It's amazing to think of all the little things out there that ultimately are made of plastic. And, just maybe, you aren't ready to stop your use of it altogether just yet.
Although recycling can help reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, waterways, and ecosystems, only a few types of plastics can be recycled by most municipal governments. The fraction that does get recycled still requires a lot of energy and water, which just isn't a good proposition when it comes to single-use products.
From making your own toothpaste to buying refillable makeup, here are 18 ways that you yourself can find little ways to go plastic-free.
1. Try to use fresh instead of frozen fruit/veggies
Most frozen fruit comes in plastic, and unless you put it in plastic at the store, most fresh fruit doesn't. It also doesn't have to be defrosted before use. You can even shop at your local farmers market.
2. Use reusable bags at the grocery store
You can bring your own in and many places sell them. If you have to use plastic bags, at least use as few as possible.
3. Get toothpaste that is stored in jars
Not only does this reduce the amount of plastic that you use, but it can ensure that you use all of the toothpaste that is in the container. You can even make your own and save money.
4. Reusable water bottles
Many brands of bottled water are simply filtered tap water with minerals for taste.
5. Invest in a wood or bamboo toothbrush
They decompose better than the plastic ones.
6. Avoid snacks put in plastic bags (or try making your own)
Kale chips are super yummy and easy to make.
7. Protect your skin with plastic-free sunscreen
Not only does it reduce plastic, but if you are at the beach and go into the water, it is safe for the marine life.
8. When purchasing online, if you can, request zero-plastic shipping
One way to do that is to let the retailers know that you'd like as little plastic packaging as possible.
9. Stop drinking from plastic water bottles
Carrying around a reusable may not be the most fun thing, but considering water bottles are one of the main plastic items people use every day – so much so that the annual consumption of plastic bottles is set to top half a trillion by 2021 – it may just work out in your favor.
10. Refillable makeup
Not only is the packaging made of plastic, but some of the makeup products might be too.
11. Use bulk bins
Almost any grocery store that you could walk into has a bulk bin section.
12. Check labels of personal care products
And then avoid anything (if you can) that has plastic beads and switch to a product that doesn't.
13. Try using bar shampoo and conditioner
For many, simply getting rid of the plastic bottle does a lot of good for both shampoo and conditioner and maybe even look into using sulfur-free ones, too.
14. Shop thrift stores
If you're going to buy it anyway, why not buy it from a thrift store? There are some pretty unique clothing items inside of a lot of them, and usually, they're a lot less expensive.
15. Choose to use chapstick and lip balm containers that are plastic free
A good brand to use is Organic Essence.
16. Get off of mailing lists (or maybe try opting for just email instead)
This gets rid of any unnecessary little pieces of plastic paper and reduces how much ultimately ends up thrown in the trash can.
17. Avoid the worst possible type of plastic
Polyvinyl Chloride (#3 PVC), Polystyrene (#6 PS), and Polycarbonate (#7 Other) are the main ones to avoid. But PVC is found in many, many products and causes a whole host of environmental problems.
18. Do your own research
There are plenty of other alternatives out there.
