The real issue with plastic is that it never truly disappears. Instead, it just breaks down into smaller pieces – even nanoparticles – eventually finding their way into our water systems, soil, and the air we breathe.
What steps can we take to minimize our plastic impact? The simplest way to use less plastic is to stop buying it in the first place. However, don't start throwing out everything in your house that isn't eco-friendly! If something is working well and you're using it, keep using it until it's worn out. When it's time to replace it, then you can choose a more environmentally friendly option.
How Do We Switch to Sustainable Alternatives Instead of Plastic?
It can be overwhelming when you start noticing all the plastic things we use every day. And it can be even more daunting when you realize how much harm these plastic items cause to our environment.
But take a deep breath, we're not asking you to throw away all the plastic in your home. You can simply start including eco-friendly products and slowly get used to using them in your daily life. Living a sustainable lifestyle isn't something that happens in a few days. It's a commitment you make to yourself and the environment.
There is a wide range of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic that you can start using every day. Here are our top 8 sustainable alternatives to plastic:
#1 Bamboo
We're not expecting you to become a panda and eat bamboo all day! But you might be surprised by how many eco-friendly products can be made from bamboo. You can find everything from cutlery and tissues to stationery, serving trays, towels, baby blankets, planters, and of course, straws. In fact, at Shaka Love, we offer handcrafted bamboo straws - a beautiful set including five 9-inch or 6-inch straws, an eco-friendly cotton carry bag, and a cleaning tool.
Compared to trees, bamboo forests can regrow in just 3 to 5 years and thrive without the use of pesticides. Our straws are organic, sustainably sourced bamboo and are BPA, lead, and toxin-free.
Bamboo has natural properties like being antibacterial, super strong, and good at filtering air and water. It's also biodegradable, easy to grow, and long-lasting, making it a great choice for both you and the planet.
#2 Toothpaste tablets
Forget trying to squeeze every last drop of toothpaste out of a tube. Toothpaste tablets are the newest eco-friendly alternative, they're a plastic-free, zero-waste toothpaste option made from simple, certified organic ingredients.
Besides being good for the environment, they're also a healthier choice because they don't contain the harsh chemicals often found in regular toothpaste, like aluminum, preservatives, fillers, and strong chemicals such as SLS and triclosan. Toothpaste tablets are also perfect for camping or traveling.
#3 Glass
Studies show that making glass from recycled glass reduces water pollution by 50% and air pollution by 20% compared to making new glass. So, instead of using plastic bottles consider glass. And while you're at it, think about swapping plastic straws for glass straws too!
While glass isn't biodegradable, it's inert (meaning it doesn't react with other substances), inexpensive, and can be recycled endlessly. And since many food items come in glass jars, you can easily reuse those jars for food storage – it's a free way to give your food packaging a new life.
Jars from jam, pickles, honey, nut butter, and more can be used for buying things in bulk. You can also use them to store leftovers and homemade drinks, or even decorate them and turn them into homemade gifts.
#4 Organic cotton tote bags
While it's true that you can now recycle soft plastics, only about 3% of those bags actually get recycled. Taking reusable shopping bags with you when you go grocery shopping is the easiest way to help reduce that number.
Whether you like a stylish organic mesh tote, a backpack, or a bag that folds up small enough to fit in your purse, using bags you already have is better than buying new ones. Look for supermarket totes with thick straps so they're strong enough to carry heavy stuff. And if you're buying new bags, choose ones made from cotton, canvas, calico, or recycled plastic – those are the most sustainable options.
#5 Reusable coffee cups
It is widely reported that Americans use over 50 billion disposable coffee cups annually, which translates to roughly 136 million cups per day. This figure includes both paper and plastic cups, with paper cups being the most common for coffee.
Using a reusable coffee cup is an easy way to be more eco-friendly, and once you've rinsed it out, you can also use it as a water glass or tea mug at the office. It's a win-win.
#6 Tree-Free Paper
Choosing tree-free paper is a sustainable alternative to traditional paper, which relies heavily on wood pulp. Historically, the United States has depleted its once-extensive forests to supply wood for various purposes, including common paper products. Switching to tree-free paper is beneficial because the plants used to make it regenerate quickly and don't disrupt natural ecosystems.
Additionally, it reduces the need for plastic-lined or coated paper products often used for food packaging and disposable cups.
Tree-free paper production avoids the use of any wood fibers, eliminating the need to cut down trees. The source materials are rapidly renewable and can be harvested without the significant environmental consequences associated with deforestation.
#7 Upcycled clothing
Upcycling is a creative way to transform waste materials into new things, like clothing or furniture, it's become more and more popular lately. We know that upcycling your own clothes can take a lot of time and effort, but the new clothes that designers create from used materials are really valuable.
But there's another important factor to consider: the environment. Is upcycled clothing worth it from an environmental perspective?
There's some debate about the environmental impact of upcycling. Some people say that it takes fewer resources to upcycle materials compared to recycling, which uses more energy and water. Other studies show that upcycling can reduce carbon emissions by 10-25% compared to buying new clothes.
The environmental impact of upcycling clothing really depends on the type of material being used. For example, using leather or fur might increase the demand for resources because of the animal products involved. On the other hand, using wool or cotton might reduce the demand for resources because those are plant-based products.
#8 Cork
Cork offers yet another biodegradable and recyclable material option, and if you need a really good reason to choose cork products, here it is: after the cork is carefully harvested from the bark of a cork oak tree, the tree's CO2 absorption rate increases by a factor of 3 to 5, resulting in cleaner air for everyone.
We believe this is a fantastic reason to transition to cork products. You can discover a diverse range of innovative cork products, including wallets, hats, yoga mats, and much more. Not to mention, cork oak forests rank among the most ecologically diverse environments on our planet, providing essential habitat for rare species such as the Barbary Deer, Iberian Lynx, and Iberian Imperial Eagle.