Now With 20%* Less Plastic!
(*Not actually 20%, this is a random number.)
If you have read my blog in the past - and if so, hurrah, welcome back! - you may recall that I have been on a long and interesting journey to reduce my plastic waste and get closer to the goal of “zero waste”. Specifically, I have been trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in my life — the stuff that winds up in the ocean as microplastics, and in landfills, and everywhere. I also don’t like spending money on things I just throw away, so finding ways to avoid buying this stuff in the first place gives me satisfaction. I started this journey around 2015, I think, and in 2018, I posted about some of the changes I made as a result, and some of the products I found to replace single-use materials. I have continued to test a variety of products since then, and thought it might be useful to someone else to share what I’ve found.
Yes there is irony in posting a photo of plastic in my post about using less plastic.
Kitchen & Dining:
Waxed food wrap (an update): In 2018, I had just started using these, and now can say that the one I have, from Bee’s Wrap, has held up remarkably well for 5+ years. These wraps replace plastic wrap for most uses, except microwaving, as they are heat-sensitive. Somehow I started with three of these and only have one now, but that one has been a champ. Probably should get some more.
Silicone bowl covers: This was a relatively recent purchase and I am now a huge fan. These microwave- and dishwasher-safe covers are, indeed, plastic, but they replace single-use plastic wrap or paper towels for microwaving, and are easy to clean. I used to use a paper towel to cover my food every time I use the microwave, which is often multiple times per day, so this has allowed me to stop using and composting so much paper towel! And of course, it protects my microwave from food explosions. You can also use these to cover bowls in the fridge or when cooking, or even on the stove, apparently, but I don’t think I’ll be using them for that.
Silicone “sandwich bags”: I have now tried three different versions, and the Stasher and Pyrex ones are a clear (well, translucent) winner. The other ones I tried used separate plastic slide-on closure pieces, which were super annoying. The ones I like instead have a design that snaps/squishes together without a separate piece, so there’s nothing to lose and it’s much easier to close. These are great for replacing plastic sandwich bags for pretty much all uses, including in the freezer. I typically wash mine by hand because they’re a weird shape, but technically they are dishwasher safe too.
Cellulose “European” or “Swedish dish cloths”: These replace paper towels for cleaning and wiping up, and they are great for that purpose.
They’re dishwasher safe, bleach cleanable (I spray them with bleach periodically), and I have yet to have to replace any that I bought years ago.Cloth napkins: Kind of a no-brainer, right? Why don’t more people use cloth napkins? They make every meal feel fancy. I haven’t yet brought myself to using them when my food is particularly greasy or turmeric-laden, because I don’t want them to get stained, but they are great for general use, and I pack them in my lunch for work.
Compostable single-use items (cups, plates, bowls, cutlery): Another no-brainer, but if you ever have to buy single-use items, don’t get plastic. I have paper cups, plates, and bowls, and either bamboo or compostable bioplastic cutlery. Sometimes you just can’t use real plates.
Bath & Laundry:
Plastic-free laundry detergent: I switched to this in December, and it seems to be working well so far; I can’t tell a difference between this and national detergent brands. I’m using Dropps, which is a highly concentrated formula that comes in a glass pump bottle, and their packaging is also all compostable or recyclable. After a bit of research, I found that the laundry detergent sheets and pods, and many of the other “plastic-free” options as well, break down into microplastics, so although Dropps has some plastic in the bottle pump, it’s not single-use (refills just have a screw cap), and seems like a good solution for now. This first bottle has lasted me over 6 months, so that’s pretty good, and it takes up much less space than your regular, less-concentrated detergent.
Silk dental floss: I’ve been using this for years with no problems. There is an ethical question to be asked since the process of making silk commercially involves killing the silkworms - but I am not vegan (yet) and let’s face it, they are bugs, so I am currently accepting of this trade-off to avoid plastic floss. I compost the floss after using it and try to use it judiciously. It comes in a glass bottle, and I just buy refills which come in compostable packaging. It’s definitely thicker than the plastic floss, so it takes some getting used to, but my dentist has had no complaints!
