100 Steps To A Plastic-Free Life My Plastic-Free Life

7/20/2017 100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life My Plastic-free Life
100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life
Do you think its possible to live life without plastic? Or to at least live with less of it? Check out this
list of plastic-free and less plastic alternatives and see for yourself.
The list is not meant to be overwhelming but simply to show what is possible. Choose a few that
seem doable and that will make the most impact. No one can do it all at once. But we can all get
started!
If you still have questions after looking over this list, use the search bar above for more plastic-free
ideas. Or read my book Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too, your
complete guide to living a life with less plastic. And if you like what you see here, please use the
email link above to forward this list on to the people you love. We can all make a difference.
Note: If you make a purchase via any product links on this site, I may earn a small percentage to
support my plastic-free mission.
https://myplasticfreelife.com/plasticfreeguide/ 1/43
01 - Top Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste
1. Give up bottled water.
Not only does it come in a plastic bottle, but tremendous resources are used to extract, bottle,
and ship it. And many brands of bottled water are simply filtered tap water. Get a reusable
stainless steel bottle (Klean Kanteen has just come out with a completely plastic-free water
bottle no plastic on the cap at all!) or stainless steel travel mug, fill it up with tap water
before leaving the house, and refill it wherever you happen to be. I dont recommend reusable
plastic or aluminum bottles. Plastic may leach chemicals into the water and aluminum bottles
are lined with an epoxy resin, some of which has also found to leach into water depending on
the brand. Why take a chance? Read my posts about bottled water for more information.
2. Carry reusable shopping bags.
Carry whatever works for you. Some people like reusable canvas totes (such as those from
Eco-Bags Products or Project GreenBag.) Others prefer to put their purchases into a backpack
or messenger bag. Do you often forget your reusable bags? ChicoBags are a great emergency
alternative. While they are made from synthetic materials, they compress into their own
attached stuff sack, which makes them very convenient and likely to be used. I carry several of
them in my purse so I am never without a bag. If you have a car, keep your grocery bags in it
and remember to bring them into the store with you! And one more thing: reusable bags are
not just for groceries! Carry them for all your purchases, from electronics to clothing.
Back to top
02 - Eating and Drinking on the Go
3. Carry your own containers for take out food and leftovers.
Request take out places use your container instead of their disposable one. If they wont
do it, give them a Take Out Without card to help them understand why they should. Some
examples of convenient containers are:

Stainless containers from Life Without Plastic, Eco Lunchbox, LunchBots, and others.
Stainless steel containers sold at some camping supply stores
Think bringing your own containers is too much of a hassle and wont make a difference?
Please check out my posts Carrying Our Own Containers: Powerful Action or Pointless
Inconvenience?
4. Carry a stainless steel travel mug or water bottle at all times for coffee
and other drinks while out in the world.
(I use my travel mug for water instead of a water bottle.) Besides the plastic lid and plastic
straw, paper cups are lined with a plastic coating. When I first began this project, I got in the
habit of requesting no lid and no straw when ordering a drink in a disposable paper cup. But
nowadays, if Ive forgotten my mug, I simply do without until I can find a water fountain or sit-
down cafe or restaurant with durable cups and glasses. This process helps me to remember my
reusable mug next time.
5. Carry reusable utensils and glass drinking straws.
I keep a To-Go-Ware bamboo utensil set and a couple of GlassDharma drinking straws in my
purse at all times. And actually, I didnt need to go out and buy the bamboo. I could have just
as easily used my own stainless steel utensils. Check out blogger Mindful Mommas cute DIY
utensil wrap.
6. When ordering pizza, say no to the little plastic table in the middle of
the pizza box.
Its called a package saver. Think about it. A single use plastic device meant to save a single
use cardboard box. What about all the marine animals that swallow that type of disposable
plastic? It doesnt save them, does it? When ordering, say, Please dont put that little white
plastic thing in the middle of the pizza. Theyll know what you mean.
7. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone.
Instead of keeping containers of ice cream in the freezer, I will enjoy the occasional ice cream
cone while Im out. That keeps my ice cream consumption down, which is better for my health,
and it also does away with the plastic-lined containers as well. Ice cream cones require zero
container or utensil waste. If I do want to bring some home, I can have my ice cream
handpacked in my own container.
Back to top
03 - Grocery Shopping
8. Cut out sodas, juices, and all other plastic-bottled beverages.
Ive made the decision to eat fresh fruit instead of buying juice. This eliminates the need for all
disposable bottles glass as well as plastic. I dont drink sugary sodas, but I do like seltzer
water. Especially in the summer. So I got a Soda Stream Penguin soda maker for those times I
crave some fizz. The soda maker itself is plastic, but the carafes are glass, and the soda maker
replaces hundreds of disposable bottles. Whats more, the reusable CO2 cartridges are returned
to the manufacturer for refilling.
9. Buy fresh bread that comes in either paper bags or no bags.
At the farmers market or natural food stores I can buy bread that comes in only paper. At the
bakery down the street, I can have my bread placed in my own cloth bag and avoid all
packaging. Bread keeps fresh when stored in the cloth bag inside an airtight tin. I reuse a
popcorn tin that was sent to me as a gift several years ago. Often, thrift stores have more of
these tins than they know what to do with. Fresh bread is a bit more expensive than its plastic-
packaged cousins, but to me, its worth it. And since I buy so few new things, I can afford to
spend more for quality, plastic-free food. See my post Fresh Bread: Buy It, Store It, Keep It
