Seven Superb Sustainable Swaps For Plastic-Free July
Plastic Free July is here, and it's time to unleash our green powers and ditch all the plastic packaging. Why should you care? 91% of plastic that is produced is not recycled. That's pretty alarming! When we started to live with less and worked on our food waste in our home, we noticed that most refuse to hit our garbage can was plastic packaging that couldn't be recycled. That’s when we decided to look for alternative products that focus on zero-waste packaging. Here’s a list of sustainable swaps we have implemented that you can try. Small changes can equal significant results, so give them a whirl and let me know what you think!
Air-tight canisters and practical food storage containers. Rather than purchasing a lot of foods that were packaged in plastic that couldn't be recycled, you can head to the bulk-barn or local farmer's market in the summer and use your existing storage. This also helps to buy only what you need so your pantry isn't overstocked, reducing spoilage and food waste. This can help eliminate plastic produce bags and plastic wrap. I personally love my OXO air-tight canisters, Stasher bags, and my Tupperware fridge vegetable containers.
Reusable water bottles. If you replace your plastic water bottle with a reusable one, you could be preventing approximately 156 bottles from hitting the landfill a year. Saving the world never tasted so good!
Wipe Out Waste with Reusable Cloths: Paper towels, beware! Reusable cloths are swooping in to save the day. Made from sustainable materials like bamboo or organic cotton, these super-absorbent sidekicks will clean up any mess while saving the trees. Say goodbye to unnecessary waste, and hello to a more sustainable cleaning routine!
Look in the Bathroom! So many things you could find as alternatives in your bathroom, like shampoo bars, reusable make-up cloths, bio-degradable bamboo toothbrushes, and reuse your existing containers and find a refillery for your body wash and hand soap!
What Are You Using For Cleaners? Countless plastic containers hit the landfill that was intended to keep our house clean. Many of these come in plastic containers from toilet bowl cleaner, laundry detergents, or dish soap. Try a swap with toilet bowl strips or dish soap bars, or refill your existing bottles at a refillery station.
Take your own coffee cup! Over 16 billion disposable coffee cups were thrown away annually in the U.S. alone last year, and the plastic lining inside them takes about 30 years to break down. Ditch the single-use cups and arm yourself with a trusty reusable coffee cup. These will keep your favorite brew hot (or cold) and prevent countless cups from going to the landfill.
Audit Your Garbage & Recycling Bins. Take a moment to notice what plastics are continuously hitting your bins, and make a mental note of how you can figure out how to use less or look for an alternative. If you are unsure where to start, take this quick survey from Plastic Free Foundation!
There you have it, seven outstanding sustainable swaps to conquer Plastic Free July like the eco-champion you are! Remember, every small change adds up and makes a huge difference in protecting our beautiful planet. You can find many of these products at The Alternative, Mortise & Tenon, and of course, Amazon, but I love supporting local when I can! So, let's go forth, save the day, and be the plastic-free superheroes our world needs! Stay green, and keep being awesome!
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