It is no secret that plastic is a problem for the planet. We are all aware of the issues associated with it. The polluted oceans, suffering wildlife, the harm caused to the ecosystem, the fact that plastic takes years to decompose – the list goes on.
Understanding a problem is essential to solving it. However, in the case of plastic, we need to acknowledge is that ‘we’ are all part of this problem, and ‘we’ need to work together to solve it. All of us have a daily routine, and most of it involves the use of plastics in one way or the other. For instance, we could be using a plastic toothbrush in the bathroom or a cling wrap in the kitchen.
So the question we need to ask ourselves is – Can we live plastic-free?
Of course, we can! It is not an overnight change, but we can easily reduce our plastic footprint by making mindful shopping decisions and introducing some eco-friendly swaps in our lives!
So, to help you along your sustainable journey, here’s a list of some easy sustainable swaps to live plastic-free.
Sustainable Swaps For A Plastic-Free Kitchen
We know it sounds daunting. And if you currently have a plastic-filled kitchen, it may seem a little overwhelming to change it all. But, we promise that switching your kitchen to a plastic-free (or mostly plastic-free) space is not as hard as you think. It’s merely a matter of swapping things out for sustainable alternatives. Here are some eco-friendly swaps to get you started:
1. From groceries to grains to leftovers, storing food items correctly is essential for your kitchen. Swap plastic storage containers with reuseable containers (stainless steel or glass). They are safer alternatives than plastic containers.
2. Another one of the easy sustainable swaps for a plastic-free kitchen is to skip plastic zip lock bags for reusable silicone ones instead. Not only are they better for the environment, but they are also durable and microwave safe as well.
3. Instead of using plastic wrap, try using reusable beeswax wraps. It’s a better and more sustainable alternative as it is compostable, lasts longer, and you can wash and reuse it too.
4. Similarly, opt for produce bags or reusable air-tight containers (steel or glass ones) to store vegetables and fruits in your fridge. You can use the same containers to freeze leftovers as well. Another significant sustainable swap for your fridge are ice trays. Swap the plastic ones with silicone ice trays.
5. Did you know your teabag has plastic in it? Studies show that plastic teabags can release small plastic particles in your brew. So, it’s best to invest in reusable tea bags that aren’t toxic and can be easily washed and reused.
6. Cooking utensils are typically made from, or coated with plastic, which is terrible for the environment and your health. Instead, swap these utensils with stainless steel utensils, which are more heat resistant and won’t leach chemicals into your food.
7. Swap plastic dish brushes with sustainable alternatives like wooden dish brushes. These brushes are made from beechwood and natural Tampico fibers. They are plant-based, biodegradable, and of course, perfect for your plastic-free kitchen. Similarly, skip the plastic sponges and go for walnut scrubbers. These scrubbers are made from walnut shells. Make these biodegradable, compostable, and plastic-free sustainable swaps for sponges and scrubbers, today.
8. Cleaning products often come in single-use plastic bottles and contain chemicals like bleach, which can be harsh on your home and the environment. Instead, use natural alternatives or make your own cleaning products with ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice to clean your kitchen surfaces.
Eco-Friendly Swaps For A Plastic-Free Bathroom
It’s easy to forget about the bathroom when it comes to going plastic-free. We go, get clean, and move on with our day. But, if you take a moment to think about it, there are tons of plastic in our bathrooms — from the toothbrushes, we use to the face wash and shampoo containers in our shower.
The good news is that there are plenty of sustainable swaps for a plastic-free bathroom. Scroll through these eco-friendly swaps below to upgrade your bathroom!
1. The very first sustainable swap has got to be sustainable dental products. A bamboo toothbrush is way better for your health and for the planet when compared to a plastic toothbrush.
2. We certainly cannot skip the toothpaste when talking about eco-friendly swaps for your bathroom. So, next on the list are toothpaste tablets or tooth powder over that conventional toothpaste tube, which comes in plastic packaging.
3. Talking about dental products, did you know, you can even swap dental floss with organic floss and mouthwash with mouthwash tablets? This way, you can definitely avoid their plastic packaging. Also, just like toothpaste tablets, these mouthwash tablets are solid – which makes them spill-proof and travel-friendly!
4. Conventional body soap, shampoo, and conditioner bottles not just have plastic in the packaging; but sometimes as an ingredient (microbeads) too. This is not good for our health or the environment. So, next on this list of easy eco-friendly swaps for a plastic-free bathroom is – swapping the conventional products with natural soap bars, and shampoo and conditioner bars.
5. A bath scrubber is another bathroom essential that is commonly made of plastic. So, swap it with an eco-friendly loofah. You can easily get a variety of eco-friendly loofahs instead of plastic ones on your next shopping run. This is one of the most affordable sustainable swaps on our list.
6. Talking about a plastic-free bathroom, do not forget your laundry supplies. All of us use plastic pegs for washing. Next time you need one, we suggest you skip the plastic ones and look for metal pegs. Also, you can swap your detergent for detergent strips that are plastic and toxin-free. Such sustainable swaps are definitely more durable and will also help you take a small step towards a plastic-free life.
7. Even though air-drying is the most eco-friendly option, some of us still need to use a dryer for drying our clothes due to a lack of space. In such cases, we suggest you swap the conventional dryer balls for plastic-free wool dryer balls.
8. One of the biggest issues in ocean plastic pollution is how synthetic fibers like polyester are not biodegradable. They can be washed into the sea, where they will eventually break down into microplastics. So, the last one on our list of eco-friendly swaps is ocean-friendly wash bags. These bags catch any tiny bits of synthetic clothing during the wash cycle so that you don’t end up with microplastic washing away or settling on the clothes you wear.
In the end, there are a lot of easy sustainable swaps to live plastic-free This list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your own in the comments below! To live a more sustainable, plastic-free life, it’s simply a matter of taking everything you’ve learned here and applying it to your own life.
You’ve started on this journey to find ways to live more consciously, so follow through. Continue to be creative, think outside the box, and seek out those sustainable swaps that work best in your home.
Here’s to choosing consciously and living guilt-free! ☘️
