It is not realistic to think that we can eliminate plastic from our lives. However, it can be replaced more often than you think. It is indeed a worthwhile goal to strive for plastic-free living.
Learning about plastics
A good start is to learn about plastics, as some are extremely toxic. You may have noticed that at the bottom of any plastic product, container, etc., there is a number from 1 to 7.
Here is a list of the worst plastics, used in everyday life, many for children.
Plastic #3 – This is a nasty one made of Polyvinyl Chloride, which is extremely toxic and contains additives like lead and phthalates. It is used in squeeze bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic wrap, and, be ready for this, children’s toys.
Plastic #6 – This is known as polystyrene; it is used to make styrofoam, plastic cutlery, and all sorts of disposable dishes.
Plastic # 7 – It belongs to polycarbonate and similar products. It contains bisphenol A and is found in clear plastic sippy cups, sport drink bottles, ketchup, juice bottles, and metal can liners. All these plastics are very toxic and very bad for you and the environment, yet we use them every day, all day long.
Rule Number 1 – No Plastic
Fortunately, there are more and more plastic alternatives readily available on the market; reusable water bottles, like the aluminum ones, and travel mugs for drinks. For food, use glass jars or stainless steel, or cloth sandwich bags, bamboo or wooden Bento boxes, etc. It is also very acceptable today to bring containers of any shape and size to supermarkets when you do your shopping.
Give up traditional cleaning products – use vinegar and bicarbonate
Bicarbonate or baking soda, whatever you want to call it, is an incredibly useful and efficient product that is very cheap. White spirit vinegar is its everyday companion. Together they make up for all of the cleaning products you need to buy, from washing liquid to washing the floor, scrub the saucepans, clean the windows, etc. Goodbye nasty cleaning products and plastic containers.
Make your own detergent
Soap flakes, strips, or nuts are great for your laundry, and they also come in plastic-free packaging. It is even effortless to make detergent, using organic handmade soap, and mixing it with soda. Of course, it also means that you not only eliminate the contamination all these detergents are causing, but you also remove all these dreadful plastic containers.
If you are confused or feel you could do more, drop in for a friendly chat with us at Sunrise Sanitation in West Virginia or Maryland. We are easy to find. If you cannot make it, give us a call. It is a pleasure to help you keep the world a cleaner, better place.
