Folks always ask me how to reduce single use plastic at home, is this is one of the questions that we should all be asking ourselves considering the rapid deterioration of our planet. Toxic to the environment and incredibly harmful for our health, plastic is among the top villains we ought to be on the lookout for. The journey which turned plastic from one of humanity’s greatest discoveries to becoming the silent culprit of our imminent destruction is long, but the conclusion is short and simple: we are literally drowning in plastic and if we don’t take immediate action, our future on this planet doesn’t seem so bright.
The same material that is clogging the environment is also suffocating our homes, but we are all so used to living in our plastic worlds that we find it almost impossible to imagine a future without it. If you take a quick glance around your house, you will soon realize just how much you are surrounded by plastic. But don’t be fooled! There is even more than the eye can see.
And since it’s obvious by now that living in plastic is not at all fantastic unless you are Barbie and Ken, a new year resolution for all of us should be to find how to reduce single use plastic at home in the most efficient way.
Toxins in Plastic
Did you know that the single use plastic products that we are using every day can make us sick? Unfortunately they can, and they do! Any type of plastic material, in constant contact with our bodies, ingested or inhaled, may lead to skin allergies, asthma attacks, reproductive issues and even cancer. More than that, each time we throw away the single use plastic products without properly sorting them towards recycling, the plastic waste will get released in nature, causing the destruction of the whole ecosystem and marine life. The conclusion is simple: let’s do ourselves and nature a favor and invest only in recyclable, reusable, compostable or biodegradable products! A great start is investing in reusable bags, coffee mugs, and water bottles.
If you haven’t heard by now, there’s a global war out there against single use plastic. Governments of many countries around the world are adopting laws which ban single use plastic bags, in an attempt to reduce the damage caused by one of the most common types of trash that fills our environment. The measures against plastic bags are diverse, and in some cases end up taking the form of huge fines or even jail time for those that are producing and selling them.
By using an organic cotton shopping bag, you are not only helping the planet, but you are also giving a positive example to others, especially our children. These bags are also made with solar power energy and shipped plastic-free, so you can purchase with ease knowing you aren’t causing more harm to the planet.
Plastic bags are not the only products that we should remove from our kitchen, and ultimately, from our lives. Water bottles, straws, food storage containers and even coffee and tea-bags are all elements that contribute to the ʺplastic paradiseʺ that our kitchens have turned into nowadays. Eating and drinking from any form of plastic can play great havoc on our bodies, so be mindful about what you buy and use, and only stick to eco-friendly options that are also safe for your health.
Reducing Plastic In The Bathroom
Our quest on how to reduce single use plastic at home cannot end without discussing skin-care products. As shocking as it may seem, you will be surprised to find out just how much plastic is hiding in all the products that we are using to pamper and embellish ourselves. From cosmetics to hair dyes, shampoos and even toothpaste, a great majority of them are filled with micro plastics, used either as emulsifier agents or cheap fillers. Not only are the artificial ingredients a cause of worry, but also the single use plastic bottles that are containing them.
The good news is that many companies in the beauty industry are trying to find a solution to combating plastic from both their products and their packages by only using sustainable materials that are friendly to the environment. This is very reassuring for all of us that love to look fabulous but are on the lookout for a plastic-free beauty life.
As daunting and confusing as the steps towards a home free of plastic might seem, it is only up to us to change the frightening stats of our global deterioration. If this post got you worried and you are determined to make a change, I just have one last piece of advice: don’t delay and start taking measures today! The whole planet is waiting for us to take a stand and bring our contribution to solving the single use plastic pollution crisis.
