Reducing plastic use in daily life can feel overwhelming—some changes take effort, and in certain cases, avoiding plastic entirely just isn’t possible. However, every small step matters. Plastic, a petroleum-based product, is not just an environmental issue; it has become a health crisis for the planet and its inhabitants. As the world moves toward clean energy, oil companies are ramping up plastic production, further compounding the problem.

Recycling is an important part of the solution, but it’s far from perfect. In the United States, less than 10% of plastic is recycled due to complex, costly, and limited programs. The real solution lies in reducing plastic consumption. By making small, meaningful changes, we can collectively minimize plastic’s impact.

Start today by examining the items in your home. What materials are they or their packaging made from? Could plastic objects be replaced by alternatives made from natural, sustainable materials such as wood or bamboo? Can plastic containers be exchanged for eco-friendly packaging such as glass, aluminum, or paper–or even no packaging at all? Small changes like these can add up, especially as more people take action.

This page offers a guide to common household plastic items and eco-friendly alternatives, along with tips for recycling when possible. If you’re new to the topic, check out my primer on plastic types here. For quick wins, don’t miss my blog post, 8 Single-Use Plastic-Free Alternatives You Need Now, and stay tuned for more tips and ideas in upcoming posts. Together, we can make a difference!

Balloons

Go Green: Use other decorating options

Nearly all balloons are composed of plastic polymers, not natural rubber latex. There are some companies that advertise biodegradable balloons; Qualatex appears to be among the most legitimate of these, as they have been independently tested to verify they are plastic-free, with natural rubber latex as the only polymer. However, although these balloons are a minimum of 91% latex polymer, the remainder made up of additives for strength, elasticity, color, and shelf life stability. And those additives are not disclosed. If balloons are an absolute must, I would try these, making sure to dispose of them properly and never releasing them into the air. But it doesn’t seem likely that truly biodegradable balloons exist, and so I would avoid them as much as possible.

Instead, utilize decorating options to liven up festivities.

As an alternative to water balloons, I purchased Tlitlimom’s reusable water balloons. To fill them, you simply submerge the open silicone balloon under water and then it closes securely with a magnet. Surprisingly, they work well and my kids thought they were great. My Kiddo Care offers a similar product that they claim is biodegradable, but they don’t list what they are made from on their site so I wouldn’t count on it.

Are balloons recyclable?

No, balloons are not recyclable and must be disposed of in the garbage.

Beauty & personal care products

Product packaging is a top environmental problem faced by the beauty industry. It is estimated that 95% of beauty packaging does not get recycled, and a significant portion of that is plastic. In addition, most beauty products contain plastic microbeads and other petroleum-based ingredients, many of which are non-biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution. Watch for an upcoming blog article explaining the details soon.

Learn how to choose non-toxic personal care products and find plastic-free alternatives on the Clean Beauty page, or look for recommendations in these specific categories:

• Sustainable Skin Care
• Zero Waste Hair Care
• Eco-Friendly Oral Care
• Eco-Friendly period products
• Non-Toxic Nail Care
• Green Health & First Aid

Cleaning products

Like beauty products, the majority of cleaning products are packaged in plastic. Visit Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products to find numerous great options for non-toxic, plastic-free cleaners.

Related blog posts:

• Tips for Doing Plastic-Free Laundry
• Ultimate Guide to Plastic-Free Cleaning Products

Cotton swabs

Cotton swabs are a sleeper item–it may surprise you to know that they among the top ten items that wash up on beaches.

Go Green: Skip cotton swabs with plastic sticks

Do not buy swabs with plastic sticks. Purchase 100% cotton swabs with paperboard sticks, such as Q-Tips. You can also buy swabs with bamboo sticks, such as BOONBOO Cotton Swabs. This company is a certified B Corp, Climate Neutral, and 1% For the Planet member. Also available on Amazon.

Plastic bottles

Go Green: Stop buying bottled water

PLEASE stop buying bottled water! Plastic beverage bottles are the third most common item found littering coastal areas, behind cigarette butts and food wrappers/containers. I think this is one of the simplest items to eliminate from our lives, yet Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour, and each of these bottles takes around 450 years to decompose.

