This year, I personally decided to take the plunge, and try and give up as much plastic as possible. My reasonings to use less plastic in my life is a personal one. I don't look down on people when we are in a store together and I tell the cashier that I don't need a bag and they are right behind me saying that they do. My reasonings have nothing to do with me believing that we need to "save the earth" by using less plastic-I do believe it is a way we can be stewards of the earth though.

Plastic does it a bad wrap, and it should. It is garbage, and even recyclable plastics don't ever go anywhere. They create much of the trash and litter here in this earth! Like I said earlier, I don't judge anybody for grabbing or using a plastic bag, I even use them on occasion. It is mostly a personal challenge I wanted to try- and i LOVE it.

One reason that I love about using reusable plastic bags in comparison to plastic, is that it is WAY more cost efficient. All a person has to do is buy reusable bags once, whereas people may have some uses for plastic bags- at the end of the day, they end up in the trash.

Reusable bags are multi-purpose. I have used these bags for so much. Groceries are probably the number one thing that I fill them with. I have used them for an extra bag on a trip, a tote for the beach, or something to hold a bunch of loose items in the car. Feel free to bring them anywhere- if they get dirty, all you gotta do is wash them. Also, don't you just love the neat collection of different bags?

There was this one area that I was consuming so much trash and plastic bags- that is the produce section. I eat a bunch of vegetables and fruit, but they alway have to be put in the thin green produce bags. These bags always frustrated me, not only was I left with a huge pile of trash, I was also left with fast rotting food if they were left in there too long. Here is the amazing solution that I found. Reusable produce bags- life changing if I do say so myself. These produce bags are a thin mesh with a draw string. I have a few different sizes and styles, but all seem to have the same tear weight as a normal plastic bag would have. These not only save me from having a bunch of worthless trash, but it also keeps my fruits and veggies EXTREMELY fresh. Now who doesn't want that? Also again, if they get stains or stinky, throw them in with your wash.

They even make super little ones like the one I have pictured above. Another awesome use for these is that you can use them in bulk! (which normally saves even more money and trash).

One last way I use to accumulate less trash, is I use jars to store my food.

These are great for bulk shopping and keeping food fresh. Just make sure you know the tear of the jars to help out the cashier.

I definitly by no means live a plastic free life. I still consume plastic, and by products that have some sort of waste or plastic on their packaging. I do hope though that this inspires, and brings and awareness to people. It can be very simple, and even fun to do. I enjoy having less trash, as well as producing less trash- so next time you come across a bunch of free tote bags- grab them!