Easy Ways to Use Alternatives to Plastic

Have you heard of Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is an exercise — a time to acknowledge just how much plastic waste we’re creating, and do something about it. In honor of the movement, and to be part of the solution to plastic pollution, I’ve put together some easy ways we can all reduce single-use plastic waste at home.

While the changes might seem small, they make a difference.

Patterns are easy to fall into, and oftentimes can be even harder to break. It’s my goal to help you identify easy ways to decrease the amount of plastic you use. I understand that sometimes sustainability practices can seem overwhelming — Where do you begin? Are you doing enough? Can you really make a difference?

The truth is that YES, you can make a difference.

Each single-use plastic item you don’t throw away is one less piece of plastic not getting discarded into the landfills or the oceans. And small changes every day add up to big changes.

While you don’t have to create a massive composting pile in your backyard (unless you want to)—there are other things you can do to reduce your environmental impact and be environmentally conscious at home.

Once you begin to implement little changes, they become habitual, and soon enough you’re part of the change. Think you can get on board with that?

So, where do you start? Take into account your groceries, household items, beauty products, food items (takeout containers, coffee cups, things wrapped in plastic). Once you identify where you’re using plastic, it’s much easier to find alternatives.

Here are easy ways to switch to plastic-free alternatives!

At  the Grocery Store

You can actually ditch the plastic produce bags they provide at the market, and simply present your fruits and veggies sans baggie (make sure to give them a good wash once you get home!).

Alternatively, if you like having your items all grouped together in bags, opt for reusable ones. I love these reusable mesh produce bags because they’re durable, you can throw them in the wash, and they’re sheer enough so the register can read the product labels easily through the bag.

Always, always, always bring your own reusable bags or heavy-duty totes to bundle up your goods to take home!

Make What You Can at Home

Some products that you buy at the store (and come with a ton of packaging) can pretty easily be made at home and stored in your own glass containers. A few of my faves to make at home are:

• Salad Dressings
• Pesto
• Hummus
• Plant-based milks

Also, consider buying items that only come in glass containers — nut butters, spreads, and condiments are notoriously packaged in plastic, but there are alternatives on the shelves!

Tea Bags

Tea bags sometimes have plastic of synthetic materials in the glue that holds the string in. So they don’t actually break down all the way and can last a really long time.

Period Products

Menstrual cups are a game-changer! These cool little cups can be reused for years and you just need one to be covered for your entire period.

If you’ve never used one, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy and clean they are.

Just insert it then empty as needed. You can wear it for up to 12 hours at a time. They are easy to clean and get ready for instant reuse.

Luna Cup, OrganiCup, and Saalt are some of the most popular brands. However, there is a range of options out there and you might find that one type is better than another for you!

Period panties are another must-try! Thinx is a really cool concept that can replace tampons or liners. Each pair of panties can hold up to four tampons’ worth. And don’t worry—it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper.

They’re super easy to use, zero waste, and the most comfortable option if you’re not a fan of traditional menstrual products.

If menstrual cups and period panties aren’t your thing, no worries! You can opt for plastic-free tampons. Actual plastic applicator tampons create a TON of waste. Some easy switches to make are cardboard applicators which are biodegradable.

Lola is an affordable subscription brand that allows you to get period products sent straight to your house every month. They’re 100% organic cotton and there are no *nasties.* They offer plastic or cardboard (more eco-friendly!) and free of any synthetic fibers so they break down naturally.

Trash Bags

Trash bags are one of the easiest switches to make!

Water Bottles + Coffee Cups

Do you have a reusable water bottle? If not, have you considered how many plastic bottles you go through in a day… a week? Is the backseat of your car a graveyard of half-empty bottles?

Reusable water bottles are where it’s at!

Final Thoughts

Package Free Shop is a wonderful resource with tons of plastic-free and package-free goodies for you to make the switch to!

One of my favorite quotes is by Anne Marie Bonneau. She said, “The world doesn’t need a few people doing zero-waste perfectly. The world needs millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

So, remember this when you feel like you’re not doing *enough* or single-use plastic and pollution seems like an overwhelming problem that you can’t do anything about. Every little bit helps and making these easy switches is a great way to start.

Do you have any tips or suggestions when it comes to ditching plastic? Know of better alternatives? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

By The Blonde Abroad