Tips and inspiration
- There are lots of plastic-free alternatives for common products in your kitchen, bathroom and utility room. For example, you can buy wooden, bamboo or metal versions of everyday items such as toothbrushes, razors, clothes pegs and dish brushes.
- Switch to shampoo and conditioner bars, which are sold loose or packaged in biodegradable materials such as cardboard.
- If you live in the UK, you can use this map to check whether there’s a zero-waste store in your local area. These shops often sell refillable versions of toiletries and cleaning products, such as deodorant, hand soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent and washing-up liquid.
- The Plastic Pollution Coalition have recommended some reuse and refill shops across the USA, while maps assembled by Plastic-free Future and EcoRate include more locations, including some across the globe.
- Alternatively, many brands offer refill pouches that you can buy in your local supermarket. These refill pouches use less plastic than standard bottles and come with other benefits, such as saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
- Swap plastic food-storage containers for glass or stainless steel, which are more durable and won’t shed microplastics into your food. Using a stainless steel water bottle or glass coffee cup means you can also reduce your plastic use when you’re out and about.
Video with audio description (1 minute 14 seconds). Beeswax wraps are a great, plastic-free alternative to clingfilm. Learn how to save money and save the planet by making your own beeswax wraps at home in our video.
The big picture
More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, but less than 10% gets recycled.
Around 79% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or discarded in the environment, where it can contaminate ecosystems with toxic chemicals and microplastics.
Sources:
UN Environment Programme: Drowning in Plastics Report
Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
Image © veeart/ Shutterstock
Why is this action beneficial?
Reduces pollution
Plastic often ends up polluting natural ecosystems. By using plastic-free household products, you can reduce the amount of plastic waste that enters the environment.
Supports local or independent business
Zero-waste shops are often small businesses. Buying refillable household products can help to support your local economy.
Protects nature
Replacing plastic products and packaging with eco-friendly alternatives reduces plastic waste that can pollute habitats and harm the animals that live there.
Reduces emissions
Using less plastic can help combat climate change. Plastic production generates around 1.6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and that figure is predicted to triple by 2060. Plastic waste disposal releases around 200 million tonnes on top of this.
Saves money
Refills of household products are often sold in bulk, making them cheaper than buying a smaller quantity in a plastic bottle. Glass and stainless steel food storage containers are also generally more durable, so they last longer and may save you money in the long term, although they’re often more expensive to buy initially.
Opportunity to advocate for others
Plastic waste is often exported to low- and middle-income countries for processing, or burned in incinerators, which are more likely to be located near deprived neighbourhoods. By using less plastic, you can reduce the impact of plastic pollution on these communities.
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