Plastic Alternatives for Healthier Living

Although convenient, research has found numerous health hazards from using plastic. Not only do plastic products affect the health of the environment, but they also contaminate marine life and affect the health and well-being of humans. It’s no wonder many are taking steps to reduce their plastic use.

If you are new to reducing plastic waste or are simply looking for ideas for plastic alternatives, you’ve found the right place. Plastic is used in so many different products from food to cleaning supplies, and baby toys.

When it comes to swapping out plastics, small steps can be very impactful. Just because you have decided to reduce plastic use doesn’t mean you need to immediately toss everything plastic in your household. Instead, take it one step at a time.

Some eco-friendly alternatives to plastic products include silicone, glass, stainless steel, natural fiber cloth (such as cotton or hemp), wood, bamboo, and beeswax. Look for ways to swap out plastic for these materials instead, such as using cotton reusable bags for shopping, and beeswax reusable produce bags instead of the plastic ones they have at the store or beeswax coated cloth to cover leftovers instead of utilizing plastic-wrap.

Additionally, you can swap traditional Ziplock storage bags for silicone reusable ones, or glass food storage containers instead of plastic. Opt for wooden cutting boards instead of plastic and make beverages at home and serve or travel with mason jars instead of to-go cups. You can also bring your own cups to coffee shops and other places that utilize plastic cups for beverages.

A lesser-known plastic substitute is agave fiber. This biodegradable material is made from agave and is compostable. You can find eco-friendly agave fiber products such as cups, straws, plates, silverware, to-go food containers, and more. These are great options for restaurants or for those who still want the luxury of single-use items without using plastic products.

Not only will these swaps cut down on the plastic you bring into your household, but they will also reduce your overall waste and exposure to microplastics significantly. Even if you are only able to feasibly make a few of these changes, they can be impactful.

Swapping out these everyday plastic items for eco-friendly alternatives may sound easily, but cutting down on plastic use can be more challenging that you might think. Every day is a new opportunity to reduce plastic waste and make better choices for your health and the environment. Although it may take some time to implement these changes, the benefits far outweigh the extra time spent.