Reduce Plastic Waste as a Green Christian – 20 Simple Steps
On this page we look at the importance of using less plastic in our everyday life and provide possible ways to reduce plastic use as a responsible Christian.
Finding ways of how to reduce plastic waste as a green Christian has become more and more popular recently with the growing concern for environmental issues and press coverage. More Christians are becoming aware of the impact of plastic waste on the environment and looking for ways to reduce plastic use as a responsible Christian, with some people even attempting a Christian life without plastic. We have researched different ways of how to use less plastic as a Christian and have detailed some small steps you can take to reduce plastic waste. So not quite a Christian life without plastic but at least we are heading in the right direction!
A Christian Perspective
- God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a)
- The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15)
After the world was created, God looked on it and acknowledged it was very good. He then set man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. From these two parts of scripture alone we can see Gods desire for the world to be cared for and looked after by humans.
God in all his wisdom already knew that when sin entered the human heart, this desire would get lost with sinful desires of self-centeredness and greed challenging the human mind. Which is probably why Gods desire had been recorded in scripture before the fall when placing man into the Garden of Eden.
Again we see another glimpse of Gods original desire when God moved the Israelites into the Promised Land.
- Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites. (Numbers 35:33-34)
Whilst this passage focuses on the pollution caused by bloodshed, it’s interesting that the word pollution is actually used and that Gods detest of bloodshed is not phrased another way. This points towards Gods dissatisfaction of pollution generally. As pollution and uncaring for the world causes environmental damage, If really investigated could be seen to cause unnecessary death and bloodshed.
Surely these points therefore should urge us to find ways of being more responsible Christians, to encourage us to find ways of taking steps to becoming a green Christian with the desire to satisfy the desires of Gods heart.
On this page we look at steps of how to reduce plastic waste as a green Christian as a small part of responding to this.
Why find ways to reduce plastic use as a responsible Christian
20 Simple but significant tips of how to reduce plastic waste as a green Christian
1. Get your own water bottle and refill for Free!
It’s a no brainer!!! Give up plastic bottled water! They are expensive and do not guarantee better quality water, as a lot of bottled water is simply just filtered tap water! Also some have concerns that the plastic could be leaching chemicals into the water swell. Why not get hold of your own insulated water bottle, and not only save money on free refills but keep your water cooler for longer! Free Refills?? Yes the UK government and many organisation are pushing for free water refills across the UK. There is already a large number of participating places. Find these on the free Refill app https://www.refill.org.uk/get-the-refill-app or at http://tapwater.org/iphone2. Re-use, recycle and even sell your plastic bags
Reuse – Whether you choose a bag for life, reusable canvas totes, your own backpack, or one of our favourites the foldable shopping bag (due to its compactness and easiness to keep with you). Use whatever works for you but remember to reuse! Recycle – A lot of people in the UK still do not realise that plastic bags including bread bags (used for most sliced bread) can actually be recycled! So keep on using them until they break and then recycle them. Most supermarkets and recycling points will have plastic bag recycling points, this is for plastic bags that you can basically stretch. To find out more about local plastic bag recycling points check out https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/plastic-film Sell??? – If you shop for your food and groceries online some supermarkets (Morrisons and Ocado for instance) will actually pay you 5p to return your plastic bags, which is normally credited to your online account for your next shop. Don’t forget to check their T&C online and if other supermarkets are following suit. It is also important to recycle as much other plastic waste and other waste as you can. To find out what gets recycled in your area check out https://www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling3. Get your own reusable cup and save money on your hot drinks!
Most people do not know that a lot of coffee shops will offer a discount on drinks if you use your own re-usable cup. The discount normally averages between 20p and 50p amongst retailers. Below are just a few known stores offering this, but it’s worth asking at any others! (Prices will change from time to time across stores)- Starbucks – 30p off
- Costa – 25p off
- Pret – 50p off
- Leon – 30p off
- Paul – 25p off
- Greggs – 20p off.
- Caffè Nero – double stamps. (you’ll get 2 loyally card stamps instead of one)
- Crosstown Doughnuts – 20p off
- Ground espresso bars – 50p off
4. Replace cling film with re-usable wraps!
Stop using cling film and foil for your packed lunch and instead opt for Beeswax and soy wax reusable wraps. These are not only reusable by biodegradable.5. Consider buying more to save on packaging!
If you can afford it and have the space to store it, then you may notice that buying in larger quantities often does reduce the overall packaging per item or weight. This often also works out cheaper.6. Switch plastic bottled shower gel for a bar of soap!
Generally speaking a bar of soap will last longer, and normally work out cheaper! Make sure you end up buying ones in biodegradable or recyclable packaging.7. Switch plastic bottled shampoo for a shampoo bar!
Another great but simple step is to switch from bottled shampoo to shampoo bars. This has already proven to be a massive hit among many, with some saying that this actually does save money.8. Switch plastic bottled hair conditioner for a conditioner bar!
