It can be challenging to avoid plastic in the modern world, but there are alternatives to plastic packaging including bottles, becoming more readily available on the market. It is important to find these alternatives and reduce your reliance on plastic. Today, plastic pollution is a pressing issue for the environment. Here are a couple of practical steps to reduce your plastic usage.
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Where Can You Find Plastic?
Plastic is found in many everyday items. It can turn up in unexpected places. This harmful material is used for packaging food, products for personal care, metal cans, synthetic fabrics, and baby wipes. You can also find plastic in dental floss, disposable razors, and period care products. Even your daily cup of coffee may contain traces of plastic. When you think about it, there are a significant number of items in your home that have plastic.
Plastic Alternatives
Do you want to reduce the amount of plastic used inside the home and decrease plastic refuse put into the environment? If the answer is yes, consider using these durable alternatives to plastic.
Stainless Steel
One way to decrease plastic usage is to switch to stainless steel food and beverage containers. These containers are durable and clean easily, making them a practical choice for daily use. In recent years, the number of better options for reusable meal and drink storage has increased. You can easily find alternatives to replace plastic cups, cooking storage containers, lunch boxes, and other items. These containers will help you reduce your plastic usage. You can also enjoy the benefits of using high-quality, long-lasting containers.
Glass
Glass is an excellent alternative to plastic for food storage. This material will not interact with or alter the quality of the food stored in it. Glass is inexpensive and can be recycled, making it a sustainable choice. Tons of food items come in glass containers. You can even “upcycle” these jars in your home for other uses. Glass jars from products such as honey, jam, pickles, and nut butters can be reused for shopping at club grocery stores, storing homemade drinks. While glass is not biodegradable, its durability and recyclability make it a perfect alternative to plastic packaging.
Related: Reduce, Reuse, Replace
Platinum Silicone
Silicone is a versatile material that is safe for use with food. Plus, you can find it in a variety of kitchen products. Silicone is also heat resistant, making it suitable for boiling, baking, and cooking without fear of damaging the material or the food being prepared. When shopping for products made of silicone, you will want to select those items made with food-grade platinum silicone. If it is not food-grade silicone, it could contain plastic fillers. Food-grade silicone is a high-quality, kitchen-safe product used for a variety of tasks and withstands high temperatures.
Beeswax-Coated Cloth
Beeswax-coated fabric is a sustainable alternative to cling wrap and plastic bags. It is simple to use, and easily cleanable with just water and mild soap. In addition to its practical uses, beeswax-coated fabric has a pleasant natural scent. It is often chosen as a replacement for traditional plastic options due to its ability to biodegrade. Not only is beeswax-coated fabric a practical and convenient choice, but it is also a more environmentally friendly option.
Natural Fiber Cloth
Cloth made from materials such as organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo, can be used as a practical alternative to plastic bags. It is a safe material that can be used in a multitude of ways and is compostable. That means it can be broken down and returned to the earth in an environmentally friendly manner. By choosing to use natural materials instead of plastic, you can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the environment.
Wood
Wood is a great alternative, but you must choose the right wood type. Some woods are endangered and are therefore not an environmentally friendly option. Forests that are sustainably managed provide a renewable source of wood that can create various household items as an alternative to plastic. These items may include kitchen utensils or cutting boards. Using wood from these forests helps to reduce the demand for plastic. Wood is a natural and biodegradable material that can be used to create long-lasting products.
Related: Bamboo Fiber: Properties and How it’s Made
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing resource that is renewable. It can be an alternative for plastic in various products, such as takeout containers and tableware. Additionally, it is a highly sustainable and eco-friendly alternative that can grow quickly without harsh chemicals or pesticides. Bamboo is also extremely durable, lightweight, and easily compostable, making it an exceptional choice for many applications. In addition to being used as a replacement for plastic, bamboo can also be used in producing paper, textiles, and building materials.
Pottery and Other Ceramics
For thousands of years, pottery and various other ceramics have been used as a practical and durable option for storing food and using it as tableware. If you want to use pottery and ceramics in your kitchen, make sure to look for those that have non-toxic, safe glazes. These glazes do not contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food or drinks, making them a safer choice for daily use. In addition to being safe for food storage and consumption, pottery and ceramics are waterproof. That means you can use them for storing liquids and other types of foods.
