5 Easy Steps Start A Plastic Free 2021

A Plastic Free 2021 is hard for everybody, it is no simple task, however, choosing some simple steps into your current lifestyle will help others do so as well. 

Here Are some simple steps to guide you on your journey. 

SOAP

Your shower habits can have a positive impact on the environment by swapping out the single-use plastic packaged shower and shave products for bars of soap.

Making the switch from shower gel to bars of soap is an easy way to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. Bar soaps come in different blends to suit body washing, face wash, shampoo, and shaving, so your line-up of bottles may become a line-up of bars. 

Some people also go one step further and check the ingredients of the soap to ensure they don’t contain palm oil, which contributes to deforestation.

Bar soap can often be purchased without packaging, especially in bulk food, health, and organic stores. 

DENTAL CARE

You can go plastic-free with your dental care, by finding more sustainable alternatives to toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss.

More and more people are choosing toothbrushes are made from sustainable, compostable materials, such as bamboo. Be aware though, bristles are usually still made from plastic, so you’ll need to cut them off before composting or reusing your bamboo toothbrush handle.

Purchasing a toothbrush with a replaceable head can eliminate the need to continually purchase a new plastic brush every few months, too.

When it comes to toothpaste, many health and organic stores sell plastic-free alternatives.

BULK FOOD

Often pre-packaged food and drinks can be avoided by shopping at a bulk food store or choosing the loose option at the grocery store.

From produce to cereal, drinks to snacks, the shelves of grocery stores can be filled to the brim with plastic packaging. When beginning your plastic-free journey, this might have become alarmingly apparent to you. 

Bulk and loose foods can offer a solution to this. Many people keep a shopping list and visit their bulk food store just once a month, to stock up on items such as flour, nuts, dishwashing liquid, and more, in a way that doesn’t use single-use plastic.

Most bulk food stores and many general stores have paper bags that you can fill, or you can bring your own reusable produce bags, containers, and glass jars. You, or the counter assistant,  can weigh your container before you fill it so that you’re only paying for the product, not the weight of your container.

SHOPPING BAGS

Plastic bags are incredibly dangerous to our wildlife and the environment. Bring your own reusable bags and help put an end to this plastic waste.

Reusable shopping bags are a fantastic alternative to single-use plastic bags. It’s a great idea to keep a stash of your reusable bags somewhere where you’ll remember them; like in the boot of your car or by your front door. You can also get into the habit of writing a reminder to yourself at the start of each grocery shopping list.

Reusable bags go beyond just grocery shopping – bring them along for all shopping trips! There are even purse/pocket-sized reusable bags that you can keep on hand for emergencies.

COFFEE CUPS

Most coffee cups aren’t recycled. By bringing your own reusable coffee cup, or taking the time to dine-in at your favorite café, you can make a huge difference.

You can easily avoid takeaway coffee cups by bringing along your own reusable alternative. There are many reusable coffee cups available on the market. Keep it in your bag or on your desk at work; wherever you’ll remember to use it.

Many people choose socially and environmentally-friendly reusables made of ceramic, glass, plastic, or stainless steel.

You don’t even need to purchase a special cup. You can bring a mug or jar from home – just be conscious of using items that can heat up or don’t travel well if you’re going far.

If you forget your reusable alternative and don’t have time to dine-in, consider going without. It might not be easy, but will probably mean you never forget again!