Rethink buying soda in bottles too. Coca-Cola has been the world’s largest plastic polluter for six years in a row, followed by Pepsi Co. and Nestle. While these companies are obviously not personally throwing their bottles into the ocean, they are certainly not working towards a solution to their large contributions to the plastic crisis.

In addition to contributing to pollution, drinking from plastic water bottles also poses potential health risks. Study results released in January 2024 reported that a one liter bottle of water contains approximately 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic. Microplastics have been discovered throughout our bodies, including our bloodstream and organs. Studies continue to show these tiny plastic particles are associated with negative health effects, related to both their physical presence as foreign bodies, as well as from the chemicals they contain, some of which are known endocrine disruptors and even carcinogens.

I know there are times where we might forget to bring our water with us, especially when beginning a new habit. And there may be some instances where using bottled water might be hard to escape, such as at large event or in places where the water isn’t potable. In these instances, hopefully you can find water packaged in aluminum bottle or can, such as Liquid Death’s Mountain Water. This is a better choice when in a pinch, provided it is available, and recycling is at hand. I have I have also seen water offered in a carton, such as Just Water or Boxed Water is Better, and while these are not plastic, they are not easily recycled.

Reusable water bottles

Top brands include:

• Kleen Kanteen is a Certified B Corp that is Climate Neutral certified and a 1% for the planet member. Their 18/8 stainless steel water bottles are made from 90% post-consumer certified recycled steel, certified by Intertek (a third-party verifier), and are free of BPA, lead, phthalates or heavy metals. You can choose a stainless steel lid for a totally plastic-free bottle.
• Hydro Flask uses a minimum of 80% recycled stainless steel in their water bottles. Choose a stainless steel lid for a plastic-free bottle. Their paper packaging comes from FSC certified forests and is printed with soy ink, and the company is working to decrease their overall emissions. Participating in Hydroflask’s trade-in program will net you $5 off your next purchase. They even have the capability to recycle the lids, too.
• Yeti creates water bottles from 18/8 stainless steel, which is third-party tested for the absence of BPA, phthalates, or lead. Their in-store buy-back program gives you $5 off a purchase when you bring your beat up bottle in for recycling.
• Thermoflask is the most economical choice for stainless steel. For a fraction of the price, purchase them at Costco, where they frequently go on sale. The bottles are composed of food-grade 18/8 stainless steel and are BPA-free, and in my experience they perform as well as the more expensive brands.

And for the love of God, please refrain from participating in the Stanley craze going on. Having a few reusable water bottles on hand is great so there is always a clean one, but buying a hundred of them in order to have certain colors defeats the entire purpose of decreasing waste. This is a classic display of overconsumption.

Filtered water bottle

Anyone who has traveled to a region where the water isn’t safe to drink knows the struggle of relying solely on plastic water bottles. Add the slim chances of recycling in these areas, and it becomes my worst nightmare.

LifeStraw, a Climate Neutral Certified B Corp, is dedicated to providing safe drinking water to those in need while prioritizing environmental sustainability. For every LifeStraw product sold, the company ensures a school child receives safe drinking water for a full school year. Their product line features Filtered Water Bottles equipped with a microfilter that protects against bacteria (including E. coli and Salmonella), parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, microplastics, sand, dirt, and cloudiness. I am looking forward to trying one of these bottles out next time I travel.

Get in the habit

Do what you need to to remember to grab your bottle when leaving the house. Put it by your keys, purse, or backpack. Get used to taking a bottle everywhere you go: to work, school, a friend’s house, running errands, and events. There are fill stations all over the place. I take my empty bottle to college football games and fill it up inside the stadium. Carry one in your car, purse, backpack, gym bag, or briefcase.

Plan ahead, like when you know you are going to be sitting in the hot sun for your kid’s football or soccer game. Take them on road trips and refill at gas stations or restaurants; take an empty bottle when you fly and fill up after going through security. It might take you an extra minute or two, but it’s worth saving a couple extra dollars while using less plastic.