Fresh Without Plastic.
10. Return containers for berries, cherry tomatoes, etc. to the farmers
market to be reused.
One reader asked what I do about cherry tomatoes or berries since they can get crushed in
reusable bag. I buy them at the farmers market in the green plastic basket and then return it
to the farmer each week for a refill, so I never have to take new ones. Dont have a farmers
market nearby? Ask your local grocer to take them back. Or empty your berries into your own
container before leaving the store and leave the plastic basket behind. If enough of us do this,
perhaps merchants will take note.
11. Bring your own container for meat and prepared foods
I take my own containers with me to the butcher counter at Whole Foods or local butcher shop.
(While the humans in our house dont each much meat, the kitties do.) The butcher can weigh
the container and deduct the weight, just as is done with bulk foods. The servers at the
deli/prepared foods counter can do the same thing. Just ask. (Read about Buying and Storing
Meat without Plastic and Plastic-Free Beef Jerky.)
12. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles.
Many areas have local dairies that provides milk in returnable glass bottles rather than plastic
or plastic-coated cardboard (yes, all cardboard milk containers are coated inside and out with
plastic, not wax.) In my area, I buy Straus milk, which is available in natural grocery stores.
Unfortunately, the milk bottle does contain an unrecyclable plastic cap. But I would rather buy
milk in a glass bottle capped with plastic than milk contained in plastic on all sides.
13. Buy large wheels of unwrapped cheese.
They can be hard to find, but when I do come across plastic-free cheese, I buy the whole
thing. Going in on it with friends can make it more affordable. Check out my instructions for
storing cheese without plastic.
14. Try to choose only wine bottled in glass with natural cork stoppers.
This is kind of a trial and error project since you cant see the stopper until you open the bottle.
Theres a mobile website called Corkwatch you can use to see what kind of stopperplastic or
natural corkis in a particular wine bottle before you purchase it. If you havent already, please
read this post about endangered cork forests and why its important to support them by
choosing natural cork over plastic stoppers or metal screw caps (which contain BPA in the
lining.)
15. Let go of frozen convenience foods.
This was a hard one. I agonized for a while over which brands of frozen meals used the best
containers, but in the end there was just no sound alternative. They all use plastic. Even frozen
food trays that seem to be made of cardboard are lined with plastic. The more we limit our
consumption of frozen convenience foods, the less plastic waste well generate and the
healthier well be!
16. Give up chewing gum.
Did you know almost all chewing gum is made from plastic? Thats right. When youre chewing
gum, youre chewing on plastic. Read more about plastic in chewing gum here.
17. Buy from bulk bins as often as possible.
We have some great bulk food stores here in the Bay Area (Rainbow, Berkeley Bowl, Whole
Foods, for example) and I can get almost all dry foods as well as some personal care products
from the bulk bins. These foods include rice and other grains, pasta, beans (learning to cook
dried beans is an important part of plastic-free living), seeds, nuts, all kinds of flour, baking
soda and other dry baking ingredients, cereal and granola, pretzels and chips, some candy,
tofu, oils, nut butters, olives, herbs, tea & coffee, and more things than I can think of right
now.
The key is bringing my own reusable bags and containers with me to the store. You can carry
the same kind of cotton bags for bulk purchases as for produce (see above.) Glass jars and
other containers work great as well. Why shop from bulk bins and take new plastic bags?
A question I am frequently asked is how to avoid paying for the additional weight of the
container. Stores have various methods for deducting the container weight. At Whole Foods, for
example, I take my containers to the customer service desk to have them weighed before
filling. That weight is then deducted from the total weight of the item at the checkout counter.
At Berkeley Bowl, empty containers are weighed at the Bulk Counter and then weighed again at
the same counter when full before checking out. At Rainbow Grocery, customers weigh their
own containers. And all the cotton bags that I use are printed with the tare weight on their
tags.
Concerned about cross contamination for people with allergies? Check out my post on avoiding
gluten while still living plastic-free.
Even if you live in an area that does not have bulk food stores, you can still buy non-perishable
goods in large size packages, which will decrease the amount of plastic used overall.
18. Say no to plastic produce bags.
They are generally unnecessary. What are we worried about? That our apples wont get along
with our broccoli during the trip home? Or is it that the produce will get dirty? Hey, it grew in
the dirt, and were going to wash it anyway, right? At the grocery store, I put most produce
directly into my cart and then into my reusable bag.
If you do feel you want a separate bag for produce, cloth options are available. Some
alternatives are Ambatalia, ECOBAGS, ChicoBag produce bags, or handmade bags from Etsy
sellers. Check out this video of a woman who can make five reusable bags from one T-shirt!
Wondering how to store your produce without plastic once you get it home? Check out this
extensive list of ways to buy and store produce without plastic, or specifically buying and
storing loose lettuce and leafy greens. (Heres why I never use Evert Fresh green bags.)
19. Shop your local farmers market.
Farmers markets are a great way to buy fresh, local produce without plastic, as long as you
remember to bring your own bags. Normally, the fruits and vegetables at farmers markets
dont even have those little plastic stickers on them. And for small fruits like berries and
cherry tomatoes, use your own container or bag and hand the vendors plastic container back
to reuse. Read more about farmers markets going plastic-free.
Back to top
04 - Household Cleaning
20. Clean with vinegar and water.
I use a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water as an all-purpose spray cleaner (storing it in
a reused spray bottle) and produce wash. I buy Spectrum vinegar which comes in a glass
bottle. Only the cap is plastic.
21. Baking soda is a fantastic scouring powder.

