Household plastic waste contributes approximately 40-50% of total plastic waste in Indonesia. By adopting simple habits, every family can reduce their use of single-use plastic by up to 70%. Here are 15 practical tips you can start today.
Why Reduce Plastic at Home?
Single-use plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, pollutes the soil and oceans, and poses a health risk through microplastics. Reducing plastic is not just a trend, but a necessity for future generations.
Plastic-Free Shopping Tips
- Bring your own cloth shopping bag or shopping cart.
- Choose products with paper, cardboard, or glass packaging.
- Buy vegetables and fruit at traditional markets without plastic bags.
- Use cloth bags to buy rice, sugar, or spices.
- Avoid buying bottled water; replace it with refillable bottles.
Kitchen and Food Tips
- Store food in glass or stainless steel containers.
- Use beeswax wrap or waxed cloth instead of plastic wrap.
- Make your own food supplies instead of buying ready-to-eat packages.
- Replace plastic straws with stainless steel or bamboo straws.
- Use dishwashing sponges made from natural fibers, not synthetic sponges.
Self-Care and Household Tips
- Choose a bamboo toothbrush and bar soap instead of pump bottles.
- Use crystal deodorant or bar soap.
- Wash clothes in cold water to reduce microfiber shedding.
- Replace disposable pads with menstrual cups or cloth pads.
- Use artificial wet wipes. Make your own from used fabric
Benefits You Will Experience
- Save household expenses up to IDR 200,000-500,000 per month
- A tidier home with less waste
- A healthier family because they avoid plastic chemicals
- Help save Indonesia’s oceans from plastic pollution
Start with just one or two tips, then add more gradually. In 3-6 months, you’ll get used to living with minimal plastic without feeling deprived.
