Alternatives to using Plastic in our everyday routine

Plastic – only a necessity, do not use for convenience!

Alternatives to using Plastic in our everyday routine.

Our dependency on plastic has increased to an extent, we have reached a point where we are submerged in plastic. Plastic has turned from a friend to a foe. Plastic is harming every aspect of nature, living and non-living. Debris of plastic can be found from the North Pole to the South Pole, floating around the globe. According to Forbes, plastic is found in the guts of almost 90% of sea birds, and more than 50% of the sea turtle and is even impacting whales. And it is predicted that the mass of the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the mass of the fish residing in it. 

We need to do better and can do better by becoming conscious consumers. The choices we make need to make a positive impact on the environment. While we do not understand every aspect of recycling plastic, it involves market demand, price determinations, local regulations, etc. But as a consumer you hold a lot of power here, you can choose the kind of impact you want to make.

Multiple ambitious entrepreneurs are fighting for a better and sustainable future, by creating eco-friendly products that can be the perfect alternative to plastic products. Here are some products that you can incorporate into your life to be more sustainable.

Saran Wrap doesn’t have to be your wrapping buddy

Saran wrap (plastic wrap for wrapping food items) also known as cling film is made of plastic and cannot be compostable. There are two alternatives to this, first is the reusable silicone dish cover and second is the wax paper. Wax paper can be used for wrapping food items.

Steel equals Sustainability

Instead of using plastic containers, plastic glasses, plastic plates and similar plastic items in the kitchen, trying using steel items instead. It is one of the most sustainable materials, it is permanent, reusable and one of the most recycled substances on the planet. In India we do use steel utensils to a large extent, now we need to continue this practice and further encourage the future generation to incorporate more steel items in their day-to-day life.

Glass Jars will go a long way

Plastic containers have the potential to leak chemicals into their contents as well as the environment. This may occur, particularly, when you microwave food in plastic or transfer hot things into a plastic container. Glass has no hazardous effects, contains no substances that might be dangerous, and overall has no bad effects on your health. Compared to plastic, it has fewer pores. Additionally, even when kept confined for extended periods, it has great resistance to leaching into your product. It is time to upgrade your kitchen to an eco-friendly kitchen.

Eco-friendly Dish Cleaning

It is quite hard to clean a dish without a sponge, but it is harder to recycle a sponge made out of polyester and polyurethane and now add the terrible recycling rates, it is a no-brainer to identify the degree of negative impact coming out of every kitchen in the world. But there is a solution, one can switch to sponges made out of coconut coir and natural rubber latex. The best part is, these sponges can be decomposed as well.

Bid farewell to infamous Plastic Straws

Everyone today is aware of the dangers of plastic straws. Millions of restaurants have stopped using plastic straws, and have replaced plastic straws with decomposable & eco-friendly straws. Some of the eco-friendly materials that can be used to create straws are steel, glass, silicone, metal, bamboo, and paper. For kids’ silicone straws, paper straws, and bamboo straws are the safer option.

Floss to Sustainability

Most dental floss is packaged in plastic and the floss itself is typically made of plastic as well. Nylon thread has particularly severe effects on marine life if it ends up in the ocean, is very hard to recycle, and takes decades or even longer to decompose in landfills. A great alternative would be waxed silk thread, a fantastic substitute for nylon, a zero-waste dental floss, which is often wrapped in glass. But if you are vegan or vegetarian and do not prefer to use animal-based products, you can always go for vegan floss, It is made of 80% bamboo and 20% nylon, and even though it contains some plastic, it is still a great low-waste item that vegans can use without making any concessions.

Smile to Sustainability

Toothbrush a very important tool in our life can take up to four hundred years to decompose. Four centuries! Your toothbrushes will have the privilege to meet your successors. Additionally, burning it won't get rid of it without effects because burning plastic releases very harmful compounds. A bamboo brush is an ideal alternative. They last for almost as long as is suggested for plastic toothbrushes and are composed of primarily natural, biodegradable materials (although the bristles are often made of nylon, so they aren't 100% biodegradable). But something is better than nothing!

Clean Hair, Clean Nature

Using shampoo bars in place of plastic shampoo bottles is the greatest approach to eliminate the need for them. Many shampoo bars on the market now don't include substances connected to deforestation. Unlike a plastic shampoo container, these shampoo bars have minimum packaging and are wrapped in biodegradable paper. Shampoo sachets are the worse. These plastic sachets, even though extremely convenient for travel, cannot be recycled at all and are dumped polluting our land and oceans.

Sustainable Wardrobe Needs Sustainable Wardrobe Accessories

Why use plastic hangers when you can use wooden or steel hangers? Apart from being eco-friendly, wooden hangers do not bend like plastic hangers. They are perfect for preserving the clothing's integrity and do not break when heavier sweaters, jackets, coats, etc. are pulled. Additionally, plastic hangers tend to slip and do a poor job of maintaining the form of your garments. Wooden hangers are made from environmentally friendly natural resources. Wooden hangers are best but if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, steel hangers also do the same job. 

Jute bags over Plastic bags

It is no news that single use plastic bag is the prime reason for environmental deterioration. Jute on the other hand is one of the most environmentally conscious fabrics in the world. It grows without the utilization of pesticides or fertilizer, may improve the fertility of the soil it grows in, is fully biodegradable, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen (even quicker than trees do), and also doesn't release microfibers, minimizing pollution of rivers. Unlike plastic carry bags, jute bags are strong and capable of supporting higher weight. It is also long-lasting and resistant to tearing, unlike paper and plastic bags.

All in all, we know that a plastic-free home is a possibility, there are alternatives that are equally good and eco-friendly. It is time to reduce our plastic footprint and support businesses that are providing us with eco-friendly products. From toothbrushes to wardrobes, we have better alternatives. One of the primary habits to lead a sustainable life is to reuse, and this article helps you identify multiple eco-friendly alternatives that are reusable. We only need to make moderate adjustments, just replace a few products, these small replacements and changes collectively have the power to make a giant impact. Sustainable & eco-friendly life is a journey, so take one step at a time but make sure that you are moving forward. We have one planet only and it needs to be preserved for our future generations, we owe it to them and we owe it to us as well.