22. Use powdered dishwasher detergent in a cardboard box.
23. Hand wash dishes without plastic.
Use baking soda or bar soap. Seriously, Ive been using baking soda to hand wash dishes for
several months now. It scours well and leaves dishes feeling squeaky clean.
For really tough baked-on messes, I use a Chore Boy copper scrubber, which comes in a
cardboard box with no plastic.
24. Use natural cleaning cloths and scrubbers instead of plastic scrubbers
and synthetic sponges:
Compressed natural cellulose sponges are often sold without any plastic packaging
because they dont need to be kept moist; they expand when wet.
Coconut coir brushesare great for cleaning water bottles and scrubbing dirty dishes.
Skoy cloths are made from cotton and cellulose, work like a cloth, absorb like a sponge,
and can take the place of 15 rolls of paper towels.
And of course, good old rags made from old clothing and towels are free and probably the
greenest option of all.
25. Wash laundry with soap nuts or laundry powders without a plastic
scoop.
Look for soap nuts in plastic-free packaging.

Borax comes in a cardboard box.
Read all about plastic-free laundry methods here.
Treat laundry stains with a borax/water paste or with a handmade laundry stain bar. Try
the stain remover sticks from Juniperseed Mercantile or Buncha Farmers.
26. A reusable Swiffer cloth is great for those of us who already own a
Swiffer mop.
If you dont know what a Swiffer is, dont worry about it. Its plastic and you dont need one.
But if you already own a Swiffer mop, check out the reusable Swiffer cloths from Juniperseed
Mercantile .
27. Use natural rubber gloves.
When I needed a pair of rubber gloves (for some disgusting task I cant remember what) I
opted for Casabella 100% latex gloves lined with 100% cotton flocking. Yeah, theyre girlie
pink. But at least I didnt have to buy plastic. An even better option are If You Care brand FSC-
certified natural rubber gloves.
Back to top
05 - Personal Care
28. Check labels of personal care products!
Did you know some facial scrubs and other personal care products contain tiny plastic beads?
Avoid anything with polyethylene listed as an ingredient. Read my post Flushing Plastic Down
The Drain! for more information.
29. Use bar soap instead of liquid hand soap.
People sometimes worry that sharing a bar of soap is less sanitary than sharing a bottle of
liquid soap. But think about it: the bar soap gets rinsed off every time you use it. The plastic
pump? Not so much. Where do you think the most germs are accumulating?
30. Give up shampoo in plastic bottles.
There are several plastic-free options.
The No-Poo method uses a baking soda & water wash and an apple cider vinegar rinse.
Thats the method I use, and the number of people who swear by it is growing.
If No-Poo seems too hard-core, there are solid shampoo bars you can use. Brands
include:
Aquarian Bath shampoo bars
J.R. Liggetts Old Fashioned shampoo bar
Or try a searching for shampoo + bar on Etsy.com and request that the seller send your
shampoo bar without any plastic packaging.
31. Try hair salves and pomades in metal tins or glass jars.
My favorite product used to be one called Product, which only contains a handful of ingredients
and came in a glass jar, albeit with a plastic cap. And then I discovered Made-On Second Life
Hair Butter, and my life changed completely. This stuff is awesome for taming frizzies if you
have curly hair like I do.
32. Color hair with henna purchased without plastic packaging.
Read about how I purchase henna in bulk or in solid form without plastic and how I mix and
apply it to cover those gray hairs that make me look older than I feel.
33. Baking soda is the best deodorant EVER.
Instead of deodorant in a plastic container, I use baking soda mixed with a few drops of tea
tree oil applied to dry underarms with a reusable cotton round. It works better than any
commercial deodorant I have ever used. Seriously. If you dont think baking soda deo is your
thing, there are other options. Read my Great Big Plastic-Free Non-Toxic Deodorant Review.
But honestly? Try the baking soda first. No kidding. I would use it even if I werent trying to
cut down my plastic consumption.
34. Use soap instead of canned shave cream.
There are shave soaps especially made for that purpose (Simmons, Williams) but Ive found
that any rich soap bar will do.
35. Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers.
Organic Essence packages its body lotions in compostable cardboard jars and its lip balms in
ingenious cardboard tubes that squeeze from the end. There are also lotion bars and lip balms
and glosses that come in glass or metal containers. And Ive also made my own homemade
lotion, but now that Organic Essence is using responsible packaging, Ill leave the lotion-making
to them.
36. Switch from a plastic razor to a second hand safety razor.
I found mine in an antique store. More on the razor and the blades here.
37. Use less plastic tooth paste/powder, toothbrush, and floss.
Read about toothpaste/powder/soap choices here.

Read the truth about biodegradable toothbrushes and compare less plastic toothbrush
alternatives here and here.
Find plastic-free, zero waste dental floss.
38. Coconut oil lube.
It really works, and its natural anti-fungal properties are particularly good for women. But be
aware the oil-based lubes dont play well with latex.
39. Choose toilet paper thats not wrapped in plastic.
Seventh Generation recycled individually wrapped toilet paper can be ordered by the case
through Amazon.com. It comes in a cardboard box without any plastic wrapping. Evergreen and
Bumboosa are also plastic-free brands.
40. Use plastic-free feminine hygiene products
Some of the options include washable cloth liners and pads. One great brand is Luna Pads,
which are made with organic cotton. Or search for cloth + menstrual + pads on Etsy.com.
Remember to ask the seller to ship with no plastic packaging.
Some women prefer the Diva Cup, which can be washed and reinserted.
41. Look into plastic-free sunscreen options.
Ive found two great plastic-free sunscreens: Balm! Baby and Avasol. Read about them here.
Several readers have offered other options. Check out my May 7, 2010 post and especially the
comments for plastic-free sunscreen alternatives.
42. Choose a plastic-free wooden hair brush.
Read about my new plastic-free wooden hairbrush with wooden bristles here.
Back to top
06 - Lunch Time at School or Work
43. Keep your own reusable foodware at the office.
I brought a plate, bowl, glass, and utensils to keep at my desk. This way, I can avoid all the
disposable cups, plates, and cutlery in the lunchroom.
44. Carry lunches in reusable stainless containers or cloth bags.
A few examples of good lunch container options are:
PlanetBox lunch boxes

Life Without Plastic lunch sacks and stainless containers
Life Without Plastic insulated lunch bag
Eco Lunchbox containers.
LunchBots stainless snack and sandwich containers
To-Go Ware tiffins and individual sidekick containers
Other options can be found at Reuseit.com. However, be aware that this company does
sell some plastic lunch kits which I do not recommend.
45. Choose reusable cloth sandwich/snack bags.
Read about the many reusable cloth lunch baggie options here.
Back to top
07 - Kitchenware & Food Storage
46. Choose a glass blender.
Avoid the high speed blenders that come with a plastic pitcher. Those containers contain
endocrine-disrupting chemicals. My Waring Pro is all glass and metal and works just fine.
While youre at it, please sign my petition to ask Vita-Mix to bring back the stainless steel
blender pitcher it had when the machine was first invented.
47. Spin salad without plastic.
In one of my favorite posts, I compare an old fashioned wire salad spinner to a plain old cotton
produce bag. It was a fun experiment.
48. Choose glass/stainless steel food storage containers, and reuse what
you have.
We save nearly all glass jars and bottles for purchasing bulk foods and for storing leftovers in
the refrigerator or even the freezer. When we run out of jars, we store leftovers in bowls with
saucers on top instead of plastic wrap. Bowls with saucers are great for stacking. We also use
Anchor glass refrigerator containers to store daily portions of our homemade cat food. More on
that below. The key to freezing foods in glass is not to fill the jar too full, since the food will
expand inside the container. The other caveat is not to heat the glass too quickly. Let foods
thaw at room temperature to avoid glass breakage.
Another option for the refrigerator or freezer are the flat-topped airtight stainless steel
containers from Life Without Plastic. Their flat top makes them easy to stack and the fact that
they are airtight means food can be stored longer. Read about my favorite container here.
49. Learn to preserve foods without plastic.
Read how I freeze produce without plastic freezer bags. You can also learn to can foods in
glass jars or dehydrate produce to keep through the winter.
50. Avoid non-stick cookware.
Cookware coated with Teflon or other resins give off toxic perfluorochemicals when heated.
Weve donated all of our non-stick cookware and replaced it with stainless steel and cast iron. I
did question whether it was better to donate these unhealthy items or to trash them. In the
end, I figured that if someone was looking for non-stick, theyd buy it anyway whether I
donated or not.
51. Choose a stainless steel ice cube tray.
If your old plastic ice trays have worn out, consider replacing them with stainless steel.
52. Use stainless steel popsicle molds.
If you and your children enjoy popsicles in the summertime, consider investing a stainless steel
popsicle mold instead of buying packaged frozen treats or using plastic or silicone popsicle
molds.
53. Stop buying plastic water filter cartridges unless necessary.
We had our water tested to find out if we even needed to be filtering it in the first place. Turns
out, our Oaklandwater is fine without a filter. So we can avoid plastic water filter cartridges
from now on. For those who do need to filter their water, Brita has teamed up with Preserve to
create a way to recycle the plastic cartridges. Here are the details:
https://www.brita.com/recycling-filters/
Back to top
08 - Make It From Scratch
54. Make your own yogurt without a yogurt maker!.
Its easier than you might think, using only a Thermos, a pot, a thermometer, some milk, and
some yogurt from a previous batch. (Your first batch can be store-bought.) See recipe and
instructions here.
55. Make your own soy milk.
If you regularly drink soy or nut milks, you can learn to make your own, either with a soy milk
maker or on the stove. All prepared soy milk cartons contain plastic.
56. Make your own condiments.
Most are not difficult. Ive learned to make my own chocolate syrup, mayonnaise, mustard,
and ketchup. I squeeze fresh lemon and lime juice and keep it in glass jars in the refrigerator.
And we make our own hummus, either from dried chick peas or from the dry mix in the bulk
bin at Whole Foods.
While its true that some of these condiments can be purchased in glass containers, the
homemade versions often taste better and involve less packaging waste overall.
57. Make your own snacks.
You dont have to give up crackers, energy bars, and other snacks that come packaged in
plastic if you learn to make them yourself. Read about my friend Katies awesome e-book,
Healthy Snacks To Go.
Back to top
09 - Buy Secondhand
58. Acquire necessary plastic items used instead of new.
Check second-hand stores, Freecycle, Craigslist or borrow. Car-sharing. Tool-lending. I have

