HABITS// Make it Easy to Quit Single-use Plastics

Hand holding a stainless steel reusable insulated travel mug by Yeti against a white backdrop. Life Made Light. Photography by Leah Williams

Ocean Wise has a super cool online pledge campaign #beoceanwise. Once a week they send an email about a specific way you can reduce your plastic consumption. Their first campaign challenged you to bring your own reusable mug. Did you know that 2.6 MILLION single-use beverage containers go to Vancouver landfills every WEEK?

Breaking habits is difficult, but it’s totally possible.

A lot of the time it means getting really honest with yourself, accepting that you may need something specific to make a real change. The first step can be figuring out what’s best suited to who you are. Maybe you need a mug that’s visually stunning, a certain size, utilitarian, or free/used. We have to be flexible and compassionate with ourselves if we really want to change how we live. Mastering one thing and experiencing that accomplishment can help you build confidence, creating a positive momentum. Ask yourself: what will make this work for me, with who I am today?

I think that a great way to go about this is to find a reusable mug that IMPROVES your experience, and in comparison, makes the single-use cup undesirable. This travel mug by Yeti is a great example. It’s insulated for both hot and cold, so drinks last longer than with a disposable. My hands don’t get cold holding it, and because it’s stainless steel it doesn’t break when I drop it (high priority). AND it’s lightweight, so tucking it into my bag is no big deal. You replace the unwanted habit with something WAY better (added benefits).

What worked for me with establishing this habit was to set a firm rule, refusing to take a disposable cup, EVER. When you end up having to go without because you keep forgetting your own mug, eventually you won’t forget, because it kind of sucks. For me, this is what actually turned the habit into a daily practice- the going without.

It isn’t always environmental impact, as much as we may wish it were, that makes something maintainable long term. What can really make the habit stick is how the new practice improves your life, adds peace of mind, or helps you move through your day, creating ease and pleasure.

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