7 Common Items Found in a Trash Clean Ups and their Alternatives

In 2018, the total generation of municipal solid waste in the United States was 292.4 million tons or 4.9 pounds per person per day. Unfortunately, not all of that makes it into the proper garbage bins. Some trash makes its way into waterways, neighborhood parks, and even our backyards. So this month, we’re challenging you to get out in your community and pick up some trash.

5 Simple Ways to Get Out and Help:

• Volunteer With a Local Organization: Join an existing clean-up in your local area.
• Clean Up Your Neighborhood: Take a walk through your community and see what you can find.
• Host a Community Clean-up: Organize your own clean-up with neighbors and friends.
• Clean Up a Local Hot Spot: Visit heavily trafficked beaches, hiking trails, and parks, and pick up trash.
• Support Causes That Clean Up: Search online for causes leading clean-ups. Our favorite—Players for the Planet!
• Reduce Your Consumption. Try one of these 7 alternatives to everyday items commonly found in trash clean-ups.

7 Common Items Found in Trash Clean-Ups and Their Substitutes

(Top 10 Source: Ocean Conservancy)

Cigarette Butts: We don’t have much of an alternative to this one, but if you smoke, don’t flick your butt! Place it in a proper trash can.

Food Wrappers: ~888,000 food wrappers are found littering our coastlines every year. Buying bulk and taking snacks with you in reusable containers is an excellent substitute for single-use food wrappers. Kindhumans favorites: Stasher Bags, Bee’s Wrap, ECOlunchbox.

Plastic Beverage Bottles: Using a reusable bottle such as our One for One or Kindhumans bottle is your best option, but if you find yourself in a bind and need to purchase single-use, there are a lot of alternatives these days, such as aluminum can options like Liquid Death or Mananalu or glass bottles.

Plastic Bottle Caps: This one speaks for itself. If fewer plastic beverage bottles were consumed and disposed of, we would inevitably have fewer plastic bottle caps floating around.

Plastic Grocery Bags: Did you know that it takes more than 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill? Why not try and keep them out of landfills and open areas and opt for reusable bags?

Straws/Stirrers: More than 400,000 plastic, single-use straws end up in our oceans and litter our coastlines, so let’s try and ditch the straw altogether. Or you can opt for a glass or stainless steel option.

Plastic Take-out Containers: Taking home your leftover food is better than throwing it away, but there are better alternatives to traditional take-out boxes they give you at restaurants. If you know you’re going out to eat, try to bring your own take-it-to-go box. Oh, and don’t forget your reusable silverware! Kindhumans tip: Always have your Take It to Go Bag with you, so if you are in a rush, you have it ready.

Ultimately, we have a lot of power to reduce our trash when we become more aware of our daily usage of products. Start with one swap and try to progress into a more minimal-waste lifestyle. It also won’t hurt to get on a monthly routine to pick up trash so you and others can enjoy the beautiful places surrounding us.