Going plastic-free may take some effort and adjustment, but the benefits of going plastic-free far outweigh the inconvenience.
Do you ever feel sick from how much plastic you touch daily? Us too. Going plastic-free in your home is an important step towards reducing the environmental impact of your household and potential harm to your health. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material that takes hundreds of years to decompose, and it is not uncommon for plastic waste to end up in rivers, oceans, and landfills, where it poses a threat to wildlife and ecosystems. By making a conscious effort to go plastic-free in your home, you can reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate and help protect the planet. Read these 10 tips to help you make the conscious effort to reduce plastic use in your home:
1. Start with a Plastic Audit: Take a close look at the plastic items in your home and identify the ones that you use the most, and the ones that you can do without.
2. Ditch the Plastic Straws: Say goodbye to plastic straws and opt for reusable metal or paper straws instead.
3. Bring Your Own Bags: Avoid using plastic bags by bringing your own reusable bags when shopping.
4. Switch to Reusable Containers: Replace single-use plastic containers with glass or stainless steel containers that can be used over and over again.
5. Choose Glass over Plastic: When possible, choose glass containers over plastic ones, especially for food storage.
6. Switch to Bar Soap: Swap out your plastic bottles of liquid soap for bar soap, which comes in minimal packaging and lasts longer.
7. Invest in a Water Filter: Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a water filter to purify your tap water.
8. Make Your Own Cleaning Products: Swap out your plastic bottles of cleaning products for glass spray bottles and make your own. Cleaning products do not have to be full of harsh chemicals - see these recipes.
9. Say Goodbye to Plastic Wrap: Instead of plastic wrap, buy beeswax covers or glass storage containers.
10. Use Cloth Napkins: It is not harmful to use napkins when you have them, but instead you can use cloth napkins and just put them in the wash to be reused again. You can make your own or buy them online - many are made with recycled cloth - see more here.
Making these changes may take some effort and adjustment, but the benefits of going plastic-free far outweigh the inconvenience. By going plastic-free in your home today, you can do your part to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world. And first and foremost, you simply feel better.
