20 Ways To Kick Plastic Out Of Your Life
You Are Inhaling, Eating, Drinking, And Shitting Plastic To The Tune Of 74,000 Microplastic Particles Per Year
Plastic is everywhere. Microplastic is even turning up in human stool as per a study. Humans may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. If we further add the estimates of how much microplastic we might be inhaling, this number is more than 74,000 as per another study.
The sad part is that plastic doesn’t add much value to our lives except the convenience we are better off giving up!
When we say one person can’t make a difference, do you realise how much plastic one person is contributing to the our only planet?
Every year the average person throws away 109 kg of plastic in US. So far, only 9 % of all plastic ever produced was recycled.
Do you still think it is not worth it for you to be able to remove 109 kgs of plastic per year by changing your own lifestyle for better? If you can convince 9 other people (friends, family, co-workers), you would be able to save the earth from 1090 kgs of plastic per year. This contribution of yours would amount to saving earth from 10900 kgs of plastics being dumped into its oceans and landfills in a decade. Isn’t it something worth doing?
If you look at the history, change starts from people like you and me. It is never brought about by rich people because they are benefitting from the very system that we want to change.
Without further ado, let me tell you 20 ways you can get rid of plastic and make your lifestyle more sustainable.
BYOB For Grocery Shopping (Bring Your Own Bag)
Start keeping at least 4–6 reusable cotton or jute bags in your purse. Whenever you go out for grocery shopping, make sure you tell your vendor not to pack your groceries in a plastic bag. If they do so, ask them to unpack and use your cotton bags instead.
2. CYOB Everywhere (Carry Your Own Bottle)
There is a fair chance that you already know how much harm those shiny water bottles do to your body. When you drink water from a plastic bottle, the toxins such as BPA can make their way into your bloodstream, capable of causing damaging your liver and kidney and causing various cancers. Moreover, it is no miracle water. It is the same tap water from your regular sources. As a matter of fact, Aquafina now states on its labels that its water comes from public sources.
3. CYOC Everywhere (Carry Your Own Cutlery)
Plastic cutlery is everywhere. That doesn’t mean you can carry your own reusable cutlery. You will likely draw a few stares by those who are not yet mature enough to understand sustainable living. But, it is all worth it.
4. Switch To Bamboo Toothbrush (and Comb)
Plastic is ingrained in our everyday lives. We start our day with a plastic toothbrush in our mouth. It is the worst way to start your day. However, sustainable alternatives are available. I use bamboo toothbrushes as well as bamboo combs. These products are mostly made by small companies or startups and unlike big consumer brands, they don’t have large marketing budgets to promote these products. Just do a quick and easy google search to find out brands making bamboo toothbrushes and other items. You will find a lot of budget friendly brands too. Moreover, bamboo products are more durable as compared to their plastic counterparts. Plastic products are made to wear out fast so that companies can sell you more of them.
5. Replace Plastic Straws With Reusable Ones
Plastic straws are bad for the environment and your health. They are usually made from polypropylene (a kind of plastic derived from petroleum). As per a study, chemicals from polypropylene can leach into liquids and may release compounds that could affect estrogen levels. I never really used these plastic straws except when I’d drink coconut water. But now, I caryy a reusable straw in my purse whenever I step out.
6. Stop Wrapping Food In Cling Wraps
It is a no brainer that keeping food in contact with plastic is harmful to say the least. The good news is you can ditch the cling film and use cloth wraps to cover or wrap the leftover food. Whenever you encounter the words “wrap in clingfilm” in a cookbook, use cotton wrap instead.
7. Start Collecting Your E-Waste For Re-cycling
Electronics don’t last forever. They break down and we are left with electronic waste. Other than plastic, the electronic waste also contains toxic chemicals and hazardous materials. Improper disposal of the same can result in cause the release of these toxic substances into our environment. Get a carton or a gunny sack and keep it at a designated spot in your home. Start collecting your e-waste like smartphones, laptops, bulbs, tubelights etc. Once your carton is full, give it to an e-waste recycler.
8. Switch To Environmental Friendly Menstrual Products
Obviously, guys can skip this one!
My grandmother’s generation in India used cloth pads during their periods. Our generation can not imagine periods without sanitary napkins. As per my calculation, an average woman menstruates for 40 years and hence gets 40*12=480 periods in her lifetime (discounting pregnancy). Women on an average go through 15 pads a period (assuming a 5 day period and you use at least 3 pads per day). Hence, an average woman would be using at least 480*15= 7200 pads in her entire lifetime. But you don’t need to burden the earth with the waste of 7200 sanitary pads.
You can make the switch to more sustainable menstrual products like reusable cloth pads or tampons. A cloth pad can last 3–5 years and the only hassle would be for you to wash them. Tampons are also a good option. They are made of silicon and can last for 10 years. You don’t need to sterilise them before or after the use. They are hassle free.
9. Say No To Packaged Food And Juices
There are two benefits of ditching packaged food- not polluting the environment and getting healthy. I know it can be a bit difficult in the beginning but as a foodie, I can tell you this much- packaged food is not the real deal. Freshly cooked food with real organic ingredients tastes much better and can satisfy your soul like anything.