Again don’t forget to make the switch from bottled conditioner to conditioner bars.9. Say no to plastic drinking straws!
Plastic drinking straws are a significant contributor to plastic waste. If you are at a restaurant and don’t need to use a straw, then just tell them when ordering. If you do need a straw then some places will have biodegradable straws. If you use straws at home why not look at using stainless steel straws which are both reusable and dishwasher safe (although you may still want to rinse them after).10. Don’t us plastic cutlery, carry your own!
Most of us do not like eating with plastic cutlery anyway! So why not scrap it altogether and take a set with you. If you are uncomfortable with carrying metal knife, folks and spoons around with you then why not consider a bamboo cutlery set.11. Use Natural Rubber Gloves!
If and when you need to buy rubber gloves, opt for gloves that are plastic free and better for the environment. Check out the “if you care range” for a great environmentally friendly and plastic free option.12. When ordering pizza, say “no” to the little plastic “table”!
That little plastic table in the middle of the pizza box is called a “package saver.” It is supposed to keep the cheese from sticking to the top of the pizza box, but rarely does! When ordering pizza just ask for the pizza company to not put the little white plastic thing in the middle of the pizza!13. Go plastic free with your bread!
Whilst these plastic bags can be recycled as detailed in point 2. Why not cut out the plastic bag altogether and buy fresh bread that comes in either a paper bag or with no bag. As plastic bread bags are only used to keep sliced bread as airtight as possible to keep them fresh longer. Why not learn a lesson from the good old days. Buy the bread unsliced, keep it in a cloth bag and place it in an airtight container when home!14. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles!
You may not realize but many areas still do have local dairies that provide milk in returnable glass bottles rather than plastic or plastic-coated cardboard (That’s right, all cardboard milk containers are coated both inside and out with plastic). So why not opt back to the milk in glass bottles being delivered to your door. Whilst this is usually more expensive than buying milk in plastic bottles, think about the environment and the reduction in plastic waste!15. Choose toilet paper that’s not packaged in plastic!
Toilet paper often comes packaged in plastic wrapping to keep the toilet paper clean, however this often cannot be recycled. Look for brands such as Who Gives a Crap which comes packaged in paper-wrapped rolls. So plastic free! The who gives a crap company really do care. They offering a choice of recycled paper or organic bamboo option. The company also gives away 50% of its profits to build toilets and sanitation in developing countries! Our staff found the deluxe paper is well worth the extra money!16. Use plastic-free feminine hygiene products!
Obviously this suggestion will only be useful for females. Whilst disposable single use hygiene products are easy, most of them are not sustainable. Why not look for a more sustainable version such as NatraCare disposable products – The tampons are 100% certified organic, are made from unbleached cotton and come either made with or without biodegradable card applicators. The pads and liners are also plastic free and compostable. The other alternative is to go completely green with no disposable waste by using washable re-usable pads!17. Avoid getting a receipt when you can!
Some receipts are coated in a thin layer of plastic that makes them unrecyclable, so why not cut down on or cut out receipts all together!18. Avoid fruit and veg with plastic wrapping!
A lot of fruit and veg is now wrapped in plastic, to keep it fresh longer and allow a longer distribution process to the end shop. However you can still find fresh fruit and veg that is not wrapped in plastic. Buy these instead! Also try not to use the small plastic bags in the fruit and veg section if it can be avoided (although these can be recycled as explained in point 2). If you do really need a bag, perhaps look for one of the paper bags that are designed for mushrooms.19. Review your Razor!
Disposable razors remain a very popular razor option, however for disposable razors to be recycled, they first need the blade removed, often resulting in these not being recycled due to the cost outweighing the benefit in the recycling plant. Razors with replaceable blades provide a slightly better option as you only end up throwing the small blade cartridge rather than the whole razor, a good alternative to disposable razors. Straight razors have to be acknowledge as the most environmentally friendly option however, as you do not have any parts to throw away. These do whoever take a bit more skill and care, so best to avoid shaving when young children running around!20. Switch to cloth flannels or reusable wipes!
Wipes are useful for a lot of things, whether it is baby wipes, surface wipes or the cleansing wipes. Most of these wipes not only come packaged in plastic packaging but a lot still are not biodegradable. Why not consider switching to cloth reusable wipes. Which after the initial cost becomes a much cheaper and greener option!
We hope that you have found this page useful and that you feel more educated of how to reduce plastic waste as a green Christian or for some useful steps forward in to an attempt to live a Christian life without plastic
We do pray that you are able to apply some of these steps and start making a difference. If you do not feel able to implement any of these now, why not sign up to our monthly reducing plastic waste recommendation emails monthly reducing plastic waste recommendation emails to provide you some extra encouragement and reminders!
If this page has inspired you, then please share this page with others on social media or email to your friends and family!