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Did you know that in one week a person consumes a credit card's worth of plastic?
I can help you reduce your plastic use. Because plastic does not belong in our aim for natural beauty.
It wasn’t always like this. Cupboards full of plastic tubs, polyester clothes, all manner of beauty and personal care items in plastic packaging of course…the list is endless.
I just want to highlight that I did not wake up and have all these plastic-free living ideas in my head. It took me years. I am still learning and picking up new ways to be plastic free.
I think it is better to start somewhere, to have the right intentions. Gradually, you can reduce/remove items that are no good for you or for the planet. Because you and the planet are one and the same.
But why take a decade to learn or pick up different ideas, when I have all of these here, on one page.
All you have to do is scroll through and pick and choose what you feel like on the day!
Easy.
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16 | Check your kitchen utensils
I bet when you check your kitchen utensils, you’ll find many are plastic. I gradually replaced all of my kitchen utensils. They are now either stainless steel or wooden.
15 | Plastic-free home decoration
If you have to.
I am into buying less stuff, full stop.
You know those fake flowers and all manner of fake plants? Plastic. Consider getting a real plant, which will clean the air in your home. If you are not very good with plants, let’s face it, we’re not all gifted, get a cactus. Cacti hardly ever need watering so it is unlikely to die.
14 | Buying used clothing, furniture, and all home related items from eBay
The good thing is that you can find some really good stuff there. I bought clothes (designer too) that were hardly ever warn. The clothes was a fraction of the price. You can find some great vintage stuff there too. High quality and low cost. You would have to check the quality.
Not everything on eBay is good.
However, with large items, you have to drive who knows where to get your item. What I did was arrange for a courier to pick up and deliver the item. It was a faff, but I thought it was worth it. I have 2 beautiful armchairs at home that are vintage and unique.
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12 | Buying shampoo/conditioner/soap bars
Plastic free skincare and hair care is so much better for your health. You can find lots of plastic free skincare here.
All manner of washing for me now comes in a handy bar. Soap bars have minimal paper packaging, which can be recycled. Shampoo bars and soap bars are usually natural, so better for your skin and hair. Though always check ingredients.
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11 | Buying plastic-free clothing
I no longer buy clothes which have the following:
Polyester
Polyamide
Acrylic
Nylon
Spandex
All of these fibres are plastic. And guess where they end up?
In the soil, in the water. Because every time you wash your clothes, tiny plastic particles are released into the water. In other words, you end up eating plastic.
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10 | Making your own lunch and dinner
Breakfast goes without saying. There is cereals, egg, porridge, plums with yoghurt and so on.
Buying lunch means buying things that re usually wrapped in plastic, not fresh and expensive.
Buying dinner is the same. Shop bought meals are usually high in saturated fat and processed sugar too.
I make dinner, enough so there are leftovers. I put these leftovers in a plastic free lunchbox, made of glass, ready for lunch. Low cost and healthy.
But you don't have to cook lunch AND dinner.
If there are no leftovers, just make your own sandwiches.
Although, you do have to cook, quite a lot.
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9 | Using a cotton cloth to wash the dishes
If anything needs washing by hand, then I use a cotton cloth. I cut mine out from an old cotton t-shirt that I no longer wear. You can then pop the cloth in a washing machine regularly to keep it clean and fresh.
The sponges you use are plastic (awful stuff). The sponges collect bacteria, which you spread by washing. If you don’t fancy a cotton cloth, use a plastic free sponge.
8 | Using a glass water bottle
I am pretty horrified when I go into TkMaxx, for example, and all I see is this enormous wall of plastic bottles. Don’t buy them, please. Unless you want to drink plastic.
I buy plastic free water bottles made from glass, or stainless steel if you are clumsy and keep breaking them.
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7 | Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for cleaning
I have used bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to clean my bathroom, kitchen sink, glass hob, dishwasher and washing machine. I add a bit of vinegar to water to clean all of my floors.
Plastic free cleaning products can be quite expensive. Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is low cost and effective.
6 | Consider materials when renovating
Not many people mention this.
You spend quite a lot of time in your home. It would make sense that your surroundings should be natural and as environmentally friendly as possible. You don’t want to be breathing toxic plastic air when you are in the home.
In my house I have wooden floors. Kitchen worktops are wooden. Carpets and soft furnishings are of natural materials like cotton. My wardrobes and tables are wooden.
You can consider ceramic tiles, even.
5 | Air dry your clothes
It rains here in the UK quite a lot.
But, most of the year, I manage to air dry my clothes. I avoid drying clothes at home.
Why?
When clothes are drying, it releases the harmful fumes into the air. This is especially the case if you use regular washing powder.
Air drying clothes is low cost because you are not using up electricity like with a dryer.
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4 | Use natural bedding
I don’t know if you have ever thought about bedding and what is in it, but I have. For a while now, I knew that synthetic bedding is just plastic. A lot of people even sleep in plastic.
My pillows and duvet are made of cotton with a down filling. Down is natural and also warmer in the winter and softer.
Down bedding may be more expensive initially.
But you don’t have to go for the best branded stuff. Own labels are just as good and still better than plastic.
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3 | Buy loose fruit and vegetables
If you can and they are available, buy fruit and vegetables without the plastic packaging. This avoids the need for you to deal with plastic at all.
2 | Exercise - the healthy way
Sounds odd when I say it out loud. Exercise is healthy. Yes. But when I think about all the lycra or polyester clothing people wear when exercising, it makes me feel sad.
When exercising, you are supposed to allow your skin to breathe. When wearing all the plastic clothing – from leggings to sports tops, you are making it worse for yourself. The horrible smooth material makes you sweat more; bacteria build on your skin. Plus, you are literally wearing plastic, which your skin absorbs.
What happened to a plain old cotton t shirt and cotton trousers/leggings?
Why do we need those horrible, tight shiny things? And the branded stuff costs a lot.
I just can’t justify that.
Oh, and by the way, don't be fooled by fitness clothes made out of recycled polyester or polyamide. It is still plastic.
Plastic doesn't belong on your body.
1 | Plastic-free gifts
When buying for others, choose plastic free gifts. You’ll be helping the environment and your friends and family. It’s unlikely that anyone needs more plastic in their lives.
This is not always easy when buying gifts for children though. Plastic free gifts for children and rare these days. Some ideas of plastic free gifts for children are:
- Wooden toys
- Clothes
- Books
- Plants (to look after)
- Arts and crafts things
- Knitted soft toys
- Plastic free board games
The only problem is that most toys that children actually want, Lego for example, are not plastic free.
Conclusion: plastic-free living just needs a little thinking
When I started this, I had to consciously think about what I am buying, what I am doing. Now it is second nature. I am used to my plastic-free living. I try my best to continue improving and getting gid of more things that are not plastic-free.
Despite all the ideas I mentioned above, sometimes it is impossible to be plastic-free. For example, fridges, window frames, kitchen cupboards and so on.
Don’t get me started on all the things in my car!
But don’t let that get you down. Just try your best to make plastic-free choices and eventually, most things in your house will be plastic-free.
What plastic-free choices have you made? Share your suggestions!
Why trust The Clear Sky?
I am an educator and l am passionate about providing people with information about the beauty industry so they can be empowered to make an informed choice when spending their money. I take time to research beauty products. I recommend beauty products that are non toxic, have natural ingredients and often plastic free.
With over a decade of personal experience using natural ingredients for skin, hair and body I also provide many beauty tips which are simple, innovative and sustainable.
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