Back in the before-times (pre-COVID-19 pandemic), there was a movement to reduce single-use plastic that had gained traction nationwide. People were making the conscious choice to take reusable bags to the grocery stores, to take their own travel mugs to coffee shops and to avoid plastic straws at eateries. And many businesses were supporting the effort: National coffee chains offered paper straws or cup lids that didn’t require a straw; local coffee shops offered discounts for bringing your own mug; restaurants no longer threw down plastic straws on the table as the default; and stores encouraged shoppers to BYOB — bring your own bag.
And then COVID hit, and reusable items in public venues became a no-no for fear of spreading the coronavirus through contaminated surfaces. As eateries went to take-out, single-use plastics — straws, containers, cutlery and condiment packets — became standard. Stores banned reusable bags. But now that we can see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, maybe it’s time to reconsider the use of plastics again.
To be sure, there are some settings where single-use plastics will still be needed. Certain medical and long-term care facilities require single-use plates, trays, cutlery and condiments that can be thrown away at the end of a meal as part of infection control protocols. We’re sure there are other businesses that are mandated to use disposable materials to protect workers and clients as well, and we are not criticizing them. But there are some ways the rest of us can limit our contribution to the plastics overwhelming our landfills and waterways.
When we order take-out or curbside from an eatery, we can request fewer or no single-use plastic items. If we’re planning to take the food home, there’s no need for plastic utensils, so we can ask that none be provided. (We also probably don’t need that wad of a hundred napkins, either, unless the car stash is running low.) Most of us keep our favorite condiments stocked at home, so we don’t need a dozen packets of ketchup or mustard. And if there is a condiment offered that you don’t already have (like a specialty sauce), ask for only one or two instead of a whole handful. And avoid straws if and when possible. If the restaurant uses plastic containers instead of Styrofoam or cardboard boxes, consider keeping the containers instead of throwing them away. They can be washed and reused many times and are perfect for storing leftovers, packing your lunch or sending food to someone else.
Eating on the go is a different matter. Sometimes you need that plastic fork or those napkins. In those cases, consider asking for only what you know you will use. That will help cut down on excessive waste.
Stores are unlikely to encourage reusable bags anytime soon, so instead be cognizant of what you’re buying that actually needs to be bagged. Gallon of milk that has a handle? Skip the bag. Cardboard case or plastic rings with a built in handle? Skip the bag. You know what you can reasonably carry, so the decision is up to you, but we encourage you to use as few plastic bags as possible.
It’s hard to see beyond the everyday struggles of life in a pandemic, but a post-COVID future awaits us, and we can’t ignore our other problems. So we must do what we can — however small — to ensure the future remains bright.
