How To Live Your Best Life Without Plastic
Plastic is without a doubt one of the most significant contributors to climate change in our world today. The material itself is incredibly harmful to the environment because it does not fully break down. Additionally, when you consider just how prevalent it is in everyday life, the issue becomes even more drastic.
Can We Live In a World Without Plastic?
The majority of products around us contain some amount of plastic. If it is not in the item itself (which it often is), it is almost certainly somewhere in its packaging. Due to the nearly constant use of this material, it can be difficult to picture a world without plastic.
However, it is always important to remember that “difficult” does not equal “impossible.”
We absolutely can live in a world without plastic, and we should work toward that goal to better ourselves and our planet. If we work together to make real changes in how and what we use, there is absolutely no reason we can’t kick plastic for good.
What Was the Predecessor to Plastic?
Although It can be difficult to imagine a time without plastic, that does not mean it never existed. In this earlier, plastic-free life, people had to use only natural materials. This meant that wood, stone, straw, ceramics like pottery, and metal were all very common.
Baskets were woven to carry belongings and food around.
While we do not have to go back to exactly this way of life, there are definitely lessons we can take away from their relationships with the natural environment.
What Would Happen If We Stopped Using Single-Use Plastics?
If we stopped using plastic, our day-to-day lives would be nearly identical in many ways. We would still be able to purchase the products we need in our lives, it would just look a little different.
That being said, our definition for “need” will likely shift as time goes on. Instead of “needing” to put something in a sandwich or snack bag, recyclable and reusable glass jars would work just as well, if not better. Reducing plastic use requires some additional critical thinking, as well as being open to making adjustments. But hey- that’s totally worth it when you consider the positive impact you are making. Afterall, our health and the planets are very closely intertwined.
There are tons of options and earth-friendly alternatives at our fingertips that we often do not even notice. If we simply took the time to be more mindful of the resources at our disposal and how we use them, we could make real change. For example, that Pico jar you washed out and recycled? That could be your next storage container for bulk goods, or baking ingredients.
As far as the environment goes, eliminating single-use plastic products and abandoning plastic packaging altogether could mean a chance to start fresh. Well, not totally fresh. Single-use plastic never entirely breaks down, eventually becoming microplastics that pose a significant threat to animals and the ocean.
Getting rid of all future plastic waste would not eliminate our current plastic pollution, instead it would mean we could focus our efforts on cleaning what is already there. It could mean the difference between life and death for many animals and humans as climate change progresses.
What Are Some Alternatives to Common Plastic Products?
The good news is that there is an abundance of convenient, available, stylish, and all-around desirable alternatives that allow us to discontinue the amount of plastic consumption we are used to.
Reusable Grocery Bags
When venturing out to a grocery store or farmers’ market, you may see plastic produce bags as well as plastic grocery bags available for use. This kind of plastic is very damaging, so bringing your own bags is more convenient and environmentally conscious.
Reusable bags are a one-time purchase that will come in handy time and time again. Be sure to store them within eye’s view, or in your car as they can be easy to forget when making grocery trips.
Sustainable Toiletries
So many toiletries contain vast amounts of plastic. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant are just a few of them. Luckily, Bite has a variety of high-quality, zero-waste toiletries like toothpaste tablets and bamboo toothbrushes whenever you are ready to make the switch.
Reusable Water Bottles
Plastic water bottles account for a vast amount of waste in the ocean and our landfills, and sadly that is not all. Tiny pieces of plastic have also been found to contaminate our soil, which then comes back to us in the food that we grow and eat. We can make a significant dent in the amount of plastic waste we put out into the world by embracing the way of reusable water bottles.
There are so many refill stations in schools, offices, and all sorts of buildings. Having a reusable water bottle at your disposal whenever you are thirsty is a fantastic solution.
You will save a lot of money on water, as you would have otherwise had to spend it at a convenience store or vending machine to get a plastic bottle. In addition, you get to stay hydrated and know with every refill that you are genuinely helping the planet while you hydrate yourself, a win-win
Conclusion
Even though plastic is undoubtedly prevalent in modern-day society, there are changes that we can all make in our everyday lives that create a safer and healthier environment for the future.
Sources:
The History and Future of Plastics | Science History
Single-Use Plastic | Marine Safe
Plastic Planet: How Tiny Plastic Particles Are Polluting Our Soil | UN Environment