Reusable silicone ear swab: This one definitely was an acquired taste, but after sticking with it for a few weeks (I don’t use it very often), I found it was just fine, and allowed me to stop buying Q-tips forever. This is another use-plastic-to-save-plastic situation, but seems ok since it prevents having to keep buying and manufacturing regular swabs. The one I have is by Last Object, and was a gift from a friend! Get a few and give your friends the gift of awkwardness (“I bought you a single q-tip!”) and less waste!
Compostable hair ties: I wear my hair up most of the time, and go through a lot of hair ties. I found some from “Generation for Change” that were organic cotton and natural rubber, so they claim to be compostable! So far they’ve been no different from the synthetic ones I’ve used for years. Nice to finally have an option that doesn’t go in the trash once they get stretched out.
Natural rubber cleaning gloves: I prefer to clean using gloves, and this was another item I always felt bad buying and then throwing away. I found some natural rubber, FSC-certified cotton-dusted gloves from “If You Care” that have worked well so far. While rubber takes a long time to decompose, technically it can be composted. And in any case, it’s not plastic.
Diva cups: I am a huge fan of these silicone menstrual cups, and have been for years, but was a bit too embarrassed to include it on my list last time. But for anyone looking to replace sanitary pads or tampons, these are amazing. So much less mess, and no waste! Happy to talk you through it if you contact me separately.
Housewares:
General home goods: I was able to join my neighborhood Buy Nothing Group on Facebook after a short time on a waitlist, and it has been an awesome experience. I have been able to give away all sorts of items to new homes, and received a lot of great things that I needed, for free - a replacement rice cooker, party items that otherwise I’d have to buy new, a spice rack, replacement spice jars, etc. If you have a similar group in your area, it’s fun to browse the items being given away, and to meet your neighbors when you go pick something up. You’re avoiding buying a new item, saving things from landfill, and joining a community, all at once!
Getting creative and learning to repair damaged items: Whenever I need something, my first thought is usually to go on Amazon and buy it. But I have been trying to get better about finding creative alternatives, either by borrowing the item, getting it on Buy Nothing, or making do with something I have around the house. I’ve learned how to repair clothing and fix all sorts of broken things, which is actually kind of cool. Sometimes I still have to buy something to help with the repair, but it’s always less expensive than replacing the entire item. My nemesis however has been replacing my bike tire tubes - I tried three times before giving up and asking a professional. But creating decorations from things I already had around the house, makes me happy.
A few miscellaneous thoughts: A lot of what I try to do is just avoid plastic to begin with. Do you really need to use a plastic trash bag for your desk wastepaper basket? Can you re-use that spray bottle and refill it with cleaning product from a larger container (note: do not mix chemicals)? I often forget, but as much as I can, I try to ask myself if I really need that thing or can avoid it.
Not recommended:
Toothpaste tablets: Did not enjoy these. The tablets come in a paper packet so there’s no plastic tube, which seemed great; but I tried them for a few weeks and the texture was highly unpleasant, plus I found it difficult to clean my night guard, which normally I clean with toothpaste (I brush it like I brush my teeth!). Your mileage may vary. I wish I could find toothpaste in a non-plastic container, but this, like shampoo, may be one item I can’t quit, for now. (I could not get myself to enjoy shampoo bars.)
Bamboo body scrubber: I have been searching for something to replace the mesh bath loofah/scrubber that I have used to the point where it’s disintegrating, which isn’t great because it’s just releasing tiny bits of plastic constantly. I tried a bamboo fabric scrubber that has not been pleasant, so I’m still on the hunt for something better. I am weirded out by using an actual (dead) sponge for this purpose, so I’ll keep looking for something else.
What plastic-free or zero-waste items have you tried and liked? Send me a note!