no problem acquiring second-hand plastic. I think its always good to give things as many uses
as possible before sending them to the landfill or recycling center. I also look for items made
from recycled plastic, for the same reason. Heres a partial list of plastic items Ive acquired
second hand since my plastic project began:
Plastic cat litter boxes and cat carriers via Freecycle and thrift shops
Computer monitor from Craigslist when my old one broke and couldnt be repaired
Crock pot
Power strips via Freecycle
Laptop computer from secondhand electronics store
Back to top
10 - Get it Fixed!
59. Repair things when they break.
When a plastic item breaks, try to repair it instead of buying a new one.
Im trying to conserve as many of the tools and appliances that I already own instead of
allowing them to become obsolete or chucking them when they break.
Back to top
11- In the Office
60. Make your own glue.
Heres a recipe for homemade wheat paste that really works.
61. Avoid disposable plastic pens.
I use pencils as much as possible and for times when a pen is necessary, I have switched to a
refillable fountain pen with a cartridge converter that allows me to refill the pen from a bottle of
ink rather than buying new plastic cartridges.
Back to top
12 - No More Plastic Trash Bags
62. Compost food waste.
I bought a 100% recycled plastic Urban Compost Tumbler and started composting. This solves
several plastic problems. First, since we no longer put wet stuff in the garbage, we dont need
plastic garbage bags of any kind (bio- or petro-based.) And I can mix the compost with soil
from the yard to pot my houseplants and avoid buying potting soil in plastic bags.
Lately, though, I have not had the time or energy to maintain my compost bin. But here in
Oakland(as well as Berkeley and San Francisco) we have city-wide composting. We can put all
of our food scraps (including meat) and food-soiled paper, along with yard waste, into our
green bins. Its then picked up with our garbage and taken to a commercial compost facility
where our food scraps are converted into rich soil amendments for residents and local farms.
Read more about collecting garbage without plastic trash bags.
Back to top
13 - Plastic-Free Pet Care
63. Choose natural cat litter.
Integrity cat litter is made from wheat and comes in a paper bag. Its also certified flushable.
We feel okay about flushing our cats poop because theyve tested negative for toxoplasma
gondii and they are indoor-only cats. If you live inCalifornia, you should not flush cat poop
unless you know for sure it is free of the parasite toxoplasma gondii, which is harmful to sea
otters. Outdoor cats are susceptible because they pick it up from rodents.
64. Choose pet toys/furniture made from natural materials instead of

plastic.
Purrfect Play makes beautiful all-natural toys made from wool and catnip.
Ive also found all natural wool, leather, coconut, and feather cat toys at my local pet shop
recently.
But the best cat toys of all? Wine corks, hands down. The real ones, of course. I dont let
my cats play with plastic.
We found a bamboo/sisal scratching post instead of synthetic carpet
Cardboard cat scratchers are great
This natural wood/sisal over-door climber is very sturdy and doesnt contain any synthetic
chemicals that can off-gas into our home our the bodies of our pets.
Our most economical cat climber? We cleared off most of the flat surfaces in our home
(tops of bookshelves, etc.) so that our cats could roam and climb to their hearts content.
65. Avoid plastic bowls.
Did you know plastic food/water bowls cause pet acne?
66. Buy secondhand pet supplies instead of new.
We found our cat litter boxes and plastic cat carrier boxes through Craigslist and from thrift
stores. They are plastic. But they are not new plastic!
67. Learn to make homemade pet food without much plastic.
We make our cat food from scratch instead of buying BPA-lined cans that come shrink-wrapped
in plastic or dry pet food in bags lined with plastic. Our recipe does include a supplement
powder that comes in a plastic bottle, but it lasts two months. Read more about our less plastic
homemade cat food here.
Back to top
14 - Travel
68. Bring your own water bottle even on the plane!
Many people dont know its actually fine to bring your own water on a plane. You just cant
bring water through airport security. So what do you do? Bring an empty water bottle through
security and fill it up at the drinking fountain on the other side. Its really okay. In fact, its
what musician Jackson Browne does!
69. Bring your own snacks.
Avoid plastic-packaged food. Bring your own sandwiches or containers of fruit, cut veggies, trail
mix, or other snacks. But avoid liquid or semi-solid foods when flying.
70. Bring your own utensils.
Why should traveling be any different than staying at home? If youre remembering to bring
your own utensils while at home, dont forget them when you go away.
71. Bring your own travel mug.
Ive traveled to many different states in theU.S.and never had a problem getting my mug filled.
In fact, most cafes these days will give a discount for bringing your own mug. And your mug
can come in handy in hotels that provide plastic or Styrofoam cups in the room instead of real
glasses.
72. Dont forget your headphones.
When flying, bring your own headphones. Most planes will offer you new headphones in plastic
packaging, but you wont need those if you come prepared with your own.
73. Bring your own personal care products.
Skip the free travel size shampoos, soaps, and lotions offered by hotels. Just because theyre
free doesnt mean we should take them. What is the true cost of free when the environment
is at stake? Instead, fill up your own reusable travel- size containers at home. If youre not
checking baggage, make sure they fit in your regulation zip lock bag (U.S.residents).
74. Refuse the mini bar.
Mini bar snacks and drinks are incredibly expensive. And they all come in plastic packages or
bottles. Find real food to eat. Do a little grocery shopping when you reach your destination and
stock your hotel room with healthy snacks in less packaging. Even if you cant avoid plastic
entirely, you can resist single-serving sizes.
75. Choose plastic-free camping equipment.
Going to Burning Man four years in a row forced me to seriously consider alternatives to plastic
camping supplies. I found:
A vintage canvas, wood, & metal camping cot on eBay

