Living a plastic-reduced life is easy and fun. Here we share 7 smart tips that are simple to use in your everyday life.
1. Bring your own water bottle
If you want to avoid buying drinking water in single-use plastic bottles when you're on the go, bring your own reusable water bottle.
They are easy to refill throughout the day, and most stores and gas stations are accommodating and allow you to refill your water bottle there.
2. Use a cloth bag when shopping
Bring one or more cloth bags when you go grocery shopping or if you're just heading out into town for a bit. A cloth bag or mesh bag is always handy and they are usually convenient and fit easily in a jacket pocket, handbag, backpack, or car.
By bringing your own cloth bag, you save both money and reduce unnecessary plastic use.
3. Switch your plastic toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush
Every year, over 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes end up in landfills and oceans worldwide. These will never break down, so it’s an easy choice to buy a toothbrush made of bamboo or wood.
A bamboo toothbrush has a handle made from moso bamboo, and the bristles are usually bio-based or made of nylon. The bristles can be easily removed with pliers for recycling, and the toothbrush handle can then be composted in your regular household compost.
4. Bring your own thin cloth bags for fruits & vegetables when grocery shopping
Have you also noticed how many single-use plastic bags we pick up when shopping for fruits and vegetables? These single-use plastic bags usually only last one use before being thrown away, which feels like a huge waste of resources when there are other options.
Bring reusable small cloth bags and put your vegetables and fruits in them. The cloth bags can be washed and reused again and again.
These smart and practical cloth bags can be used for much more than just groceries. They are perfect for travel to keep small items from getting lost or to organize your packing.
5. Use Bee’s Wrap or Abeego instead of plastic wrap
It’s easy to avoid plastic wrap by using beeswax wraps from, for example, Bee’s Wrap (there are now also plant-based wraps) or Abeego.
Beeswax wraps can be used to wrap bread, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. They can also be used to cover a bowl, dish, or container.
Beeswax wraps are coated with beeswax, jojoba oil, and resin, which have antibacterial properties that help keep food fresh longer.
6. Bring your lunch in a stainless steel or glass container
Hot food and plastic are never a good idea. That’s why you should use a container made of glass or stainless steel. There are many different models and sizes, so it’s not hard to find one that suits your needs.
Lunch can easily be packed in a food container, and if you have sides like salad or sauces, they usually stay freshest in their own small jar.
If you’re ordering takeout, you can ask your restaurant if it’s possible to bring your own food container for them to fill. This way, you avoid styrofoam plastic, which most takeout containers are made of.
7. Bring your own coffee cup
Skip single-use plastic cups by bringing your Klean Kanteen to your coffee spot and ask them to pour your coffee into your reusable cup.
At many gas stations, you serve yourself coffee, so it’s just as easy to fill your own reusable cup as it is to take a single-use plastic cup. Usually, it’s no problem to ask for your coffee to be served in your own cup if you’re being served.
On our website, you’ll find a selection of plastic-free kitchen items and products for a more sustainable kitchen.
Original post written by Sara Mårtensson, founder of Lapland Eco Store, which since 2021 is part of Glimja.
