20 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to Plastic

In this article, you'll learn about 20 tried and tested ways to reduce your exposure to and use of plastic. Scientists have recently discovered that humans could inhale a credit card's worth of plastic per week, and have found a spoon's worth of plastic in human cadaver brains. Beyond their impact to human health, microplastics have been wreaking havoc on our natural environment for years, and are now the most plentiful form of debris in both the oceans and the Great Lakes. Keep reading to learn more about how you can reduce your exposure to these materials.

Using what you have is a pillar of sustainability, and as such, this list is not intended to be used as an excuse to throw away what you own and replace it all. Rather, this list is intended to be used as inspiration for making plastic-free swaps when things need to be replaced, or it you are already in the market for one of these items. This list is non-exhaustive and will hopefully inspire you and empower you to continue on your sustainability journey and to live in closer alignment with the environment, whatever that looks like to you.

1. Toothbrush

   This one is so simple and affordable if you are trying to reduce your exposure to plastic. Next time you need to replace your plastic toothbrush, opt for a bamboo one or another material.

2. Toothpaste

   There are plenty of alternatives available to tubed toothpaste now. I have tried and would recommend tablets, but there are powders available now as well. Some forms even have remineralizing ingredients, but of course, talk to your dentist if you have any concerns.

3. Razor

   Make the switch to a safety razor for a completely plastic-free experience. These can be a bit of an investment upfront for the actual razor, anywhere between $15 and $30, depending on the brand. The razor blade refills, though, are very affordable. As long as you take care of it, it will last you forever.

4. Shampoo/Conditioner

   Next time you run out of your hair products, give bars a try. These vary in price point but are plastic-free and often last longer than your standard bottle of shampoo would.

5. Body Wash

   Similar to the shampoo and conditioner bars, if you currently use liquid body wash, consider switching to bar soap to avoid the plastic bottles.

6. Loofah

   Swap out your loofah for a plastic free alternative. Sea sponges, and algae fabric loofahs are available. Or, if you are switching to bar soap, consider a soap bag. They are often made from plant materials such as Sisa, making your routine 100% plastic-free

7. Skin Care

   Look out for products and brands that come in glass or metal packaging if you are trying to avoid plastic. Serums that come in dropper bottles or jars etc. tend to use less plastic. A lot of times some piece of the lid will still be plastic or silicone but even still, the product itself is not exposed to and sitting in a plastic container.

8. Body Scrubs

   Look for scrubs packaged in glass jars. This is also great because you can reuse the containers for something else and/or make your own scrub and keep refilling the same container.

9. Hairbrush

   Try and find wooden hair tools like brushes or combs. There are also combs made of other materials, such as different types of stone or metal. There may be some plastic involved still in brushes for the bristles etc., depending on the brand, so be careful of greenwashing.

10. Perfume

    Plastic spray bottles are super popular, especially for body mists, so look for ones that use recycled or glass packaging. Solid perfumes are also available, which come in a metal tin or other containers and function as a balm.

11. Feminine Hygiene

    This is a very personal and individual decision, but if you're on the journey of reducing your exposure to plastic, consider switching to organic cotton bullet tampons that do not use plastic applicators. There are a plethora of more sustainable options than the traditional plastic applicators, such as cups or rings, though they are often made of silicone or other plastics. If plastic-free is the goal, cotton tampons with no applicator or cardboard applicators would be the way to go.

12. Water Bottles

    If single-use plastic water bottles are a part of your routine, I would encourage you to opt for a reusable one if you have the means. One step further, a metal or glass reusable one to eliminate your water's exposure to plastic altogether (at least what we can control as the consumer)

13. Cooking Utensils

    This is a big one because, as plastic cooking utensils, think spatulas, ladels, etc. wear down, they could potentially be putting microplastics in your food. The plastic ones are often more affordable than other materials (you can usually find them at the dollar store), but if you can stretch a few extra dollars, you can find decent sets of wooden ones that are pretty affordable.

14. Cutting Board

    Similar to the utensils, slicing and dicing food on a plastic cutting board could also put microplastics right into your food. Opt for a wooden one instead.

15. Tupperware

    Microwaving plastic poses its own issues, so using glass tupperware serves you two-fold, as if it is heat-safe, you can store and reheat food in the same container. Usually, there is some plastic involved, whether it be in the lid or the little silicone seal around it, but if you’re in the market for new Tupperware, consider using glass. Any type of jar can also be washed out and repurposed to store food, so you don’t have to buy new.

16. Plastic Wrap

    When you run out, stop buying and using it. Use your Tupperware or another reusable container instead.

17. Tea Bags/Coffee Pods

    So many tea bags are made with plastic and can release those plastics into your tea, and then you drink them. Likewise, coffee pods use plastic packaging and are then subjected to boiling water. Consider switching to loose-leaf tea and loose coffee, and a metal tea infuser or reusable coffee pod.

18. Honey/Syrup

    These grocery items commonly come in plastic containers, but can often be found in glass containers.

    Bonus Tip: Shopping for these items in bulk or at a refill store is another great alternative and often allows you to bring your own container.

19. Dryer Sheets

    When you run out, make the switch to a dryer ball instead. Puts a few drops of essential oils onto them for a light scent if that is what you miss from the dryer sheets. Limiting your use of dryer sheets reduce both your exposure to microplastics and the amount you introduce into the environment.

20. Detergent Pods

    The vast majority of them are wrapped in plastic, granted it's water soluble, but nonetheless, those materials are released into the water used to wash your clothes and then the wastewater when the cycle is done. There are many alternatives here, liquid detergent, powder detergent, you can even DIY laundry detergent, which can be pricey upfront, but over time it is so much more economical.

Thank you for reading and embarking on this journey. For more information about this topic check out our post on microplastics, or check out our podcast episode for this article that gives more anecdotal insight on these swaps.