A secondhand double-walled 10-gallon container for water (also eBay)
A mostly cotton tent
And so much more
Back to top
15 - Medication and Healthcare
76. Find Do-It-Yourself alternatives for over-the-counter remedies.
Last winter, I tried making my own homemade cough syrup and looked into natural remedies
for heartburn. Lately, Ive been checking into herbs that can be used to promote sleep. I also
learned to do acupressure to treat a headache. Take a look at my favorite plastic-free cold
remedies.
77. Use handkerchiefs instead of paper tissue.
Ive never seen a Kleenex box without any plastic window. More importantly, we can avoid all
waste by opting for reusable hankies. Some people make their own out of old t-shirts and cloth
diapers. I found lots of hankies at a thrift shop. Another ingenious idea is the HankyBook, which
makes carrying a cloth hanky so much neater.
Back to top
16 - No New Plastic Clothing
78. Choose natural fibers.
So much new clothing these days is made from synthetic materials with names like: polyester,
acrylic, lycra, spandex, nylon. In other words, plastic fabric. And all synthetic fabrics create
microfiber pollution when laundered. When buying new clothes, I look for organic cotton,
hemp, ethically-raised wool, and other natural fibers. I avoid conventional cotton because of
pesticides used to grow it. Sometimes the best place to find these materials is online. One of
my favorite sources is Hempest.com. Just be sure and request no plastic packaging when
placing your order.
79. Shop thrift stores.
Buying gently-used secondhand clothing and shoes is a good way to get the styles you want
without buying new plastic except of course for that inevitable tag hanger! Its also a lot less
expensive than buying new.
80. Make your own clothes.
Um as someone who is afraid of the sewing machine, I cant really elaborate on this one. But
I know a lot of you crafty crafters are up for it. Be sure and choose natural fabrics.
81. Look for plastic-free shoes.
For example, Feelgoodz flip flops are made from natural rubber rather than plastic.
82. Alter and Modify Old Shoes and Clothing into New
Do you have old clothes and shoes in the closet that you never wear because they dont fit or
are out of style? Take them to a tailor or cobbler for alteration. During my Buy Nothing New
year in 2016, I had a pair of shoes modified to fit my feet better. Its like having a new pair of
shoes!
Back to top
17 - Holidays and Entertaining
83. Bring your own beverage container & ustensils to parties and events.
If youre not sure whether the host will offer real dishware or disposable plastic, discreetly bring
your own. Or be less discreet, depending on your relationship with the host. I carry a
little stainless steel wine glass (which is good for events where glass is not allowed) and
bamboo utensils with me, just in case.
84. Throw a Zero Waste party.
Heres an example. Provide durable dishes, glasses, utensils. Ask guests to bring their own
dishes or at least cups. Stock up on thrift store utensils and mugs (mixing and matching crazy
mugs can be fun) especially for parties. Request no plastic cling-wrap on potluck offerings.
Ask guests to bring containers for leftovers, as they did at our Thanksgiving potluck.
85. Re-think your Christmas tree.
Most artficial trees are made from toxic PVC. Opt for a real, sustainably-grown and harvested
tree, a live tree that can be planted, or an artificial tree made from natural materials. There
are trees made from recycled cardboard, wood, or even recycled glass bottles.
86. Skip holiday plastic tchotkes.
Make your own plastic-free vegan Easter eggs. Avoid Valentines Day and Halloween plastic
crap. Say no to fake plastic wishbones.
Back to top
18 - Gift Giving and Receiving
87. Learn strategies for green gift-giving.
Give only what will be truly appreciated. Opt for experiences or services (like restaurant meals,
tickets to events, your help with a task) over stuff. Read my Guide: Green Gifts Dont Have to
Suck to learn more.
88. Consider giving charitable gift cards.
But choose wisely and plastic-free. Read my comparison of charitable gift cards here.
89. Request plastic-free gifts for yourself.
It can be challenging to ask friends and family not to give you new plastic. But it can be
done in a kind way. If you dont need any new things, request a donation to your favorite
charity, perhaps.
90. Find ways to wrap gifts without plastic tape.
Heres a method I discovered for myself. And use paper tape for other types of packaging
needs. Of course, reusing gift bags, reusing wrapping paper, and wrapping presents in reusable
cloth bags or furoshiki are the best options.
Back to top
19 - Packing and Shipping Materials
91. Request zero plastic packaging when ordering online.
Im trying to buy fewer things in general, but vendors do sometimes send me products to
review for this blog. When that happens, I include a message to the seller requesting zero
plastic or Styrofoam packaging, including plastic tape. (See my packaging policy here.) When
this doesnt work, Ive started to send back unwanted plastic packaging with a letter of
explanation. And I send back unwanted plastic I receive unsolicited in the mail or on my
doorstep. Here are some examples of innovative zero waste packing materials:
Reused packing materials from packages sent to you. Before buying new packaging
material, use what you already have.
Yesterdays News padded mailers made from recycled newspaper fiber
Jiffy padded mailers (the kind with paper pulp padding rather than plastic bubble padding)
Jet-Cor rigid cardboard mailers
Paper packing tape or Biodegradable Cellulose tape with natural rubber-based adhesive
Molded paper pulp
mushroom packaging molded packing material made from mushrooms
PaperNuts
Geami protective wrap
Expandos
Read more about plastic-free packaging materials here.
92. Get off mailing lists to reduce plastic envelope windows.
I have switched to online billing and online statements; canceled subscriptions; and called to
have my name removed from mailing lists. I want to save paper as well as plastic. Catalog
Choice can help.
Back to top
20 - Electronics & Entertainment
93. Look for secondhand electronics, games, and toys first.
There are so many useful products already in existence that have been gently used and need a
good home. Read about the awesome secondhand computer I bought when my old one wore
out.
94. Choose refurbished equipment from a certified e-steward.
Learn how you can do your part to combat planned obsolescence.
95. Take care of what you have already.
Often we can avoid buying new stuff by keeping the stuff we do have in good condition. I
learned this lesson the hard way when I broke my laptop screen through a stupid accident that
could have been easily avoided.
96. Avoid buying new CDs and DVDs.
They are made from polycarbonate plastic, after all. Instead, I download music and movies and
borrow DVDs from Netflix or the library.
97. Learn to recycle old disks.
You can recycle old disks. But keep in mind that recycling is no substitute to reducing what you
buy in the first place.
98. Choose healthier electronics.
Try to find electronics secondhand rather than buying new plastic, but when you do have to buy
new electronic gadgets, choose those that have the least packaging and toxic materials. For
example, thinksound ear buds are PVC-free, made from wood, and come packaged with almost
no plastic.
99. Find DIY solutions for techno needs.
For example, I knitted a cover for my iPod instead of buying a plastic one, and I crocheted new
headphone ear pads when the foam on my old headphones wore out. And while this is not
exactly techno (in fact, its the opposite), I also knitted and felted a new checkbook cover to
avoid PVC.
Back to top
21 - If You Do Nothing Else
100. Avoid the Worst Plastics
If you do nothing else, try to steer clear of Polyvinyl Chloride (#3 PVC), Polystyrene (#6 PS), &
Polycarbonate (#7 Other). PVC is found in many, many products and causes a whole host of
environmental problems. Read my post about the problems of PVC. PS contains styrene, which
is toxic to the brain and nervous system. PC contains BPA. Read more about BPA here. If you
must use plastic, make sure its not #3, #6, or #7 polycarbonate. (Note: #7 is a catch-all for
many types of plastic that doesnt fit into the first six categories. Biodegradable plastic is also
labeled #7. So when in doubt, ask.)
Back to top
Leave a Reply
499 Comments on "100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life"
Notify of Notify of all new follow-up comments Email
Join the discussion
Sort by: newest | oldest
Jarin
I am thoroughly fascinated. I already try to be environmentally friendly but this brought a lot
to my attention that I had not thought of.
REPLY 5 days 13 hours ago
Karina
One thing that I havent been able to find a good alternative option for is conditioner, any
suggestions? I would be happy to make my own, but havent been able to find any good DIY
recipes for it!
REPLY 13 days 10 hours ago
PCS
Lush do great conditioner bars here in London, comes with no packaging!
REPLY 6 days 5 minutes ago
Jo Brannigan
Can anyone give any ideas on how to pick up dog poop at the park without using a plastic
bag? ;)
REPLY 4 months 16 days ago
Tara
Biodegradable compost bags
Beth Terry Some people use old newspaper. Also, if

