Cost of taking action: £/$/€ FREE or LOW
From our guest writer Jasmin in Australia
Buy Non-Plastic Alternatives
Today’s action involves making the swap from plastic household items such as cling wrap, Tupperware and shopping bags, to non-plastic alternatives.
Whilst this can sound like a daunting task in our plastic-filled world, plastic-free options are becoming easier to find. Even local supermarkets are now stocking a variety of affordable options.
As your plastic items wear out, please consider replacing them with environmentally-friendly options without the plastic.
Things to consider replacing:
- Plastic Food Packaging – from cereal, tea, meats, cheeses, etc
- Milk Cartons – waxed cardboard is often 80% paper and 20% plastic
- Takeaway Coffee Cups – are often lined with plastic
- Cling wrap and sandwich bags
- Synthetic Fabrics – such as polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon are all made from plastic
- Nappies and Cleaning Wipes – many contain plastic layers
- “Throwaway” items like straws, stirrers, sachets, picnic cutlery, and so on
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is a great place to start.
Non-plastic alternatives:
- Stainless Steel – a good option for example for reusable coffee cups, food storage containers, straws, water bottles and lunch boxes
- Glass – many food items are already sold in glass, and it can be used again and again or taken to refilleries instead of using plastic packaging. Use to store leftovers, as a vase for your flowers, or your new favourite water bottle
- Beeswax Coated Fabric – a great replacement for cling wrap and other plastic food covers
- Natural cloth, like cotton – a great alternative to plastic shopping bags, produce bags, nappies, and polyester clothing
- Wood – like bamboo, for example, a great replacement for plastic straws, toothbrushes and utensils
- Platinum-cured Silicone rubber – is actually made from sand. However, make sure you find products without plastic fillers. A great alternative for plastic food coverings and zip lock bags, utensils and much more
Why is this important?
With our land and oceans drowning in plastic (check out the link!), finding daily ways to reduce the amount of plastic we are buying and throwing into landfill is extremely important.
(Yup, we simply cannot go on polluting in this way. We are poisoning ourselves too as plastics reach our own bodies through the food chain … Ed)
Other Benefits
Simple non-plastic replacements are:
- reusable
- often compostable or biodegradable
- money-savers! Take a look at the cost added to your packaged vegetables by plastic – you’re literally paying for the plastic you take off and throw away
Please take action
Pick one non-plastic alternative action to take today. Whether it’s taking a cloth bag with you to the grocery store, or checking the fabric label on your next outfit purchase, every step counts.
Why not tell us about your alternative in the comments section below, or on our social media channels?
This article has been contributed by
Jasmin Harrison
Web: www.word-wizardry.com
Insta: @word_wizardry
Twitter: @wizardryword