Bread Tags

Go Green: Bakery bread

Bread baked at a local bakery tastes better, lacks preservatives, and will most likely come in a paper bag without a bread tag, unlike store-bought bread. Better yet, bring your own bread bag.

If you’re up to the task, learn to bake your own bread. If you already know how, try to set aside time to do it. I know easier said than done. I’ve really been trying to stay on top of bread baking so that we don’t have to rely on store-bought bread.

Go Green: Go digital

These can be hard to avoid, but if you can, opt for digital gift cards, museum passes, etc. For business owners, utilize non-plastic gift cards.

Reuse

• Reload gift cards to give to someone else.
• Return hotel key cards to front desk so they can be reprogrammed and reused for other guests.
• Use around the house: they make great tools to scrape dried gunk off your kitchen countertops, or to get air out from under wallpaper.

Can you recycle plastic cards?

Plastic cards are made from PVC, which is not an easy or common plastic to recycle. If you can find a PVC recycler in your area, you’re set. Otherwise, you’ll have to through them in the trash, unless you are willing to pay to recycle them. Terracycle’s Plastic Card Zero Waste Pouch is a hefty $48 for a pouch that holds around 50 cards. If you can find friends that will donate $1/card, it might make it more feasible. I have a Terracycle Plastic Packaging Zero Waste Box and was told by the company that plastic cards are acceptable to add to it.

More credit card companies are transitioning to metal cards. I recently had to have an AmEx card replaced, and with the new one I got an envelope to send the old one back for recycling. Hopefully other companies have that option.

And lastly, if all else fails, you could eat the card. After all, it is estimated that we ingest 5 grams of plastic every week, which is about the equivalent of a credit card. Yum. (Please don’t.)

Cigarette Butts

Go Green: Kick the habit, or at least toss butts in the trash.

The nurse in me wants to climb on my soapbox…but I will refrain. If you must continue smoking, consider an eco-friendlier cigarette brand, which are plastic-free.

Disposable coffee cups & lids

Go Green: Use your own mug

Bring your reusable drinkware of choice when you make your morning coffee run. The stainless steel Yeti tumbler is my husband’s absolute favorite travel coffee mug. Or try a STOJO collapsible cup that you can store in your bag or glovebox and keep handy for the times you might need an unplanned caffeine boost. Cups are made from LFGB certified silicone, leakproof, and are dishwasher and microwave safe. Buy at Amazon

If you need to purchase single use cups, go with compostable cups made from plant-based materials. However, these are not backyard compostable and require processing in a special facility.

Can you recycle coffee cups?

Disposable coffee cups and lids are generally not recyclable. Coffee cups made of paper have a waxy plastic coating and the two materials cannot be separated, making these types of cups non-recyclable.

One option is to drop coffee cups off at Subaru dealerships, who have a partnership with Terracycle to accept them for recycling. In addition to plastic and styrofoam cups, straws, coffee pods, creamer capsules, and candy/snack wrappers. You can check for other participating dealerships.

Coffee pods

Go Green: Reusable coffee pods

Single-serve coffee makers are very convenient, but the pods and capsules required are expensive and they create a lot of unneccessary waste. Coffee pods will average out to be anywhere from $20-40 per pound, compared to less than $10 per pound for bulk fresh beans.

Instead, go with a single-serve coffee maker or French press.

If you already have a coffee maker that uses pods, then purchase some reusable pods. There are plenty of both reusable Nespresso pods and reusable K-cup pods to choose from. I realize that these might be a bit of a pain to clean, but you can take an extra minute or two to do it.

Given the choice between the two major coffee pods brands, I would definitely go with Nespresso over Keurig. Nespresso is a Certified B Corp and has much more in the way of sustainability initiatives, including working with the Rainforest Alliance to source sustainably-grown coffee. Their pods are made of aluminum, which doesn’t contribute to plastic pollution and are infinitely recyclable.