you havent yet reduced all the plastic packaging in
your home, you could use any type of plastic that you would otherwise dispose of:
bread bags, cereal bags, chip bags, etc. If you have eliminated that plastic, how
about asking your friends/neighbors for theirs?
Robb
Really comprehensive, informative and aspirational! Thank you
Tone
I really appreciate this articlemany things to try to just do even a little bit to help reduce
the plastic. :)
Biljana
Great inspiration. Happy to be part of a community somewhere, as locally theres no real

plastic free intent.
I have gone mad with not using plastic. It makes me go crazy when in the super market
watching how they put one lemon in separate beg. Arguing when they insist in putting my
staff in plastic.
It has become so tiresome though. I dont know where or what is the line; I have withdrawn
a bit at the moment and without trying to persuade those around me, I just do what I do. I
dont see a great impact that way, but otherwise I burn out.
Anyone any suggestions? :) Do you suggest any golden line (very personal sure but still)
for not loosing it? How?
I do most of the things listed, there are no community composts so I am collecting and
transporting it to a private one every timeI cant do otherwise when I just know where it
ends up <3
Biljana
Two Biljanas reading this at the same time :D
Beth Terry
I hear you. In fact, I have an entire chapter in my book about strategies for how to
handle feeling overwhelmed.
And here are a few blog posts that might be inspiring:
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/01/8-reasons-why-personal-changes-matter/
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2009/08/reusable-bags-stainless-steel-bottles/
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2009/02/i-believe/
Have you thought about blogging or social media as a way to spread the message
when doing it in person gets overwhelming?
Ida
Hi. This was very interesting to read, Im not as dedicated as you but do as much as my
everyday life allows. I have one comment. For your Clothes section you never mention that
the plastic clothes we have release high levels of plasticmicrofibers in every wash (up to
350.000 pieces for every single wash of an old fleece sweater.!) This is pretty new
knowledge, but hugely important as we cannot as of today find a way to remove from the
sea. So when asked, I usually tell people to stop buying fleece, acrylic etc, but also to
handwash what Read more
Beth Terry
Hi Ida. Thank you for the inspiration. Here is my new post about microfibers.
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2017/03/is-your-laundry-polluting-the-ocean-with-
microfibers/
Beth Terry
Youre right. I included information on microfiber pollution from laundry in my book,

but it looks like Ive never written about it on the site. Ill add the topic to my blog to
do list.
Bee
Amazing amount of information! I took some suggestions and will try out the products you
suggestwashcloths, bar shampoos, stainless steel straws and natural deodorant. My 2017
New Years resolution is a reduce plastics challenge and Im positive this is really going to
make a huge impact on my lifestyle far beyond the one year challenge. Im already on board
with some things like no bottled water, buy more clothing at Goodwill and using my own
beverage containers everywhere I go. I plan to reuse more jam jars around the home too for
food and cosmetic storage needs. My next grocery Read more
Lyrica Tyree
Thank you for all the suggestions, clearly much research and care goes into your work. I
never thought of requesting sellers of online purchases I make not use plastic packaging, I
will begin doing that.
Sondra
Thank you for the great article! When you stop to think about it, its amazing how many
unnecessary items came to our lives made of/packaged in plastic. And kitchen appliances,
which sole purpose is to be bought. Personally, Ive never heard of a salad spinner and have
lived happily without it my whole life:) If we look closer, wed discover that all these bring
convenience stuff is just clutter.
Tone
i love my salad spinner because then i dont have to use paper or tea towels to dry,
but honestly, you can buy one and never have to buy anotherive had mine for over
20 years!
Rahel
Thanks a lot for your post. I am trying to avoid plastic and its not always easy. Some things
I do since like forever because thats the way I grew up (use fabric shopping bags, for
example), others I tried to change on the way. What I find most difficult is that most/ many
things are not available in my surrounding (I am living in the Middle East where awareness is
low). I could order through internet but then it would involve shipping by airplane and thats
not what I want either. So I try to find local products, but Read more
Yolanda
This is a great article (writes the woman who is typing on plastic keys.) I want to mention
that many people become sensitive to using baking soda as a deodorant. I make my own
deodorant and it is wonderful, but my girls (3 grown women) cant use it, as they get a rash
from the baking soda in it.
Beth Terry
Very true. Ive written about lots of other deodorant options here:
https://myplasticfreelife.com/2012/08/great-big-plastic-free-non-toxic-deodorant-
review/
Laliy
Hi, I am really inspired by you and reduced use of plastic in my life. I have started a blog
recently and made an Infographic title Plastic Not So Fantastic. Hope you like and share
with your audience and spread awareness as you are doing since so many years.
Here is the Link: http://21bottle.com/plastic-the-convenient-killer/
Thanks
Living In A Sandcastle
This is awesome. Great suggestions! Thank you so much for sharing.