Paper
Many decades ago, products came packaged inside simple paper packaging. While paper is generally more environmentally friendly than plastic, it is not entirely recyclable. Each time paper is recycled, the fibers in the material become shorter and weaker, limiting its usable lifespan. All types of paper can be safely added to your home compost pile except for glossy paper. Even if paper cannot be recycled indefinitely, it can still be repurposed to benefit the environment. While paper packaging may not be the most sustainable option in the long term, it is still a better choice than plastic options.
Cardboard
This is a material that can be composted if it is not coated with plastic. Since many companies choose to package their products inside cardboard to lower the amount of waste created, this is a great choice. Cardboard boxes can also replace traditional storage containers or bins at home. This material can be a great way to help declutter and organize your space while reducing plastic usage.
It is important to remember that every product we use will impact the environment. While materials like glass and metal may be more durable than plastic, they still require energy to produce and transport. In order to make a truly sustainable choice, you will want to choose products that are well-made and built to last. This will assist you in getting the most usage out of the items. In turn, you can minimize the overall environmental footprint of these products. You can work towards a more sustainable future by making better decisions about these products.
Examples of Natural Alternatives to Plastic Packaging
Fortunately, companies are designing and producing alternatives to plastic packaging. Some of these examples include:
Agave Fiber
Agave fiber is one of the best alternatives to plastic due to its sustainability and eco-friendliness. Unlike plastic, agave fiber is derived from a renewable resource, the agave plant, which can be harvested and regrown repeatedly without causing harm to the environment.
Agave fiber is also biodegradable, breaking down naturally in the environment without leaving behind harmful microplastics or other pollutants.
In terms of production, agave fiber requires less energy and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to the production of plastic, making it a more environmentally responsible choice.
Agave fiber is strong and durable, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including textiles, packaging, and building materials.
The use of agave fiber as a plastic alternative can help reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources, minimize waste and pollution, and promote a more sustainable future.
Bamboo Fiber
Bamboo is an excellent alternative to plastic because it is a sustainable and renewable resource. Unlike plastic, which is made from non-renewable petroleum, bamboo can grow back after it is harvested, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Bamboo is also biodegradable, meaning it will break down naturally in the environment, unlike plastic which can take hundreds of years to decompose and often ends up in landfills or oceans.
Production of bamboo requires less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to the production of plastic. Bamboo is also a versatile material that can be used in a variety of products, from clothing and textiles to kitchenware and building materials, making it a viable option for reducing our reliance on plastic.
Breaking the Plastic Habit
Using a few alternatives, you can reduce your reliance on plastics. Companies will stop using these harmful materials when more people switch from plastic packaging. Here are a couple more tips for breaking your plastic habit.
Use Beverage Containers that Do Not Contain Plastic
Using a reusable water bottle can help you avoid purchasing bottled drinks or using plastic straws. Also, by having your own cup to your local coffee spot allows you to skip using disposable cups, lids, and straws. You will want to invest in a high-quality water bottle and reusable cup. By doing that, you can reduce your reliance on single-use plastic items.
Get Rid of the Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic bags are a huge problem. It is estimated that a trillion bags made of plastic are used annually worldwide. By bringing your own bag and using produce bags that are reusable, you can reduce this number by not relying on plastic packaging. Additionally, by getting your own storage containers when you go shopping from bulk bins, you can avoid needing single-use plastic bags that are often provided and used by the majority of shoppers.
Related: PLA Straws: Really Biodegradable & Compostable?
Switch to Soaps that are Non-Liquid
Containers for liquid soaps, detergents, and shampoos have contributed to plastic waste in the environment. One way to reduce your plastic usage is to switch to soap in bar form and shampoo bars for use in the bathroom. These products are typically packaged in sustainable materials, like paper or cardboard. Along with that, they can be used repeatedly, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles. In the kitchen, consider using powders packed in recyclable containers. Many stores also offer soaps in bulk, allowing you to refill your own containers. However, choose bar soaps as they have a smaller environmental footprint due to their lower use of plastic packaging.
Choose a Plastic-Free Future
By reducing your plastic usage, you will decrease your own contribution to unwanted waste. Also, companies will be motivated to respond as more people demand more sustainable business practices. With that, you can work towards reversing the current trend of increasing plastic use. It is crucial to address this issue so that we can ensure a healthier and sustainable future.
Are you interested in finding out more about how to combat plastic pollution? At Plant Switch, we have a few solutions for you! Contact us today!