This article was authored by Dr. Karen Ward, Chief Veterinary Officer at Toronto Humane Society, and was initially published for the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, where Dr. Ward serves on the Sustainability Committee.

The dirty little secret of so-called recyclable plastic is that most of it isn’t, regardless of what the container says.  The recycling rate for plastic is estimated to be only 5-6%, making our efforts to put plastics in the blue bins less recycling and more wishcycling. The majority of plastics cannot be recycled – they never have been and never will be.

Most plastic ends up in landfills or as litter and breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics that pollute rivers and lakes, soils, and even the deep ocean, making its way up the food chain back to animals and people.

Focus on One Routine, Then Move to Another

It might be impractical, or impossible to eliminate plastic from your life, but even small changes can make a difference. An incremental big picture approach, reducing or replacing one plastic go-to before replacing another may be easier to stick with and build upon.  Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

Start with one routine or habit, maybe your daily iced coffee, or maybe something less obvious.

For example, if you buy new clothes seasonally, only to donate the following year, buying less polyester clothing and keeping what you do have for longer will reduce your plastic waste.  Polyester is spun from plastic (and sheds microplastics), and most fast-fashion polyester clothing ends up in landfill.

Reuse, Don’t Rebuy

Reusable bags, bottles and other items can help reduce plastic waste, but only if you use them often and for as long as possible.  Collecting multiples of reusable items only increases your carbon footprint.

Consider if You Need It

Much of the disposable plastic stuff in our lives is more habit than need.  You may be able to do without, or find new, less wasteful alternatives to comforting standbys like plastic liners for every trash bin, bleach pens or air fresheners.

Group Your Purchases

If you regularly order online, grouping purchases and opting for slower delivery reduces your environmental impact overall, including cutting back on films, bubble wrapping, Styrofoam fillers and other plastic flotsam.  The majority of global plastic production goes into packaging.

Cook More, Order in Less

Cooking from scratch is one of the simplest ways to reduce the amount of single use plastic you’re tossing (and might also reduce your exposure to forever chemicals).  Alternatively, my local restaurants allow me to use my own reusable containers for take-out (or leftovers).

Pack a Shopping Bag

Keep a tote bag in your jacket pocket or purse, or your car or bicycle pannier.  Small reusable produce bags can replace plastic bags in stores.

Go Bulk and Refillable

Many dry groceries such as dried fruits, nuts and grains can be purchased in bulk and placed into your own reusable containers. Some cities also have zero-waste stores, one stop shopping for everything from olive oil to shampoos, detergents and soaps.  A quick online search will have you on your way.

Try Solid or Powdered Versions of Liquids

Solid and powdered forms of hand soaps, shampoos, conditioners and detergents often come in plastic-free packaging and are another way to reduce your plastic empties.

Brew at Home

Making your coffee or tea at home not only saves you money, but it can also reduce your waste.  Paper cups might seem recyclable, but they actually have plastic linings to prevent leaking.  Our disposable single use cup of morning java has significant ecological and social costs.

Pack a To-Go Mug and Water Bottle

If you prefer your local barista’s coffee, try packing a travel mug.  And to quench your thirst and stay hydrated on the go, carrying a reusable water bottle with you is a great habit to start.

Quit or Cut Back on Smoking

We won’t judge you for smoking, but cigarette butts are a huge source of plastic litter in the environment.  They are the most discarded waste item worldwide, accounting for approximately 766.6 million kilograms of toxic trash each year. They are the most common plastic litter on beaches, contaminating vulnerable marine ecosystems with microplastics.

The global plastic pollution problem isn’t just on individuals alone.  But we all contribute to this problem, and we can all make a difference.