Rebecca
Another alternative to tampons or pads is a diaphragm. It is fitted by a womans health

practitioner, and purchased at a pharmacy. It may last for YEARS when used for menstrual
flow.
Biljana
I use just cotton, it works great for me!
Codi
Just a couple of things- glass straws seem a bit fragile- they make some awesome stainless
steel ones. Also another option for artificial trees- my fiance is allergic to real trees and Im
against cutting down trees just to use them for decoration- we got a used tree for super
cheap. And I dont see why we would ever throw it away, so if you cant find an all natural
artificial tree, thats the way to go. Great post!
Regina
Hi! Another alternative for menstrual products that are plastic-free is a website called
Partypantspads.com. I started using them and love it!
Leontion
Thank you Beth for this wonderful ressource. It will take me weeks to read through your
whole site but this list has inspired me to get cracking on some of the things Ive been
thinking about for years and some things Id never thought of. I left on holiday and just had
tie to grab a small pot of bicarb of soda for deodorant. Just applying it in powder form with a
fingertip worked really well. Ill be making toothpaste too. Some thoghts #3 Already prefer
fruit to juice but have just tasted home made lemonade again for the fist Read more
Brooke
Im concerned with your suggestion of recycled toilet paper. We recently made the switch to
seventh generation recycled, and I was discouraged to learn that recycled tp, paper towels,
and napkins contain BPA.
Beth Terry
Its true. Its a personal choice. For me, the environmental benefits of recycled
outweigh the tiny amount of BPA exposure in this case. I actually addressed the issue
here: https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/12/washing-our-hands-of-bpa-this-winter/
Hemp Man
Farmers markets are a great way to buy fresh, local produce without plastic, as long as you
remember to bring your own bags. I bring my own bags made out of hemp. It is more
durable. https://hemptique.com/
Ro Bailey
I have bags made from unbleached calico and when they get grubby you can wash
them.
REPLY 7 months 1 day ago
Wei
So helpful! Thank u for the exhaustive list. A few follow up questions
1. What dehydrator options can you recommend since many are plastic? I
m on a budget, and wonder if stainless steel trays are good enough or if the plastic casing of
the unit would leech chemicals. Looking at this one, for example, as a lower cost:
http://amzn.to/2ktsJwS
2. If we have to have a water filter, whats an alternative to the Brita or pur plastic pitcher?
chrl
hi,GREAT post!
so any idea on a safe home water delivery company that is also BPA free? we have
Chloramine (combo of Ammonia and Chlorine) in our water (San Francisco area) as well as
who knows what else. Im at a loss to as to what to do. i find myself drinking less water
because of trying to find a healthier option and not being able to. Most filters dont remove
Chlorine and then we have the whole plastic and disposable issue *sigh*..
any thoughts? even on a good filter at this point. thanks! :)
Terry
Chlorine dissipates over time. Let sit in re-usable pitcher in the fridge.
Janet
Nice to see more than the usual tips, so thank you.
What about the toxic plastics that our appliances are now being made of? Apparently it is
becoming a big issue. My new washing machine and vacuum overwhelms my laundry with a
nasty plastic smell, even with the window open.
I dont want these toxic things in my home, but what alternative is there?
REPLY 1 year 7 hours ago
Gero
thank you! great tips! i have been wanting to reduce my plastic consumption for a while now
:)
i am wondering though, why you still consume animal products? they have an even worse
effect on the environment than plastic. or do you avoid plastic mainly for health reasons?
anyways, thanks again :)
REPLY 1 year 11 days ago
ro harvey
what about tupperware, i have not idea what it is made of , i know its plastic, but its so rigid
and mine has not marking on the bottom Its mostly handed down from parents
REPLY 1 year 1 month ago
Beth Terry
I personally dont store food in Tupperware or any other plastic containers because I
dont know what chemicals could leach out. I prefer to follow the precautionary
principle.
Kay
Thank you. I am glad to learn that I am not alone in my endeavour to avoid taking new
plastic bags home and to buy less new items by reusing or choosing recycled products. I love
shopping in secondhand markets!
Milo
You are officially my new favourite person on the internet! Ive been planning my transition
to a plastic-free life recently, and this post filled in a lot of gaps for me. Thanks so much!
Tina
Thanks for some fabulous tips!

I am very interested in making short films on how to reduce, reuse, recycle and refuse. I
would love to track my garbage, especially as to where my plastic ends up. I find most
people are blissfully unaware of what happens to their garbage (many when quizzed are very
interested to find out). I am looking for other people that may be interested or be able to
help direct me on my quest.
Nancy Grilliot
I hVe been using Laundry Magnets for almost a year now, and they are truly awesome! Also
they have wool dryer balls instead of softeners! These are a bit inconvenient but worth it.
REPLY 1 year 2 months ago
Helen Gunthorpe
BusinessKind Myanmar is supporting a Stop Burning Plastic Campaign in MyitKyina, Kachin

State, Myanmar. We are looking for Mentors Moms.. Who is interested?
Harsh
Great post, found it useful.

