Most people can agree that helping the environment is a process that can take time. People must take action to preserve resources like clean air, water, and wildlife for future generations, but where can they start?

As consumers, we utilize a range of beauty products in our daily lives, whether it's makeup, skincare, or haircare. Once these things have been used up, what do we typically do? Throw them in the trash. However, most products are typically disposed of improperly. 

Recycling conserves energy, reduces air and water pollution, limits greenhouse gasses, and decreases the number of products taken to landfills. And the great thing about recycling: You can throw your plastics in blue bins and continue with your day. Even though recycling seems easy and efficient, how come so many plastic products end up in a landfill instead?

Do you know where your clothes come from and the materials used in them? Fashion has long since used clothing labels to share important information about the product—information that usually just helps to decide whether to throw it in the wash or send it to a dry cleaner. But for environmentally-conscious shoppers, the materials listed on the label tell a much more important story.

You may have noticed that quarantine-cuisine and to-go coffee orders come with a lot of plastic utensils, single-use straws, and styrofoam containers. What were once sustainability sins are now quarantine commonplace as we navigate the realities of COVID-19. 

Efforts to reduce plastic consumption do not need to go out the window. There are still plenty of things you can do to reduce your own plastic intake and spread the socially-distant word to your friends and family. Here are a few ideas to get you started.