10 Ways to Go Plastic Free

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Recently, we talked about the benefits of going plastic free and why it’s a great idea to opt for reusable options. However, if you are like me then you want to know HOW to go plastic free. Preferably in a nice easy to read, list form.

Now before I dive in and give you some great ways to ditch those plastics, I want to talk about the fact that sometimes it’s just not possible to be completely plastic free. I mean, if you are reading this then you are staring at a screen that is made up of plastic!

However, just because we can’t be 100% plastic free doesn’t mean that making changes doesn’t add up! Even if you only pick on thing from this list to go plastic free on; it will make a difference and you will be healthier because of it.

Don’t get discouraged if you can’t make a huge conversion to a plastic free life, be encouraged that you are willing to make a change; no matter how small it may be.

Without further ado, here are some ways to go plastic free. Dive in and replace all your plastic products, take it slow and do one a month, or just do one and call it good for now; choose the pace that fits you!

10 Ways to Go Plastic Free

Reusable Water Bottles instead of Plastic Water Bottles

Instead of buying plastic disposable water bottles choose to buy one reusable water bottle like these stainless steel ones or even these cool glass ones. Buy a water filter if your tap water is sub par. You will save money and use less plastic!

Glass Food Storage Containers instead of Tupperware

Long gone are the days of tupperware! Make the switch to using glass storage containers like these ones from Pyrex. You don’t need to limit yourself to just glass storage containers; there are also stainless steel ones out there although I don’t know how they fare in the freezer… Also think of glass jars! Mason jars in all sizes are one of my favorite food storage solutions! I have tons of pint sizes but I’ve got some big gallon size jars for my loose leaf tea and oats!

Glass Straws instead of Plastic Straws

This is my favorite switch! We drink smoothies daily here and straws are kind of a must with smoothies! Plastic straws are a disposable item that adds up quickly; both in the landfill and in money.

There’s a reusable solution to plastic straws: reusable ones! My absolute favorite ones are Strawesome glass straws. They are made of borosilicate glass so they don’t break easily. However, if glass isn’t your thing then there are stainless steel straws!

Reusable Baby Bottles instead of Plastic Baby Bottles

Time to revisit baby bottles of years gone by and buy glass baby bottles. Plastic baby bottles are the popular choice but your little one doesn’t need to have chemicals leeching into their drinks and they don’t need to be contributing to the plastic waste at such a young age. Of course, glass bottles aren’t the only option out there. There are also stainless steel baby bottles!

Reusable Grocery Bags and Produce Bags

This is one plastic change that is getting easier to do simply because many cities are now making it mandatory to do! Our city banned plastic bags awhile ago so we bring our reusable grocery bags often and if we forget then we pay for paper bags.

However, there are also reusable produce bags! Did you know that? Skip all those flimsy one use produce bags that we always see floating downstream!

Reusable Travel Utensils instead of Plastic Travel Utensils

If you take your lunch to school or work or if you like to keep a utensil set in the car for eating on the go (I was known to have chopsticks in my car in college!) then choose reusable travel utensils. They make them in bamboo for a more lightweight option but there’s also stainless steel sets. Sure you’ll have to wash them but it’s not that big of a deal.

When Grocery Shopping Buy With Plastic in Mind

This one is not necessarily about making a switch; it’s about not buying in the first place. So many of our groceries come in plastic: “canned food”, packaged meat, even produce can come ridiculously wrapped in plastic sometimes.

Just take a moment to think about if you need to buy those groceries in that form. Maybe switch to the mayo in the glass jar, buying your meat from the butcher where it’s wrapped in butcher paper, and buying eggs in cardboard cartons instead or plastic or styrofoam.

Reusable Wraps instead of Cling Wrap

This one is a newer one for me! Did you know they make reusable wrap that can help replace cling wrap? You’ll want to read all about this alternative to plastic wrap and in that post, you can also learn how to get two sheets of reusable wrap for just $3!

Reusable wraps are basically cotton that is coated in beeswax which you can wrap, mold, and seal to keep foods fresh! Another perk is you don’t have to wrestle with reusable wraps like you do the plastic stuff!

Reusable Sandwich Bags instead of Ziplock Bags

Skip the ziplock bags for those sandwiches and snacks! There are so many cool reusable sandwich bag options out there! These are perfect for school lunches and trips to the zoo! Now they aren’t freezer safe or liquid safe so you will have to use something else (maybe glass jars) but they work great for dry goods.

Reusable Trash Bags instead of Plastic Trash Bags

This is a newer one. My family we don’t bother with the plastic trash bag liners but our trash bins get rather disgusting because of it. I’ve always hated the thought of buying plastic trash bags because I’m cheap like that so we just make do… but then I found out that Planet Wise makes reusable trash bags (also used as diaper pail liners)! I need to invest!