Do a Single-Use-Plastic Home Waste Audit

Photo credit: Magda Ehlers on Pexels

Your mission

Be a household leader by helping your family adopt more sustainable habits.

Time Commitment: 5 Hours

Range of Impact: Home

Why this Action is impactful

Our homes are a great place to start confronting our throw-away culture. Whether it’s making a few tweaks, or a complete overhaul, there are opportunities to be less wasteful, make your home healthier and even save some money while you’re at it.

What to know before getting started

Back in the 1950’s, disposable single-use plastic items were first introduced into mainstream culture. They were marketed to people who were accustomed to using reusables, and who rarely threw anything away! Now, we’re so used to throwing stuff away, we don’t think twice about it. But is the convenience worth the consequences for the health of our planet and our communities?

What to do

Find out how much single-use plastics you or your household uses!  Each day for 5 days, collect and count the single-use plastics used. Print this datasheet to see what kinds of single-use plastics to collect, and to record your results.

1. Before the first day of the audit, dedicate a bin or cardboard box to collect your single use plastics each day. Place it in a convenient place, like next to the kitchen trashcan. Teach everyone in your household who will participate in the challenge how they can help you by showing them what single-use plastics are and explaining how to participate. 
2. At the end of each of day, lay out all the items and take a picture. Next, sort everything into the categories on the datasheet. Count how many items are in each category and write the totals on the datasheet.
3. At the end of the week, sum the totals of each category to find which 2 items you use most as a family. Hold a family discussion to brainstorm how your household could build new habits around reusable alternatives for your top 2 single use plastic items. 

Tips and suggestions

How to do an audit: 

• Set a bin, cardboard box in a common area of your home or next to the trashcan where everyone can place their single use items. 
• Rinse off or clean any food-soiled or dirty items before putting them in the collection spot. 
• After you tally your items at the end of each day, dispose of them properly in the recycling or trash (or prepare them for reuse).

Get creative about what reusables you could replace your single-use stuff with. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• To replace single use water-bottles: perhaps install a water filter or use a water-filter pitcher if you don’t like the flavor of your tap water. Make it fun by personalizing each person’s reusable bottle so you can tell them apart. 
• To replace disposable cutlery, plates, cups etc: check out second hand stores like Goodwill to find affordable high quality reusable kitchen and food ware. 
• To replace single use plastic bags: reusable cloth bags last a long time. Many can be put in the laundry if they get dirty. 

Track your contribution

To submit your work and get recognized for your contribution to your community, complete the form below. If we approve your submission, you’ll be awarded 5 Hours.

  AI Stoplight: Red (AI not allowed) for datasheet and photos. Yellow (Ok for ideation, proofing, research) for reflection, discussion. 

Make sure all photos are taken in good light and in focus.

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