Keurig is a bit ambigous about their coffee origins, stating that 100% of coffee is responsibly sourced, and is “grown and sold in adherence to a credible sourcing program that aligns with our Company Supplier Code of Conduct.” Their pods are made from plastic.

Coffee pod recycling

Nespresso capsules are made from aluminum, so they should be able to be recycled with other aluminum items. Or, with each order Nespresso will send you a free pre-paid envelope to return your coffee pods for recycling. There are also multiple collection points across the globe.

Keurig pods are made from #5 (PP) plastic, which is recyclable, but not everyone has access to recycling of this material. They do offer K-cycle bins, a box to collect empty K pods for recycling. However, the cost is $120 for a box that holds 175 pods, or $170 for a box that holds 450 pods.

Subaru dealerships have a partnership with Terracycle to collect coffee pods, as well as straws, plastic and styrofoam cups/lids, creamer capsules, and candy/snack wrappers. Check for participating dealerships.

Plastic cups

Go Green: Use regular cups

It’s time to add a new party acronym: in addition to BYOB, let’s BYOCup. Try this Ball Aluminum Cup that keeps your drink cold, or browse the myriad of options from Yeti. Again the STOJO collapsible cup is an easy portable option. If you have enough cups for entertaining, use your own, even if that means an extra dishwasher load.

For situations where disposable cups are needed, try Ball aluminum party cups.

Are plastic cups recyclable?

Recyclability depends on what type of plastic the cup is made from & what is accepted by your local recycler. It is likely that cups made from #1, #2, and #5 will be recyclable in most areas.

Terracycle does have a free mail-in program for rigid #6 plastic cups (think red solo party cup); they can be any brand.

Subaru dealerships have a partnership with Terracycle to accept plastic and styrofoam cups/lids, as well as straws, coffee pods, creamer capsules, and candy/snack wrappers. Check for other participating dealerships.

Straws & Stirrers

Plastic straws are another top 10 waste item found washed up on beaches.

Go Green: Skip or sip on reusable straws

Plastic-free stirrer options include products like these stainless steel stirrers, ones made from silicone, or find a fun design like these glass ones on Etsy.

If you must use a disposable straw, go with compostable, plant-based ones such as Bambu’s Disposable Bamboo Straws, which are USDA certified organic. Repurpose Compostable Marine Degradable PHA Straws are another solid choice.

For compostable stirrers, try these bamboo ones made by Mini Skater.

Can you recycle straws?

Straws are generally not recyclable. The only option is to drop them off at a Subaru dealership, which have a partnership with Terracycle to accept straws, as well as plastic and styrofoam cups/lids, coffee pods, creamer capsules, and candy/snack wrappers. Check for participating dealerships.

Trash bags

Go Green: Recycled or compostable trash bags

The best way to reduce trash bags? Create less waste. Otherwise, it’s a toss up whether recycled trash bags or compostable trash bags are the most ecofriendly choice.

You can go with compostable trash bags: If You Care, Green Paper Products, and Amazon have several options. However, compostable bags for collecting garbage that will end up buried in the landfill doesn’t make a lot sense to me, as they require they high heat of a commercial composting facility to break down. I thought they might decompose faster and with less byproducts than their plastic counterparts, but an article from the Columbia Climate School suggests the bags mummify along with the waste they hold.

The other option to consider is trash bags made from recycled materials. Grove, Seventh Generation, and If You Care all have tall kitchen options. For larger bags, If You Care makes a 30 gallon option. Glad makes one as well, although it is only composed of 50% recycled materials.

Of course, you can always skip purchasing bags and reuse old grocery bags to line trash cans.

Plastic utensil alternatives

Go Green: Reusable utensils

Buy a convenient little set like this SENHAI flatware set I purchased years ago. It has a stainless steel spoon, knife, fork, and chopsticks that come in a zippered neoprene pouch. I also have this great To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set, which includes a pouch made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. I’ve seen these sold at Whole Foods and you can also purchase them from EarthHero. Zefiro sells a fantastic plastic-free Reusable Cutlery Set made up of bamboo utensils and a straw, two metal straws, and a straw cleaner contained in a neat canvas roll.

