Going plastic free: the first things to replace

September 3, 2020 Biome

Join the many change makers living with less plastic

Cut fossil fuel demand to reduce the progression of climate change
Reduce waste that clogs up landfill, and litters our waterways and natural areas
Reduce the toxins your body is exposed to, like BPA, phthalates and flame retardants
Save money by re-using, such as cling wrap or water bottles
Invest in higher quality, made to last products, like stainless steel pegs or cast iron frying pans

Go you! Tackling one area at a time is an easy way to get started and give you confidence moving forward. After all, it's all about progress, not perfection. Read on for ideas on the changes that the Biome community find are working for them.

Change 1: Switch commonly used single use products for reusable alternatives

Switch:

Cling wrap for reusable wax wraps or food containers
Throw away plastic water bottles for a reusable water bottle
Take away plastic cutlery for your own reusable cutlery
Disposable nappies for reusable cloth nappies

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Change 2: Swap plastic bottles for package free

Many products that come in plastic bottles have alternatives that are either package free, or packaged in recyclable paper or cardboard, or reusable glass and tin. Swap:

Liquid shampoo and conditioner for shampoo bars or solid shampoo and conditioner (we explain the difference here)
Dishwashing liquid for a solid dishwashing soap bar
Body wash for a solid body soap bar
Liquid toilet cleaner for toilet cleaning bombs
Laundry liquid for soapberries
Face and body moisturiser in a bottle, for one that comes in a glass jar, tin or solid block
Liquid roll on deodorant for a solid deodorant stick in a tube or paste in a tin

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Change 3: Grow your own

Fruit, veggies and herbs from the supermarket and veggie store often come wrapped in plastic. You don't need much space or experience to grow your own though. Most herbs are really easy to grow in pots, and we have window sill kits for those that don't have a backyard. For those that have a veggie garden, why not try growing vegetables and fruit from seeds. [pswp_products ids="31517,28486"]

Change 4: Replace broken plastic items with quality, buy for life or natural fibre alternatives

Replace:

Plastic pegs that deteriorate with high quality metal wire pegs
Plastic ice cube trays with a stainless stee l ice cube tray
Plastic dishwashing brushes with a wood and coconut fibre brush
Synthetic reusable shopping bags with a cotton or jute reusable shopping bag

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Change 5: Take it room by room or activity by activity

TAKEAWAY Bring your own:

Reusable container or pouch for food to go in
Reusable cutlery instead of opting for the single use plastic cutlery they provide
Reusable coffee cup or have it at the cafe in a ceramic cup, instead of using the disposable one
Reusable straw, or opt for no straw
Fabric napkin or handkerchief

GROCERY SHOPPING

Bring your own reusable shopping bags made from cotton or jute, or ask for a box
Bring your own reusable produce bags made from cotton, or just let your veggies mingle
Use a reusable container at the deli, butcher or specialty store
Shop at local food co-ops or bulk food stores

CLEANING

Spray cleaners for DIY cleaners using raw, natural ingredients purchased in bulk
Laundry liquid, general cleaning sprays and even body wash for soapberries or a soapberry liquid (see more about that here)
Plastic and synthetic cleaning brushes and sponges for natural fibre alternatives

BATHROOM

Cotton buds with a plastic stick to those with a bamboo or paper stick
A toothbrush with a plastic handle to a toothbrush with a bamboo handle
Body wash, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner in plastic containers to the solid soap bar alternatives
Plastic combs and brushes to a wooden comb and brush

KITCHEN

Synthetic cloths for plant cellulose cloths
Plastic scourers and dish brushes for natural fibre dish brushes
Plastic cutting board for a wooden cutting board (here is why our camphor laurel cutting boards are extra special)
Plastic containers for stainless steel or glass containers
Nylon utensils for good quality stainless steel utensils