Guys here could you all sign one of my petition about the same reason plastic waste. Please
support us!
https://www.change.org/p/shri-narendra-modi-and-prakash-javdekar-narendra-modi-smriti-
irani-vinay-shrivastava-devendra-phadnavis-discourage-the-use-of-plastic-containers-in-
indian-educational-institutes?
recruiter=457096790&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=
share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default
Carole
Thanks so much for this very informative post on going plastic free. So many pitfalls when
we shop at the grocery store! I know it is not enough to just take your own re-usable cloth
bags and hope that all the other plastic wrapping and packaging and crap that we take home
each week when we do the grocery run will be recycled. I know that despite putting it into
recycle bins, it is often not the case. I made a decision this year 2016, to try to go as plastic
free as possible. I started with our grocery shop Read more
Shannon
If you included photos in your posts, we could share your content on Pinterest. Please add
some? Excellent resource! Thank you so much.
Beth Terry
Great idea. I have images on all of my blog posts, but for some reason, I never put
one on this page. Just added the image today. Please pin away!
Keerti
Check this link and page for Edible Cutlery!! 100% biodegradable and eco friendly. One can
use this in bulk for parties and get-together.
https://www.facebook.com/HuffingtonPost/videos/10153784778656130/?pnref=story
Kim
Do you have any recommendations for a travel child sippy cup that doesnt spill? Or a
learning cup for babies?
Cal
Sorry, I just went to get you the link for Peppersmith Gum and it turns out they have
stopped using chicle :-(
Cal
You can buy REAL chewing gum in the UK, made from chicle and xylitol by the Peppersmith
brand. I think they
Drew
This thread is awesome! I love reading everyones ideas for new inspiration. I also have a bit
of a large question, and I hope someone on here could help. Im building a tiny house, and
Im trying to make it as plastic-free as possible. So far weve had pretty good luck for most
of our materials. We have had to compromise in a few areas, but one Id rather not have to
skimp on is plumbing. Im concerned about my health, and I want to making something
lasting. There are so many cheap plastic options out there that are supposedly Read more
Leslie
Lots of great ideas for living a more environmentally conscious life. Ill definitely be trying a
lot of the ones that I have not already adopted. I would like to comment though on #65,
where the recommendation is to use your own travel size containers. When my stepmother
was traveling back to the states from Mexico a few years ago, the TSA confiscated her plastic
zip lock bag containing her travel size bottles. Her medication was in the bag as well. When
she inquired why they were taking it, she was told because the bottles did not the number
of Read more
Sally
I was all excited to take my containers to the shops to buy my chicken and deli meats. I
asked them to put the produce in my containers but they first weighed them out in their
plastic bags first and then transferred them into my containers argh!. Maybe Ill have to
give detailed instructions next time. Reminds me of the time I had to teach the hardware
store guy how to measure 1.3m of chain. He got confused because he only had a 1m ruler!
Jackie
The one plastic thing I still dont know how to give up is vitamin bottles. I try to get most of
my health needs taken care of from herbs, but there are some vitamins that are absolutely
essential for my healthand they all come in plastic bottles. Any thoughts? I wonder if I
could write the companies and ask them to send them in a paper bag or something?
Cal
I dont know where you live but Viridian & Solgar are high quality brands in brown
glass bottles.
Evelina
I take three prescriptions a month. All come in plastic containers. I save them
and upcycle when needed for bulk herb container, sewing needles, pins, etc.
once a year I will recycle the remainder but I work really hard to upcycle first.
Katie
Bulk Supplements have MANY supplements in powder form, you would either just
need to weigh them out (on a small gram scale) or you can make your own pills by
using empty veg-based capsules.
Beth Terry
Writing companies to change their packaging is always a good idea, whether they do
it or not.
That said, there are quite a few supplement brands that come in amber glass bottles.
What are you looking for in particular?
Sally
Just read this article and the scientific paper it linked to (well, I read the abstract). Turns out
most commercial plastics leach estrogen like chemicals especially when exposed to heating,
microwaving and UV light
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/tritan-certichem-eastman-bpa-free-
plastic-safe/
Dylan
Shouldnt Soda Stream be on a BDS list? I
believe they are made in Israel. I would not buy anything made or produced in Israel since I
stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Nancy Carr
Hello! I am new to going plastic free but am loving the challenge. I have an idea that I did
not see here. Hopefully I did not miss something and am being redundant. I bought
inexpensive cotton cloth napkins so that we would not use paper napkins or as many paper
towels at home. My husband and I also love to take them with us whenever we go out to eat.
We do not have to ask for more napkins from the waitress and we have a nice sturdy napkin
that is easy to wash. They could certainly be homemade!!
Evelina
I collect vintage cotton table cloths. When they become word or stained, I cut the
good parts into napkin size and use them instead of paper napkins
Tia
Hello,
I have been taking so many steps in my life to change the amount of waste I produce but
perhaps the biggest thing you can do right away for the earth is go vegan. Please everyone
watch Cowspiracy and you will be astonished by the impact animal agriculture has on the
earth. If you have Netflix you can watch it right away. Please help spread the word!
miabchallenge
These ideas are all so great! Were a small campaign thats trying to raise awareness about
the impact that plastic waste is having on the marine environment, and these are some very
useful tips that wed love to include. Out of curiosity, which of these steps would you consider
has been the toughest for you to abide by? Youve done so much!
Beth Terry
The hardest thing is ensuring that online companies dont ship me any plastic
packaging, including plastic packing tape. The solution? Buy a lot less stuff!!!
RAYLEE
Thank you for all of your hard work. I amm doing pretty good as to your standards, but there
is always room for improvement, thans again
mike
Thank you for all the tips Nice Job!
Isabel Schwarzkopf
Hi girls! There is another simple way of reducing plastic from feminine hygiene products ->
https://www.menstrualcup.com/gb I think a menstrual cup is clearly a more green
alternative.
Catherine Sultana
One question: what is verdict on silicon? Silpat or frying pan?

I really like this list, good way for me to gauge where I am on the plastic-free continuum.
Thanks for doing this work!
Beth Terry
There is no verdict yet. It is a polymer. It is not biodegradable. I would use clear,

medical grade silicone for limited applications, but I would not cook with it or use
food grade silicone for much of anything. We just dont know what manufacturers
have added to it.
Load More Comments

100 Steps To A Plastic-Free Life My Plastic-Free Life

Transféré par

Informations du document

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

100 Steps To A Plastic-Free Life My Plastic-Free Life

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

7/20/2017 100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life My Plastic-free Life

100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life

01 - Top Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste

1. Give up bottled water.

2. Carry reusable shopping bags.

02 - Eating and Drinking on the Go

examples of convenient containers are:

5. Carry reusable utensils and glass drinking straws.

7. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone.

8. Cut out sodas, juices, and all other plastic-bottled beverages.

9. Buy fresh bread that comes in either paper bags or no bags.

12. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles.

13. Buy large wheels of unwrapped cheese.

15. Let go of frozen convenience foods.

16. Give up chewing gum.

17. Buy from bulk bins as often as possible.

18. Say no to plastic produce bags.

19. Shop your local farmers market.

20. Clean with vinegar and water.

21. Baking soda is a fantastic scouring powder.

22. Use powdered dishwasher detergent in a cardboard box.

23. Hand wash dishes without plastic.

Look for soap nuts in plastic-free packaging.

27. Use natural rubber gloves.

28. Check labels of personal care products!

29. Use bar soap instead of liquid hand soap.

30. Give up shampoo in plastic bottles.

There are several plastic-free options.

32. Color hair with henna purchased without plastic packaging.

33. Baking soda is the best deodorant EVER.

34. Use soap instead of canned shave cream.

35. Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers.

36. Switch from a plastic razor to a second hand safety razor.

37. Use less plastic tooth paste/powder, toothbrush, and floss.

Read about toothpaste/powder/soap choices here.

38. Coconut oil lube.

39. Choose toilet paper thats not wrapped in plastic.

40. Use plastic-free feminine hygiene products

41. Look into plastic-free sunscreen options.

42. Choose a plastic-free wooden hair brush.

06 - Lunch Time at School or Work

43. Keep your own reusable foodware at the office.

44. Carry lunches in reusable stainless containers or cloth bags.

A few examples of good lunch container options are:

PlanetBox lunch boxes

45. Choose reusable cloth sandwich/snack bags.

07 - Kitchenware & Food Storage

46. Choose a glass blender.

47. Spin salad without plastic.

49. Learn to preserve foods without plastic.

50. Avoid non-stick cookware.

51. Choose a stainless steel ice cube tray.

52. Use stainless steel popsicle molds.

53. Stop buying plastic water filter cartridges unless necessary.

08 - Make It From Scratch

54. Make your own yogurt without a yogurt maker!.

55. Make your own soy milk.

56. Make your own condiments.

57. Make your own snacks.

58. Acquire necessary plastic items used instead of new.

Check second-hand stores, Freecycle, Craigslist or borrow. Car-sharing. Tool-lending. I have

59. Repair things when they break.

11- In the Office