I keep a set in my work bag and another in my purse, and I have a set for my son’s lunch box–he hasn’t ever lost them (knock on wood). They’re also great for travel, picnics, or camping. You can of course simply use utensils you already own and wrap them in a cloth napkin or other type of bag or pouch for this purpose.

When you order take out from home, make sure the restaurant knows you don’t need any utensils. I recently noticed that DoorDash has a comment/instruction section, and on my lasts order I requested no utensils or napkins since we were at home, and sure enough, they did not includ any.

If you’re entertaining, consider using your own silverware if you have enough, or buying a bunch from a local thrift store just for large gatherings. Doing some extra dishes is worth producing less waste.

Are plastic utensils recyclable?

Regular plastic utensils are not recyclable and must be discarded in the trash. If you have a collection of plastic utensil and condiment pouches from meal deliveries or takeout, check whether your local soup kitchen will take them.

Diapers

Disposable diapers have a significant environmental impact, starting with the numerous resources required for production. Nearly all disposable diapers contain plastic, namely polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition, they also contain wood pulp and/or cotton.

But even worse, a 2021 study stated that, “Unfortunately, disposable diaper manufacturers are reluctant to present their exact chemical composition, claiming that their trade secrets apply. However, several reports show that disposable diapers of well-known brands, “store” brands and “bio” brands may contain a number of toxic compounds.”

Even if made with recyclable or compostable materials, the stinky contents means disposable diapers go to the landfill where they will not biodegrade. And considering a single baby will probably go through between 5,000-6,000 disposable diapers before becoming potty trained, that’s a lot of waste. In fact, the EPA reports that in 2018, an estimated 4.1 million tons of disposable diapers ended up in landfills, 1.4% of total waste for that year.

Go Green: Reusable cloth diapers

Reusable cloth diapers generally have a lower environmental impact than single-use diapers. Cotton is resource intensive, but buying organic cotton helps to lessen this factor. The biggest ongoing impact from reusable diapers comes from the water and electricity used to launder them. Despite this, I think it is a good trade off compared to their fossil fuel-based, possibly chemical laden, and non-biodegradable counterparts.

These impacts can be lessened by adopting certain practices.

• Wash full loads in your washing machine
• Washing with cold water
• Using sustainable laundry detergent
• Using energy-efficient washing machines
• Line drying
• Reusing diapers as many times as possible.

Amazon has lots of reusable cloth diaper choices, as does Etsy. Here are Babycenter’s favorite cloth diapers. Ask around for a local diaper service recommedation.

Plant-based disposable diapers

For various reasons, reusable diapers may not be the most feasible option for you. Eco-friendlier disposable diapers minimize plastic use and use responsibly harvested tree pulp for their fluff.

• Dyper diapers – Certified USDA BioPreferred 55% Product, Certified OK Biobased certified by TÜV Austria, OEKO-TEX certified. These diapers contain FSC certified bamboo and are the most expensive of the disposable diapers at around $0.56 per diaper. However, they are the only company that offers recycling of their products, as described below. I have a friend who loves these diapers and the service they provide.
  • Available at Grove / Target

The following diapers are comparably priced around $0.35 per diaper. (For reference, the very cheapest brands I found online were around $0.17 per diaper.)

• Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers – tree fiber harvested from FSC certified forests in North America; free of latex, fragrance, or parabens; cruelty-free. OEKO-TEX certified. Diaper boxes are made from 100% PCR post recycled consumer cardboard.
  • Available at Target / Grove / Amazon
• Eco by Naty Eco Diapers – contain 0% oil-based plastic, FSC certified wood pulp, TUV Austria OK Biobased certified, vegan, OEKO-TEX certified
  • Available at Amazon

Can disposable diapers be recycled?

They are not recyclable, with the exception of Dyper brand diapers. The company offers a curbside pickup program that operates in 20 cities across the country. For $20/pickup, their drivers come every other week and take soiled diapers and wipes for composting. Read about their unique process. If you don’t live in one of their pickup areas, you can purchase their return bundle to send the soiled items to them for processing.