10. Switch To Homemade Soaps And Dry Shampoos
When you sign up for chemical shampoos in a plastic packaging, you are also signing up for possible cancer, neurological diseases, liver disorders and more. In fact, shampoos damage your hair and make them look dull and lifeless. But no influencer or cosmetics company ever tell you this. Rather, they take it as an opportunity to sell you more products like fake oils, conditioners and hair spa solutions.
I had lost hope with my hair and what was why I left shampoo. Just after 2–3 months of leaving shampoo, the health of my hair turned around. You can read about it here.
You can make a DIY hair cleaner using Reetha (Indian soapbery) or any other product available in your kitchen.Similarly, for cleansing your skin, you can use chickpea flour paste. Check youtube for a lot of DIY shampoos and soaps.
11. Ditch Creams, Lotions And Other Skin Care Products
You have been made to believe that you need cleanser, toner. moisturiser and other shit to keep your skin young. But these are the products cosmetic companies have been pitching you to get a higher share of your wallet. These products harm you in longer term. Believe me, I am a marketing professional myself! Use coconut oil or virgin olive oil on your skin. They work like a charm on your skin. Just try it for a month and see the difference.
12. Shop Locally
I can’t stress this one enough. Use local products and support local businesses. For instance, if you buy vegetables or food grains from a big supermarket, run by a multinational corporation, only a small percentage of profits go to the farmers who actually took the pain to grow them. It rather goes to the corporation that brought you the vegetables in a plastic packaging under a shiny roof. That plastic packaging is not adding any value to your vegetable, but still, you end up rewarding them by buying from them. Hence, buy from local businesses only.
13. Swap Clothes
Remember I used the word microplatic in the beginning of this article? The fast fashion we buy today contains microplastic. These are found in fabrics like fleece, dri-fits. Don’t ever buy fast fashion. If you really have to buy, then buy pure cotton, hemp, wool or any other natural fibre fabrics. They are sustainable and would also last longer than fast fashion that hardly lasts even a single season. A better option that you can try is swapping clothing with your friends or cousins. There are a lot of clothes sitting in our closets that we no more are in love with. Swap them for something that is new for you.
14. Use Natural, Homemade Household Cleaners
Commercial cleaners can cause asthma, neurotoxicity, cancer, hormone disruptions and the list goes on and on. Why do you need to use them when you can make your own cleaner at home. I will tell you a DIY. Take peels of oranges or lemons and put them in a jar. Add enough water just to submerge the peels (Lesser water will result in unsubmerged peels that will lead to formation of fungus and more water will slow down the process). Make sure that the peels are enough so that the jar is full. Now, close the container and let it sit and ferment in a cool and dry place for 3–4 weeks. You can add a pinch of yeast too. After 3 to 4 weeks, check if the peels have dissolved and mixture has taken up the colour of the peels. If yes, you can now use it as a floor cleaner, toilet cleaner or surface cleaner. Check out Youtube for a lot of other DIY homemade cleaners.
15. Use Homemade Detergents
In India, my grandparents and other people of their generation used to wash their clothes with Reetha (Indian soapberry). It doesn’t cause any shrinking or fading in clothes. You can check Youtube on how to make a detergent using Reetha. You will get plenty of videos on it.
16. Switch To Cloth Diapers For Your Little One
When it comes to diapers, it is not just about thousands of diapers getting tossed in the environment after use, it is also about your baby getting exposed to toxic chemicals throughout the day during his growing years. Disposable diapers are full of toxins. A cotton cloth diaper, on the other hand, is non toxic and reusable. It keeps your baby rash-free. It is more economical too.
17. Avoid Ordering Food Online
When you order online, most of the restaurants use plastic cutlery and packaging and that just isn’t right. In a study, scientists analysed 12 million pieces of litter found in and around rivers, oceans , shorelines and the seafloor. They found 8 out of 10 items were made of plastic. 44$ of them was related to take out food and drinks such as single used bottles, food containers and wrappers, and plastic bags.
Learn cooking like I did. It even worked as a therapy for me, aside from satisfying my regular cravings for delicious food. Eating out once in a while is still fine. As a matter of fact, it is something I indulge in myself from time to time.
18. Bake Your Own Bread
When I started baking my own bread, it was for the purpose of being able to eat much healthier home baked breads. But, I also ended up avoiding the unfortunate plastic packaging that bakery products come in. However, if you know a business that doesn’t use plastic, go for it. I bet they would also be using fresh quality ingredients. If they don’t want to mess with environment, they are least likely to mess with your health.
19. Do Away With Plastic Gift Wrapping
Why to use cellophane gift wrapping sheets when you have more beautiful and sustainable alternatives like handmade papers. In fact, brown paper or old newspapers can also work. You can wrap the gift along with fresh or dried flowers. That looks so much better than those shiny cellophane sheets.
20. Donate Unused Things
Our homes are filled with things we don’t use. It is not just clothes. Look around your room, peep into your drawers, wardrobe and look for items that you haven’t used in years. It is best to give such things away in donation so that they can be used by someone in need.
As the author of this article, here is my confession. Right now, I am able to do 14 of these things. I am still trying do all 20 in the list. I know I will reach there soon enough and so will you! Remember, one small step at a time.
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