Saying no to plastics isn’t always as simple as it sounds. While some products, like one-use plastic cutleries, are easy to spot, others are not as obvious. Here are 7 eco-friendly alternatives for everyday items to help you cut down on plastics.
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Reusable straws
If you’ve heard the many heart-wrenching accounts of sea turtles with plastic straws lodged firmly up their nostrils, you’d know the dire consequences of using them. Fortunately, there are many alternatives available on the market these days, with bamboo and stainless-steel straws being the most popular.
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Reusable water bottles
Instead of buying drinks in plastic bottles, invest in a sturdy bottle that you can keep using for years to come. There is a wide range of stainless steel and glass bottles available to suit different needs, including Thermos® One-Push Tumblers, which gives you the added bonus of keeping your drinks hot or cold for hours.
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Reusable shopping bags
Take your pick of mesh, cloth or canvas totes and bring them along on your grocery runs or shopping sprees so you can say no to plastic bags at the stores. Besides giving you the option of picking out designs to suit your style, these fabric bags are also much more comfortable to carry around.
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Reusable lunch boxes
Whether you’re packing your own lunch or getting takeaway, use your own food container instead of disposable plastic boxes. Bringing home-cooked meals not only means you’d have a healthier diet, but it will also help you avoid purchasing food with excess packaging. Try using Thermos® Food Jars or Thermos® Lunch Totes. -
Biodegradable cutlery and tableware
While you should always opt for reusable cutleries and tableware, it’s sometimes hard to avoid using disposable ones when you’re hosting a large party. Even then, you can still say no to plastic by choosing biodegradable forks, spoons, cups, and plates made from wood, bamboo, corn husk, or other plant-based materials.
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Natural fiber clothing
Did you know that there may be plastic in your everyday clothes? Materials like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers all contain some form of plastic, which can leach into our water system when washed, causing microplastic pollution. Switch to sustainable fabrics, like organic cotton, wool, hemp, or bamboo, for a greener wardrobe.
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Microbeads-free cosmetic products
Millions of plastic microbeads are washed down the drain each year, threatening the lives of marine animals that ingest these particles. To check if your skincare products contain microbeads, look out for ingredients like polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polymethyl methacrylate. Make your beauty regime eco-friendly with alternatives, like exfoliators with walnut shell and cleansers with charcoal or oatmeal.