Baby wipes

Go Green: Reusable baby wipes

Many of the baby wipes on the market are actually not made from plant-based material. Instead, they are usually composed of polyester or polypropylene, both fossil-fuel based non-biodegradable plastics.

Using a reusable cloth instead of single-use disposable baby wipes is the greenest choice, as well as the most economical. Simply use a damp washcloth as a reusable wipe, such as Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Organic Cotton washcloths, which are GOTS certified. Available on Amazon.

Compostable baby wipes

Reusable wipes may not be feasible in certain situations, especially when you’re on the go. 100% plant-based, compostable baby wipes are the best choice.

• Caboo Bamboo Baby Wipes
  • 99.3% naturally derived ingredients, plastic-free
  • Unscented
  • MADE SAFE certified
  • Available at Amazon
• Dyper Simply Kind Baby Wipes – 99% water
  • Certified USDA BioPreferred 95% product
  • Sourced from FSC certified bamboo and
  • Certified by OEKO-TEX.
  • Hypoallergenic and unscented
    • Available at Grove / Target
• The Honest Company Clean Conscious Wipes – 99% water
  • USDA Certified Biobased Product
  • EWG verified
  • National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
  • Free of plastic, fragrances, parabens, and chlorine processing
  • Available at Target / Amazon
• Water Wipes – 99.9% water
  • Self-proclaimed “Purest wipes in the world” contains only two ingredients: water and a drop of fruit extract.
  • National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance,
  • vegan, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, cruelty-free.
  • Packaging is made from low density polyethylene and contains 30% post consumer recycled polyethylene. Boxes are made from recycled cardboard.
  • Available at Target / Amazon
• Eco by Naty –  98.4% water
  • Unscented
  • OK Compost TUV Austria certification
  • Available at Amazon

*Do not flush any wipe even when it claims to be ‘flushable.’ They are likely to lead to clogs pipes.

Can you compost baby wipes?

It is possible to compost wipes made from natural fiber if they were used to clean hands and face, surfaces etc.; if used to change diapers, they should be tossed in the trash.

Are baby wipes recyclable?

Baby wipes are not recyclable, with the exception of Dyper brand wipes (and diapers). They have a curbside pickup program that covers 20 cities across the country. For $20/pickup, their drivers come every other week and take soiled diapers and wipes for composting. Read about their unique process. If you don’t live in one of their pickup areas, you can purchase their return bundle to send the soiled items to them for processing.

Recycling baby wipe packaging

Recycle cardboard boxes. Most plastic packaging for baby wipes is made from #4/LDPE, which can be recycled with other plastic film.

Plastic toys

See Going Green with Kids page

Plastic packaging

Whether it’s plastic wrap, clamshells, bottles, or other containers, plastic packaging is everywhere. Literally. Next time you go shopping for groceries, personal care products, or anything else, just take note of the packaging you see. Just walk one aisle in a store and count how many packages don’t include plastic (hint: it’s not many).

Go Green: Seek products in non-plastic packaging

Finding products that meet your needs is already challenging. Add the requirement for clean, sustainably sourced ingredients, and it gets even trickier. Factor in plastic-free packaging, and it can feel nearly impossible. But that’s why you’re here, right? I’ve got lots of great recommendations, and I’m always sampling new products or coming across other great options.

Essentially, the main types of packaging you should seek are glass and any type of metal (aluminum, stainless steel, tin, etc.) because these materials are infinitely recyclable with no loss of quality and use a small fraction of the energy required to make the same items from virgin materials. Learn more about glass recycling and metal recycling here.

Paper and cardboard are other great packaging choices since they are recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. The best paper-based packaging are made from recycled materials, followed by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper, which verifies the paper came from responsibly-managed forests.

Read more about plastic packaging in this article by National Geographic.

