Going Plastic Free For Beginners

If you've seen the news lately, so much of it is focused on the negative impact humans are having on the planet. Political views aside, we can all agree that our plastic usage can get out of hand at times and is probably doing more harm than good. How many times have you run out of shampoo at a moment's notice and run to the store to pick up a bottle? Well those bottles add up over time and once they've been created they never go away. In fact, it takes roughly about 1000 years for a single plastic bottle to decompose. In the meantime, it has the potential to break down into micro-plastics which contaminates our food sources and water. I've been doing some thinking and wanted to minimize my plastic usage, but if you're like me it can be overwhelming trying to find where to start. Which is why I've created a few easy-to-follow tips on how to start limiting your plastic usage without going completely plastic free just yet.

Step 1: The bathroom

There are so many ways to eliminate plastic in the bathroom, and when you start thinking about it, it's crazy how many single use plastics we throw away every day, week, and year. To start, you can simply purchase a metal razor instead of a plastic one. You only have to replace the razor head every 3 months or when it gets dull, which for me is longer than 3 months. This eliminates those silly single use razors that break easily and are hard on your skin too. These razors also help you save money because you won't have to keep buying a whole new razor every time you take a shower. Another way that you can decrease your plastic use in the bathroom is by eliminating your plastic toothbrush. Yes, there are so many companies that create toothbrushes that are made of bamboo and are fully compostable. Of all of my friends who have made the switch, including myself, I have never heard of a person who didn't prefer their bamboo toothbrush over the plastic version. Also, if you're really committed to removing plastic in your bathroom, you can switch your shampoo and conditioner from bottles to bars. I've made the switch and it not only saves the environment, but it also saves you money because you can get close to 100 washes out of just one bar. I was very scared to switch my routine because I've used the same products in my hair since I was in high school, but I actually had better results using the natural products that I bought.

Step 2: The kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important places in the house to eliminate plastic waste. Have you ever noticed that when you go grocery shopping, almost everything is covered in plastic? Even fruit that comes in its own natural wrapper has plastic over it. It's really ridiculous. However, it's not a lost cause. You can still eliminate your plastic waste when grocery shopping. Instead of using plastic bags, bring your own reusable ones or ask for paper bags and recycle/compost them. Whatever you do, do not use those plastic bags available in the fruit and vegetable sections of the store. Wrapping each individual item in plastic is a complete waste and since you're going to wash your produce anyway there's really no point in using them. Another tip that I learned recently is that buying grocery items in bulk creates a lot less waste. Many stores allow you to bring your own containers and get products like pasta, beans, granola, etc. in the bulk sections as long as you weigh your items before and after they are in your jars. I made this mistake the first time by not knowing the tare on the container and made the cashier's life a little more difficult that day. You'll find that by using these steps and decreasing your plastic consumption you'll also be eating healthier as well because most of the food that doesn't come in plastic is much healthier for you.

Step 3: Water consumption

This one bothers me so much. I can't stand watching people drink out of single use plastic bottles and throw them away in the garbage, or even recycle bins (most of the time they don't get recycled)! First off, there are so many chemicals in plastic water bottles, but I'll spare you the long rant and won't get into that in this post. Instead, try a metal or glass water bottle (without a plastic top), bring a glass gallon container to a grocery store to fill up water for the week, or try a non-plastic filter for your kitchen like charcoal bars. Also, don't forget those handy metal, bamboo, or paper straws. Don't buy plastic reusable straws if you can avoid it. Although it's great that you're reusing it, it's still plastic and you're trying to eliminate plastic right?

Step 4: Laundry

I have found that laundry and cleaning supplies are probably one of the most difficult ways to eliminate plastic waste. But don't feel discouraged! Although it feels like almost everything comes in plastic, there are ways around it. For your cleaning supplies, invest in glass spray bottles and look up some DIY's to use instead of harsh chemicals. However, it is good to remember that when you're trying to cut down on your plastic usage it's okay to still use what you have. If you have tons of cleaning products throughout your house that come in plastic bottles don't throw them out! Use them until they're gone and try to make the switch after. For your laundry, you can invest in dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, which I have found make your clothes so much softer. You can even try laundry detergent pods that don't use plastic and come in a compostable box. It's crazy how much waste small pouches of detergent save, and for those with sensitive skin like me, many companies have scent-free options so it doesn't irritate you at all.

It's important to remember not to be hard on yourself either. Sometimes, you don't have an option and have to buy something that comes in plastic which is totally okay. You're not striving to be perfect. Know that every little bit of plastic that you can eliminate matters and you are making a huge difference in the world! If we all just do one small thing a day like you are, it can make a huge impact on our planet for generations to come!

*this post is not sponsored*

#blog #environment #plastic #ocean #planet #earthday