Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and a lot of it is unnecessary. Living a plastic-free life means refusing single-use plastics, using non-plastic alternatives, and choosing to reuse and recycle plastic when possible. While it can be challenging to make changes, it is a rewarding journey that benefits the planet. This paragraph will discuss simple ways to practice a plastic-free lifestyle and become a plastic-free household.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toothpaste | Use toothpaste tabs instead of toothpaste gel in plastic tubes |
| Shopping | Use reusable bags, containers, and boxes for carrying groceries |
| Buy from refillable shops and fill your own jars with dry goods | |
| Buy loose produce instead of pre-packaged fruits and vegetables | |
| Use mesh cotton bags to hold supermarket produce | |
| Buy meat wrapped in paper from local butchers | |
| Buy second-hand plastic items | |
| Buy items made from recycled plastic | |
| Repair plastic items instead of buying new ones | |
| Cleaning products | Buy laundry detergents and household products in bulk from sustainable suppliers and local refilleries |
| Use shampoo and conditioner bars | |
| Use a menstrual cup instead of single-use menstrual products | |
| Use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets | |
| Make your own cleaning products | |
| Eating habits | Avoid fast food |
| Make your own cheese, yoghurt, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- Buy groceries in reusable bags, containers and boxes
- Avoid single-use plastics, like straws, tissues, and plastic water bottles
- Use plastic-free alternatives for toiletries, like shampoo bars
- Buy meat and dairy from local butchers and greengrocers, who use paper packaging
- Buy in bulk from sustainable suppliers and refill stores
Buy groceries in reusable bags, containers and boxes
One of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to change the way you shop for groceries. Instead of walking into a store empty-handed, expecting to be provided with packaging, come prepared with your own reusable bags, containers and boxes.
A wide variety of options are available for carrying groceries without using plastic. These include drawstring solid cotton and mesh bags, glass jars in various sizes, rectangular food storage containers, and round metal canisters. You can also use mesh cotton bags to hold supermarket produce together, or leave them loose in your cart.
Local butchers are often accommodating of customers bringing their own reusable containers, and it's a much simpler, less messy process that allows you to put meat directly into the freezer or fridge as soon as you get home.
You can also buy from refillable shops, where you can fill your own jars with dry goods like rice, coffee, and nuts. Some larger stores are starting to offer these options.
If you eat dairy, it's becoming easier to source milk in reusable glass jars. You pay a deposit for the jar and then return it to the retailer when it's empty.
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Avoid single-use plastics, like straws, tissues, and plastic water bottles
The convenience of plastic has blinded us to its impact on the planet. Single-use plastics are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. We often prioritize convenience over durability and consideration of long-term impacts.
Straws, tissues, and plastic water bottles are all examples of single-use plastics that can be avoided with some simple changes. Firstly, invest in a reusable water bottle. This is one of the simplest ways to stay hydrated without contributing to single-use plastic waste. You can also request no straws in your drinks and carry a reusable coffee cup.
When shopping, always pack a reusable bag. You can also use mesh cotton bags to hold supermarket produce together or leave them loose in your cart. Try to avoid pre-packaged fruit and vegetables in plastic and opt for loose produce instead. If you eat meat, buy it from your local butcher and bring your own reusable containers.
For bathroom products, try opting for bars of soap instead of body wash, and consider plastic-free alternatives like solid shampoo or bamboo toothbrushes.
Making these simple changes can help reduce your contribution to the plastic crisis and its negative impact on our health, environment, and climate.
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Use plastic-free alternatives for toiletries, like shampoo bars
Shampoo bars are a great way to reduce plastic waste in your household. They are solid, so you don't have to worry about fitting them into a small plastic bag when travelling, and you don't have to spend time pouring liquid shampoo into a smaller container. Shampoo bars can be stored in a round tin, which is available in stores like Lush, and designed to fit the shampoo bar. One shampoo bar can last for 2-4 months, and it comes with naked packaging, so no more plastic bottles in your bin!