Food packaging & wrappers

Go Green: Buy in bulk, buy loose produce, eat less processed foods

Cut down on packaging by buying refillable products or buying in bulk. Winco has a large selection of foods, candy, coffee, and pet food available in bulk. Take your own containers to a local bulk shop fill them with a variety of foods and personal care products.

We could all stand to eat less processed foods and more fresh, home cooked meals and snacks, which I know is much easier said than done.

I am currently working on building up sustainable food resources, so keep an eye out for new pages covering this very broad and important topic.

Recycling food packaging

Recycle plastic packaging as accepted by your local recycler.

Kroger has a partnership with Terracycle offering a free mail-in recycling program for their brand packaging.

Chip, candy, and snack wrappers that have foil-lined wrappers are very difficult to recycle since they contain metallic elements in addition to plastic. Terracycle has a wrapper zero waste box if you are willing to fork out the cash. Or you can drop them off at a Subaru dealership; they have a partnership with Terracycle to accept wrappers; they also accept styrofoam, plastic cups/lids, straws, coffee pods, and creamer capsules. Check for participating dealerships.

Ridwell is a the only hard-to-recycle collection service I’ve come across that takes all kinds of packaging, including multi-layer packaging, frozen food packaging, and snack wrappers. Unfortunately they aren’t in my neck of the woods but maybe they’re in yours.

Styrofoam (Expanded Polystyrene/ EPS)

To go containers

Go Green: Bring your own

Consider taking your own containers for leftovers when you go out to eat. These Stasher bags would be easy to…stash…in your purse or glovebox, although they are a little spendy. I have this great silicone STOJO Collapsible Bowl. Here’s a great list of other collapsible options.

Some takeout containers, especially the ones made from aluminum or heavy plastic, are very sturdy and can easily be washed and reused for food storage. Deli containers are also great for storing food and other random things; they came in handy when the kids when through a slime-making craze and I didn’t want to store that gunk in our regular food storage containers. I also use them when I am hosting people for dinner and sending them home with extra food.

Recycling to go containers

Depending on the material and local recycling availability. Aluminum containers are recyclable; the plastic lid might be. Plastic to go containers are most likely not going to be recyclable. Styrofoam takeout containers can’t be recycled, nor can coated paper products (think Chinese takeout).

Plastic Film

Go Green: Reduce use as able

What is plastic film?

Plastic films are made from polyethylene (PE), either high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is #2, or low density polyethylene (LDPE), #4. These are very difficult to avoid as they are found everywhere. Plastic films are not always labeled with the plastic resin code, but are easy to identify: think of the thin, stretchy plastic you find enclosing numerous products.

• Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags
• Zip-top food storage bags
• Plastic shipping mailers, bubble wrap and air pillows
• Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers, and female sanitary products
• Furniture and electronic wrap
• Plastic cereal box liners
• Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label

Do your best to avoid purchasing products that utilize plastic film packaging. There are plenty of alternatives to many products, including those listed above, that use plastic-free packaging. If you have favorite products that come wrapped in plastic, I encourage you to message those companies and let them know how you feel about their packaging. It’s become enough of an issue that I think that if enough people take simple actions like this, businesses just might listen.

Ziploc bags

Ziploc bags are one of those things that we have become so used to storing food and other items in that we may not even realize it. I get it, they’re convenient, and I acknowledge that in some cases they might be the only realistic option. But even those cases, there are better options. You’ll be surprised at how far you can get without using a single one of those clear plastic bags.

It is possible to wash and reuse zip top bags, which is not uncommon, although it is not recommended if they were used to hold raw meat. While reusing does increase the lifespan of these bags, and may decrease consumption overall, it still doesn’t change the fact that they are not biodegradable and will ultimately end up in a landfill. In addition, reuse causes them to break down quicker, which is concerning for increased leaching of chemicals such as PFAS, aka ‘forever chemicals’ that have adverse health effects. The consumer watchdog blogger Mamavation tested multiple brands of single-use food storage bags and detected the presence of PFAS in 81% of them.

Clean and dry food storage bags can be dropped off with your other plastic film recycling.

