherever you are and drink clean water everywhere – all without having to buy plastic bottles.

Significant Environmental Impact

The small steps you put into place today to filter out your plastic use can add up to a big impact down the road. By reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills, you’re protecting the earth for future generations. And remember, even when you recycle plastic, it usually gets down-cycled into other products that eventually end up in the landfill themselves. So break your water bottle habit and filter water yourself. The fish living near the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch will thank you!