Recently, I became very aware of how much plastic is being used in the world. I realized this when I was thinking about how much I personally use, felt good about it, then opened the fridge and realized that every condiment was in a plastic bottle. Horrified, I went around the apartment looking for plastic I may have missed. Oh, boy was there a lot. I’m talking shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, 90% of my beauty products, all vitamin bottles, pantry items like granola, chips, spice jars, peanut butter, honey. The shame kept building the more I found. So, today, I’ve come up with EASY ways to use less plastic.
I encourage you take stock of how much plastic you use in your home. I guarantee it will be much, much more than you originally thought. Take me, for example, we use glass tupperware instead of plastic, we bring reusable bags to the grocery store, I try (as hard as I can) to not use plastic baggies, I use reusable plastic lids to cover food instead of plastic wrap. I even re-purpose plastic jars for my painting needs. I have an electric toothbrush, so when I need a new one, all I need to do is replace the brush head instead of the entire toothbrush. I even stopped using plastic loofahs and use a washcloth like I’m 95 years old. And even with all that, I found some hidden plastic items I didn’t think about.
13 Easy Ways to use Less Plastic
All of these suggestions are truly easy to incorporate. Because, let’s face it, if you have to change your lifestyle or if the monetary cost is too great, you won’t do it. And that’s fine; that’s human nature. So, instead of judging yourself, the point is to consider your lifestyle and find easy ways to use less plastic. Simple swaps incorporated daily really add up and make a tremendous difference. Let’s face it, our plastic usage is a huge problem. Let’s start making less of a carbon footprint on our earth.
I do all of the suggestions below except the beeswax wrap because I have my own reusable food covers. Also, sometimes my hair gets really dry and I have to buy super hydrating shampoo. But, the point is not to be perfect, but to TRY. There are so many easy ways to use less plastic that will require little to no effort on your part. Let’s try it!
1. Use Glass Tupperware Instead of Plastic
This is the glass tupperware we use and we love them. They have lasted us years and I have found that anything I buy from Utopia Home is always great quality. There are so many easy ways to use less plastic that just involve switching one product for another! Bonus: glass can go in the microwave without emitting toxins.
2. Use a Wash Cloth Instead of a Plastic Loofah
3. Bring Reusable Bags to the Grocery Store
4. Use Cardboard Container Laundry and Dishwasher Detergent
Those liquid laundry detergent containers are giant bottles of plastic that isn’t necessary. Luckily, powder detergent is still alive and well and comes in cardboard, so it’s a really easy swap. Also, we should all be trying to use safer products for our families anyway, and many of the safer options are already packaged in a green way. Score!
5. Use Beeswax Wrap Instead of Plastic Wrap
Did you know there’s a plastic wrap replacement made of beeswax? Here it is on Amazon. If you cook everyday, chances are you are saving your leftovers in a dish covered in plastic wrap. Try to break that habit and use something more eco-friendly and budget conscious!
6. Buy Eggs in Recycled Cardboard Containers Instead of Plastic (or Styrofoam)
7. Buy Glass Pantry Items Instead of Plastic
This includes spice jars, nut butters, honey, oils, etc. You can also shop the bulk bins for items such as grains at places like Whole Foods and bring along your own reusable produce bags. No waste.
8. Use a Shampoo and Conditioner Bar not Bottle
Do you realize how large shampoo and conditioner bottles are? HUGE! Lush has some excellent shampoo bar options that I have tried and love. It’s super easy an a simple switch that will save so much plastic from our oceans.
9. Buy a Refillable Hand Soap Dispenser (Glass, Ceramic, or Stone)
Are you one of those people who go to the store and buy a new soap pump each time you run out? How many do you think you use in your kitchen and bathroom(s) over the course of a year? Instead, go to Target (the one above is Chip & Joanna’s line) or Home Goods and buy an affordable soap pump and the giant jugs of soap to refill your dish. I prefer Method brand refillable liquid hand soap. They use soap bags instead of plastic jugs.
10. Use Bar Soap Instead of Shower Gel
Shower gel has become pretty ubiquitous in our bath and body regime. But, you can just as easily get a bar of good old fashion soap. Too blah? Try a handmade soap from my personal favorites: Lush and Sabon, or even Whole Foods or Etsy. Soap is much more affordable and has no plastic packaging. This is one of the best smelling easy ways to use less plastic.
11. Use Biodegradable or Reusable Produce Bags
I’ve recently fallen in love with Trader Joe’s. I was even more elated when I found out that their produce bags are biodegradable and aren’t made of plastic. Score! You can also purchase these reusable mesh produce bags from Amazon. There are a bunch of canvas options if you wanted to go fully green. Another tip is when buying berries, try to buy from a farmer’s market, street vendor (hey, New Yorkers), or a store selling them in cardboard containers instead of plastic.
12. Pack Lunch and Snacks in Containers (not sandwich and snack baggies)
You might think this is redundant since I already included glass tupperware. But, are you confident that you would be able to safely transport your glass tupperware lunch to your office without any accidents? Go for stainless steel instead; it’s much safer if you’re traveling. Amazon has tons of these stainless steel bento lunch boxes. If you follow Weelicious, she uses some really great ones for her kids’ lunches. Same thing goes for water bottles. Instead of plastic, get a fun stainless steel one.
13. Make Your Own Cold Brew Iced Coffee
I loooove me some cold brew. It used to be a Saturday treat a couple times a month to get either Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks iced coffee and a muffin. But I would always get the large iced coffee which is just a huge single use cup of plastic. No thanks. Since then, I’ve been easily making my own cold brew at home.
Iced Coffee Concentrate:
- 1/3c coffee grounds for every 1 1/2c water.
- Combine in mason jar and leave for about 14-17 hours (I leave mine for about 24 because I like a stronger flavor).
- Then use a sieve to strain the grounds and you have your iced coffee concentrate.
- This concentrate will last you the week; all you need to do is fill up a glass about 1/4 of the way with coffee concentrate and the rest water.
- Then add your milk and sweetener preference and some ice. You just saved so much money, time, and plastic!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this. It means a lot to me when people are mindful about their footprint on the planet. The fact that you are even curious as to how you can make better choices for the environment thrills me. Maybe give this post a share and spread the word? There are so many more easy ways to use less plastic and we can all try our best. Let’s go green easily and affordably.
-Kristen
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