How to get Plastic out of our lives
How do we live without plastic, the second of a two part series
Disclaimer!
Just because you have plastic in your life right now, do not throw it all away! Only replace them with non-plastic items once they are broken and cannot be used again. I will mention a lot of companies, I am not in anyway being paid by these companies. They are just companies that I believe are doing good in the world by fighting against plastic waste and consumer culture.
With that out of the way, lets start reducing our plastic waste. This will loosely be based on the tips that the marine conservation society wrote in their book ‘How to Live Plastic Free’. If you have the time go ahead and read it by ordering it here. If not, that’s fine I’ll cover the tips that will reduce the most plastic.
How to reduce our plastic wastage?
To make this simple I am going to go through the daily routine and then end on some extras. For each section I will highlight the problems and the solutions with linking in companies (based in the UK) that alleviate your plastic usage.
Waking Up & Getting Ready:
Regardless of whether you shower in the morning or evening, or both, you need body wash and shampoo. These typically come in plastic bottles and rarely have a refill that you can buy. Better alternatives are soap and shampoo bars, not only do they come in cardboard boxes, you can get ones that are made of all natural ingredients and paraben free. Soap bars are easy to find, ones from Dove and Palmolive are readily available and you can find natural ones in Lush, Body Shop. This is the easiest switch you can make that will save a couple plastic bottles going to a landfill every year.
Next, oral care. Getting the teeth pearly white and minty fresh also has plastic written all over them. For your toothbrush, go for bamboo! A lot of companies such as re:gn are creating these and prices do vary, but you can get them as much as a regular one and they are just as good. The only downside is that you have to get used to the feel, but after a week you won’t feel a difference. For your mouthwash, consider mouthwash tablets, they are slightly more expensive but they can come in interesting flavours, try Georganics. Last but not least, the toothpaste. This is probably the most expensive of the all, but there are options to buy refillable toothpaste from Life Supplies or toothpaste tablets from Gudyu. Alternatively, you could make your own toothpaste with a bunch of essential oils which would be cheaper in the long run, look at this link for more information.
If you want some plastic free natural deodorant, try Wild, the start up cost is a bit more that your average deodorant, but after the switch it is equal. Lastly, whether its number one or two, buy your toilet paper in paper packaging.
Breakfast
Believe it or not, milkmen still exist, the Modern Milkman delivers milk to your doorstep in glass bottles with additional options of bread, butter and pastries. Whether you’re a tea or coffee person, make sure its plastic free. For tea, buy bags that don’t contain plastic, you wouldn’t want those microplastics. For coffee users, get a reusable coffee flask that you can take on the go or refill at coffee shops instead of using the plastic cups. When choosing your on the go mug, try opt for stainless steel ones.
On the go
Wherever you are going, there are a few essentials that help you significantly reduce your plastic when out, starting with the obvious, a reusable water bottle. If you run out, don’t be afraid to ask at cafes to refill them for you (for countries that have potable drinking water from the tap). The next item is some form of bag, you never know what you may need it for, but if its for carrying your impulse buys or your lunch a tote or a backpack always avoids the bags given at the till. If you know you’re going to be out during lunch, pack some! Most of the quick and affordable meals are covered in single use plastic and you can quickly make your lunch by making extra for dinner.
At work
Other than the overlap when on the go, the office or wherever you work can be a place were you can make a bigger change. If you are concerned about any unnecessary usage of materials (especially plastic) talk to your manager and try to make a change. Try and advocate for change in your work environment to encourage sustainable practices whether that is recycling, or adding a water fountain or even organising an awareness and beach cleanups. Choose plastic free stationary like cardboard file holders and bamboo and metal desk organisers.
Getting some groceries
The obvious and easiest here is to reuse those plastic bags that you get or use the more sturdy canvas/ cloth ones that doesn’t have plastic to begin with. Beyond that, you can significantly reduce your plastic waste in the fruit and veggie isle. Many of these items are becoming more and more plastic free in the major supermarket chains and they are usually the same price as the plastically wrapped ones. Look out for these and don’t be fooled with the prices, they are usually per kg so will appear more expensive. To keep all the loose items together, get a reusable net bag. The more plastic free things you buy, the more supermarkets will listen and incorporate them. Look out for reusable things elsewhere.
There are a lot of items that you can reuse and refill without needing to buy new plastic containers for. Going to your local wholesale or organic store can refill your spices, grains, flour and tea plastic free without those nasty extra pesticides.
Cooking
Other than making food in advance to avoid those lunch time plastic wrapped meals, you can avoid plastic in the kitchen that will also benefit your health. Go glass or metal for any containers, they will avoid those microplastics ending up in your food. Speaking of microplastics, get wooden chopping boards, they are much more aesthetically pleasing and they can double as a board when serving to guests. Try avoiding conventional non-stick pans and stick with the stainless steel or ceramic non-stick pans so those micro/nano plastics don’t end up in your food. If you want getting your stainless steel pans becoming non-stick, try this trick. Lastly, avoid using ladles and spatulas made from plastic and opt for wooden or metals ones.
Doing the laundry and cleaning
You may have noticed that most of your laundry is washed with detergent that is incased in plastic. You may also be surprised that most of that detergent is just water. So how can we get around this? You can either buy laundry detergent that is in the powder form, most likely these are in cardboard boxes. Two other alternatives are Earth Breeze, laundry sheets, or Smol, plastic free laundry packaging. Smol is also good for other plastic free cleaning supplies like dishwasher tablets and dish washing liquid.
Shopping spree
Next time you are looking for a new shirt or pair of pants try to look at the label of what its made off. You’ll be surprised how much is made of plastic today, even if it feels or looks like wool or cotton. They will be more expensive but they will also last longer.
Taking out the trash
Remember contamination in recycling from last week? Well you can avoid these plastics and other materials not being recycled by making sure they are sorted properly and clean. Additionally if you are placing things in plastic garbage bags make sure to crush it so you can get more out of your bag.
Travel
Next time you are going to visit new places try and keep it plastic free by doing the following: bring your reusable water bottle, use a set of travel bottles instead of buying and discarding body wash and shampoo during your stay or bring your soap/shampoo bar instead.
Hope you found these tricks useful and manage to incorporate it in your life. Once again, these changes take a while and don’t have to happen over night. Just be weary of the things you buy when you’re out and about and see whether its actually worth the environmental and health impacts.
Till next week,
Maxime