The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating mass of plastic debris twice the size of Texas, is just one of the many reasons that the world can benefit from every single small action we can take to reduce plastic consumption.

Here are five easy ways you can cut back on plastic starting today:

  1. Carry and use cloth or string bags. Keep a couple of these in your purse, your glove compartment, your briefcase, and get in the habit of using them instead of plastic grocery bags.
  2. Switch from liquid laundry detergent in plastic bottles to powdered detergent in cardboard boxes and check out these alternatives to liquid fabric softener.
  3. Instead of buying bottled water, carry a stainless steel water bottle and refill it with tap water.
  4. Buy whole food, local food, and bulk food to cut back on unnecessary packaging. Grow a garden, join a CSA, or shop at a local farmers market instead of buying prewashed veggies in plastic bags — reduces your carbon footprint too!
  5. Refill your empty Windex bottles with homemade glass cleaner (made from equal parts tap water and vinegar sold in glass bottles).

This post is part of SustainaBee’s Blog Carnival, Small Actions to Change the World.