Plastic seems almost inescapable in our modern lives. It’s used to make bottles, food and makeup packaging, grocery bags, and of course much more. Unfortunately, while convenient, plastic can take up to 1000 years to fully decompose. In an effort to reduce my own plastic consumption, I’ve started to phase out plastic products I use in my everyday life, to options made of compostable, reusable, and recyclable materials. If you are also looking to reduce your plastic footprint, here are four easy eco-friendly swaps to get you started!
- Resuable utensils
-
Reusable utensils, usually made from wood or bamboo, are an easy way to say no to plastic while eating out. Personally, my favorite brand is To-Go Ware (a basic set contains a spoon, a fork, a knife, and even chopsticks). The utensils can also fit in a purse or backpack, and I bring them with me just about everywhere. Keeping them on hand has definitely reduced my plastic consumption when I would have normally used a plastic fork or spoon.
- Bamboo or wood toothbrushes
-
One frightening fact about plastic is that every single plastic toothbrush you’ve ever used still exists. Now, imagine this: every toothbrush your parents, and even grandparents, have used, still has yet to decompose. Rather than reaching for a plastic toothbrush next time you need to replace your old one, opt for a compostable option. An easy fix to the typical plastic toothbrush is one made of wood or bamboo.
- Reusable produce bags
-
How often do you grab plastic produce bags at the grocery store to put lettuce or other fruits and veggies in? Believe it or not, there is a sustainable swap for plastic produce bags that still preserve your veggies, too. Mesh produce bags are a great alternative, and I almost never go to the grocery store without them!
- Beeswax wraps
-
Instead of reaching for plastic Ziploc bags, or Saran wrap to store your food, consider using beeswax wraps. This reusable alternative is made with a cloth coated with beeswax, rendering it pliable.
By making small, sustainable swaps for normal everyday items, transitioning to an eco-friendly lifestyle can be smoother than one may think. Small-scale changes here and there might seem insignificant, but if everyone pitched in by refusing plastic as much as possible, waste would dramatically reduce worldwide. Consider investing in some of these eco-friendly products. By doing so, you are investing in a greener future, too.