Here are some ways to avoid using plastic!

  • Carry reusable grocery bags. Keep some in your car, some in the bag you carry most frequently!
  • Avoid using plastic produce bags for produce or bulk bin purchases. You can use reusable bags for produce as well.  Some produce requires no bag.  Occasionally, stores may offer paper for produce and bulk.
  • Carry a travel mug with you at all times for coffee and other drinks while away from home. Besides the plastic lid and plastic straw, paper cups are lined with a plastic coating. Even if you forget your mug, request “no lid and no straw”.
  • Avoid drinking bottled water. Use a reusable water bottle, possibly one made of stainless steel.
  • Bring your own tableware, glass and utensils to your office, parties, take-out restaurants and other locals where disposables are often used.  You can carry a set of utensils in your backpack, briefcase, or purse.
  • When ordering online, try to include a message to the seller requesting zero plastic or Styrofoam packaging. If this doesn't work, you might send back unwanted items with a letter of explanation.
  • Get off mailing lists, to avoid plastic window envelopes. Or send them back with a note requesting to be removed from the mailing list. Switch to electronic bills and statements.
  • Buy from bulk bins as much as possible. Many stores carry foods as well as some personal and home care products in bulk bins. The key is bringing your own reusable bags and containers to the store. If you live in an area that does not have bulk food stores, you can still buy non-perishable goods in large size packages, which will usually decrease the amount of plastic used overall.
  • Do household cleaning using white vinegar (in a glass bottle) and baking soda. Baking soda is awesome as an alternative to any kind of scouring powder. You can use a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water as an all-purpose spray cleaner (storing it in a reused spray bottle) and produce wash.
  • Use laundry powder and powdered dishwasher detergent packaged in cardboard or from bulk. Watch for the plastic scoop!
  • Use compressed natural cellulose sponges for cleaning dishes (instead of synthetic) and other natural scrubbers and brushes.
  • When a plastic item breaks, try to repair it instead of buying a new one.
  • Buy used goods as much as possible. Try going to second-hand stores, or use Freecycle, or Craigslist or borrow from a friend.
  • Avoid products sold in liquid form when a solid alternative is available. By doing this, you can reduce the need for plastic bottles and containers. For example:
    • Instead of liquid hand soap,  use bar soap
    • Instead of liquid shampoo in bottles, use the baking soda and apple cider vinegar or solid shampoo.
    • Instead of deodorant in a plastic container, use baking soda applied to dry underarms with a powder puff.
  • Buy fresh artisanal bread in paper bags.
  • Make your own yogurt from milk in glass bottles.
  • Use refillable fountain pens.
  • Avoid buying CDs and DVDs. Instead, download music, and borrow DVDs from Netflix or the library.
  • Find ways to wrap gifts without plastic tape. Reusable cloth bags tied with yarn or ribbon is a festive alternative.

 

This list was created based upon a list created by Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish.

Fake Plastic Fish is the ongoing blog of a woman attempting to live with less plastic and that it is a resource for further information about plastic-free alternatives.