7 Ways to Replace Plastic with Sustainable Alternatives

Okay let's face it: plastic is literally EVERYWHERE! Because it's a cheap & convenient material, it's become an inevitable part of the human lifestyle. It might make our lives easier temporarily, but it comes at a huge cost to the health of our planet. Luckily for us, the power lies within the consumer! When you decide to purchase a plastic item, you're creating a demand for that product, and you're doing the opposite when you opt for a glass or paper alternative. The first step in going plastic-free is to simply be aware of how much plastic you consume on a day to day basis. Trust us... it's way more than you think! A common misconception about plastic waste is that it's limited to single-use plastics like plastic grocery bags, coffee cups, water bottles, and straws. While these items are still problematic, they aren't the only culprit. What happens to that plastic bottle of hand soap when it runs out? Or that plastic jar of peanut butter that's seemingly impossible to clean? They almost always end up in the trash...for various reasons:

- Someone didn't know it was recyclable, so they tossed it in the trash.

- Someone knew it was recyclable, but they didn't want to clean it out, so they tossed it in the trash (we've all been guilty of this, can't even lie).

- Someone thought it was recyclable, but it wasn't according to their city's rules, so it got tossed in the trash along with the rest of the recycle bin's contents.

In our Recycling 101 post, we talked about how complex recycling can be and how important it is to educate yourself on your city's recycling rules. Even if you're recycling correctly, you're relying on every other person in your city to be doing the same. Unfortunately, that's just not realistic. Just one misrecycled item can send a whole truckload of recycling to the landfill.

We have to stop relying on recycling as an out for plastic consumption. Real change lies within the ability to alter your purchasing behaviors and opt for a more sustainable and longer-lasting item

This is not to say that you shouldn't keep recycling...please do! But when there is a more sustainable alternative available, buy that instead! Glass, for example, is more likely to be repurposed than plastic.

Recycled glass uses 40% less energy than manufacturing new glass, and up to 80% of all recycled glass can be reclaimed. Not all plastic can be recycled. In fact only about 6.8 percent of the total plastic used in the U.S. is actually recycled.

Ways to Make the Switch from Disposable to Sustainable

1. Pay attention to packaging

- Glass jars will become your best friend. Foods like peanut butter, condiments, cooking oils, and salsa can usually be found in glass jars.

- Let go of buying frozen foods. They're either packaged in plastic trays, covered in a plastic film, or sold in cardboard trays that are coated with a plastic lining.

- Rethink your grocery store options. Trader Joe's has some really yummy snacks, but seriously EVERYTHING is wrapped in plastic (sad tear). Find a store with a bulk section or refillable stations. In our sustainable grocery shopping post, we suggest bringing glass jars to the store with you so that you can fill them with things like nuts, dried fruit, and oats. Some grocery stores like co-ops even have refilling stations for laundry detergent, body wash, hand soap, and cooking oils. Check out the links below to find a store near you.

Litterless - A database of zero waste grocery stores around the country

Whole Foods

Co-op

Public Goods (Seattle area)

- Switch to bar soap instead of liquid soap. Soap dispensers are actually less sanitary anyway because they accumulate germs inside the pump.

- Chew on this... did you know gum is made of plastic? Yes...chewing gum...contains plastic. And think about all the wasteful packaging that goes into making it ...maybe just ditch gum all together after hearing this one!

2. Make your own

- Bread is almost always packaged in plastic bags. To avoid this, buy it fresh & wrapped in paper from the grocery store bakery, or make your own with this simple recipe: no-knead artisan bread for busy people

- Fruit juice...if you don't want to invest in a juicer or just don't have the time to make your own, eat fresh whole fruits instead! It's much better for you anyway without all the added sugar & preservatives.

- Learn how to can/pickle veggies in glass jars & dehydrate your own fruit leather

- Lubricant! Coconut oil is a great plastic-free alternative and its natural anti-fungal properties are particularly good for women.

- Bring your own water, utensils, reusable straws, and coffee mug on the road, in the air, and on camping trips

- Nut butter: we explain how to make this here

- Hummus: check out our yummy recipe here

- Household cleaning products: we have a few simple recipes for these in our non-toxic cleaning post

- Stay tuned for more DIY posts from us...we try to have at least one each month!

3. Shop at a Farmer's Market

- Usually, the fresh produce at the farmer's market won't have those pesky plastic stickers on them and they won't be packaged in any plastic netting or bags because you're encouraged to bring your own reusable ones!

- Eggs and berries will often be sold in paper cartons that can be returned and reused each trip

- Other foods that are normally packaged in plastic such as cherry tomatoes, grapes, and leafy greens will be loose.

- Farmer's markets are also the perfect place to find local handmade goods like bar soaps, lip balms, and jewelry.

4. Take good care of what you already have - this one is pretty self-explanatory. If you treat your belongings well and follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer, you won't have to replace things as often! In general, try to buy things that are meant to last longer...

- Glass blenders and sturdy appliances

- Stainless steel razors

- Glass food storage containers instead of plastic Tupperware or Ziploc bags

- Avoid buying non-stick cookware... cookware coated with Teflon gives off toxic perfluorochemicals when heated

- Stainless steel ice cube trays and popsicle molds instead of silicone - Natural rubber gloves rather than disposable latex

5. Establish customer loyalty with brands and stores that support the movement

- Unsubscribe from mailing lists and magazines that you aren't interested in anymore

- If you're an online shopper, take note of how your frequent purchases are being shipped. Do they always come in bubble wrap or plastic bags? Lots of companies are switching over to paper only, and even carbon neutral shipping. Here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly brands when it comes to packaging and shipping!

Skincare & Makeup:

- Biossance

- 100% Pure

- RMS Beauty

Home:

- Dropps laundry detergent & dishwasher pods

- Who Gives a Crap toilet paper

- Bite toothpaste

- Oi biodegradable tampons

- Pela electronics cases

- Dr. Bronner's bar soap

Clothing:

- Girlfriend Collective activewear

- Allbirds

6. Go thrifting and buy second-hand

- Thrift stores have so many hidden gems and they're a great way to keep perfectly useable clothing & household items out of landfills. Aside from shopping, you can also find a store near you and donate items instead of throwing them away.

- It takes massive amounts of water and energy to make new products, plus even more energy to transport them. Buy used when you can!

- Rethink your Christmas tree. Most artificial trees are made from toxic PVC. Opt for a real, sustainably-grown and harvested tree, a live tree that can be planted, or an artificial tree made from natural materials. Oh & avoid buying cheap plastic decor every year!! Select some family favorites instead and establish traditions around them, make them 'heirloom' pieces.

7. Dine-in instead of take-out

- Eating in person at a restaurant (post-COVID-19 of course) will limit the need for plastic containers, bags, and silverware.

- If you do get takeout, let them know that you don't need disposable silverware or a bag!

- Or of course, you can always cook at home :)

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