How to Use Less Plastic In Your Life

Photo by Ciara Ratum

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with plastic – all the plastic that is in our lives. I look around my house and I see plastic lotion bottles, plastic toothpaste tubes, plastic shampoo/conditioner bottles…it goes on and on. Many of which, will never be recycled. They will take over 400 years to decompose. Many of these items end up in our oceans, killing ocean life, as well as land animals.

Luckily, we have options and some aren’t more expensive than what we already spend. They are even easy to obtain. I’ve spent some time testing these products and am ready to share my thoughts.

Here are some simple solutions to free yourself of the daily plastics in your life.

Blueland-Blueland.com

Reusable Foaming Hand Soap & Glass Bottle – The soap comes in a tablet you drop in the bottle and add water. Smells great. The bottle is delivered in recyclable cardboard and each soap tablet is wrapped in compostable packaging. The bottle looks great. Other cleaning products are also available. I will continue to use.

HiBAR-Hellohibar.com

Plastic Free Shampoo & Conditioner – I bought the Moisturize Set. Since my hair can feel dry from being in the ocean so much. This product smells great and makes my hair feel soft and smooth. Other hair type sets are also available. I will continue to use.

Public goods-Publicgoods.com

They have it all. House hold items, personal hygiene products, food, essential oils and vitamins & supplements. I have tested the following items:

  • Silk Dental Floss in Glass Container – Works great. I will continue to use.
  • Shampoo Bar in Bamboo Packaging – Left my hair squeaky clean. Over time there was a waxy build up, which created texture, making styling easy and fun. If you have long hair you will also need to use a conditioner. Great for traveling or using a few times a week.
  • Sunscreen – Ocean friendly and in a compostable bottle. This product did not fully absorb into my skin and left a visible, thin white layer. When I wore it into the ocean it slightly stung my skin. (Your skin may react to it differently and wearing on land may not react to the salt water.) I will find other alternatives.
  • Tree Free Tissue Paper and Toilet Paper – This product is not as soft as other tree brands, but it does the job. I will continue to use.
  • Organic Tampons (applicator free) – Works just like any other brand. I will continue to use.
  • Bamboo Pantyliners – The quality of this product still needs work. Their is plastic that is used where you peel off the liner for the sticky side. Works fine, but I still prefer other major brands.
  • Wool Dryer Balls – An alternative to dryer sheets, without the harsh chemicals. This comes in a set of four. I toss them all in to my dryer. It is suppose to dry your close more efficiently and in less time. I will continue to use.

* There is an annual membership fee, but their products are so inexpensive, you end up paying around the same amount as less eco-friendly products.

Bite-Bitetoothpastebits.com

Naturally whitening or activated charcoal toothpaste – It came in a glass jar you can refill. It tasted great, but the freshness did not last all day. I found myself brushing my teeth more than twice a day, which is not ideal for your teeth. I will continue to look for other alternatives.

Let us know if you’ve discovered any eco-friendly products that you love and think we should give a try!

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1 thought on “How to Use Less Plastic In Your Life”

  1. Bring your own coffee mug and or say NO to the lid s on paper cups. Mesh reusable bags for produce and no no no cling wrap or plastic wrap in this house!
    Reusable wax cloth:)

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