Lush also offers conditioner bars, but if you're unsure about their consistency, you can use coconut oil as a conditioner instead. Melt the coconut oil and spread it on the ends of your hair, washing it out after 15 minutes.
In addition to shampoo bars, there are many other plastic-free toiletries to choose from, including toothpaste tabs instead of toothpaste in plastic tubes, deodorant sticks in cardboard packaging, and lip balm in cardboard packaging. You can also find plastic-free hand sanitiser, which is refillable.
When shopping for toiletries, look for products with naked packaging or no packaging at all. You can also buy from refillable shops, where you can fill your own jars with products like shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Some stores, like The Body Shop in Canada, offer aluminium refillable containers for these types of products.
Small steps, like switching to plastic-free toiletries, can make a big difference in reducing your household's plastic waste.
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Buy meat and dairy from local butchers and greengrocers, who use paper packaging
One of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to change the way you shop for groceries. This includes buying meat and dairy from local butchers and greengrocers who use paper packaging.
Meat is one of the easiest products to buy without plastic packaging. Local butchers are often accommodating of customers who bring their own reusable containers. You can also request that your meat be wrapped in paper, which is a much better alternative to the plastic wrap and Styrofoam commonly used in supermarkets. If you are buying in bulk, you can purchase a partial whole animal that comes wrapped in paper.
Dairy products, on the other hand, can be more challenging to source without plastic. Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are typically packaged in plastic or sold with plastic seals, even in glass bottles. However, there are a few ways to reduce plastic waste when purchasing dairy. Firstly, you can look for independent grocery stores, farm shops, and health food shops, which are more likely to offer plastic-free options. Many supermarkets have deli sections that offer cheese wrapped in paper, and some will even allow you to bring your own containers.
In addition to buying from local butchers and greengrocers, you can also reduce plastic waste by using reusable bags, containers, and boxes when shopping for groceries. This includes mesh cotton bags for produce, glass jars of various sizes, and rectangular food storage containers. By adopting these simple changes, you can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by your household.
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Buy in bulk from sustainable suppliers and refill stores
One of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste is to buy in bulk from sustainable suppliers and refill stores. This reduces the amount of packaging waste generated from frequent purchases of smaller quantities.
When buying in bulk, it is important to bring your own reusable containers, bags, and boxes. Glass jars of various sizes, rectangular food storage containers, and round metal canisters are great options for storing dry goods like rice, coffee, nuts, and cereals. For loose produce, you can use mesh cotton bags or simply leave them loose in your cart.
Some stores, including big-box retailers, now offer refill options for dry goods, allowing you to fill your own jars or containers. Additionally, local butchers and grocers are often accommodating of customers bringing their own containers for meat, cheese, and other products.
For household products like laundry detergent, hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner, you can find refill stores or sustainable suppliers that offer these products in bulk. Some stores even provide refillable containers, such as aluminum containers, which you can wash and refill, reducing plastic waste.
By buying in bulk and supporting sustainable suppliers and refill stores, you can significantly reduce the plastic waste generated in your household.
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Frequently asked questions
Using reusables is the easiest way to become a plastic-free household. Carry a reusable mug, water bottle, cutlery, straw set, and bags. You can also use mesh cotton bags to hold supermarket produce together or leave them loose in the cart.
You can sign up for a food box or CSA program to get plastic-free vegetables. You can also buy meat from your local butcher and ask them to wrap it in paper.
You can use shampoo and conditioner bars instead of plastic bottles. You can also use a menstrual cup instead of single-use menstrual products and dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
You can buy laundry detergents and household products in bulk from sustainable suppliers and local refilleries. You can also make your own cleaning products by adding water to washing detergent, dish soap, and household cleaners.
You can repair plastic items instead of buying new ones, and acquire second-hand plastic items. You can also contact manufacturers, brands, and companies to let them know that you would purchase their products if they used less plastic packaging.