Go Green: Reusable ziploc bags

Since I purchased reusable bags, my plastic bag use has dropped to nearly zero.

Silicone food storage bags

My top choice for reusable food storage bags goes to Stasher. These bags are popular for a reason: they are the only line of reusable bags made from silicone, which is not biodegradable but is not plastic. Stasher uses premium food-grade silicone in their products, which is deemed food-safe by the FDA as well as meeting the EU food safety certification. Products are also free of lead, latex, BPA, BPS, or other phthalates.

The bags are very durable and are even safe to cook in, unlike bags made from PEVA. They can handle temperatures up to 425°F in the oven, microwave, and sous vide, and are also freezer-safe. They are the easiest to close of any reusable zip top bag I have tried. They come in all kinds of sizes and fun colors, although I do wish they made larger sizes; the largest size they currently make is a half-gallon bag.

If/when the bags ever become unusable, they can be recycled for free via a mail-in program with Terracycle, but that day won’t come anytime soon. The only downside to these bags is they carry a hefty price tag–one sandwich-sized bag is $12.99. That may feel like a lot up front, but considering this bag will save you close to a lifetime of ziploc bags, consider it an investment. Try buying one next time you run out of ziplocs, and another later on. I have frequently seen them discounted on Amazon.

Food Huggers is a Certified B Corp that is another brand alternative for silicone bags, which are made with platinum-grade silicone. These Hugger Bags, however, only come in two sizes–13oz and 30 oz–although the company offers other Food Huggers designed to preserve specific foods such as cheese or produce, including avocados and citrus. And like Stashers, the company offers a recycling program for worn products through Terracycle, and also give tips for upcycling old huggers.

Zip Top is another company that makes food storage bags from silicone. The sizes and styles are similar to Stashers, as are the prices. Their best and most unique product may be their Breast Milk Freezer Storage Set, which I would have love to have back in my breastfeeding days.

PEVA food storage bags

All other reusable bags that I have come across are made from PEVA, polyethylene vinyl acetate, which is a type a plastic. This material is regarded as a safer, chlorine-free alternative to vinyl products, like shower curtain liners. These are generally free of lead, phthalates, and BPA and are labeled as food-safe. However, there is a possibility that they could leach VOCs into food, making them unsafe, at least as a 2014 study determined. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of current information regarding its actual safety, which is why I decided to primarily used silicone bags.

In any case, reusable PEVA bags are a much better choice than disposable ones, and I do own quite a few. The best brand in this category is (re)zip. These bags are made from FDA-grade PEVA, which is third-party tested for safety and are free from phthalates, BPA, and lead. The bags close easily, and some come with a traditional zipper, making them ideal for storing non-food items. They come in gallon sizes and have a line of products for pet snacks and food, which can accomodate up to 40 cups. They can be found at Target and Amazon. And like Stashers, (re)zip bags can be mailed for free to Terracycle for recycling.

I do own a couple other brands: these SPLF gallon-size bags and this set of Qinline assorted sizes. They are also great, but if I had to pick, I would go with the Stashers. I will admit, nobody in the house loves washing these bags, but I have this drying rack to help the process.

I will admit, nobody in my house loves washing the reusable bags, but this Marbrasse drying rack helps the process. For a plastic-free drying rack, try bamboo, such as the Zefiro drying rack, or stainless steel, like Grove’s Multi-Purpose Drying Rack.

Compostable food storage bags

For times you might need a disposable food storage bag, try sandwich and snack bags made from compostable paper.

• If You Care Paper Snack & Sandwich Bags are made in Sweden with FSC-certified unbleached pulp of spruce trees. They are free from chlorine or any wax coating and are certified home compostable by TUV Austria. You can find them at many grocery stores such as Whole Foods or online on Grove or Amazon.

There are compostable plastic ziplock bags available, but these are generally too good to be true. Nearly all ‘compostable’ plastics are not appropriate for backyard composting. They require processing under very high heat in a commercial composting facility, which are rare.

Still, if given the choice between compostable bags and traditional ziplocs, compostable is easily the better choice. These are at least plant-based rather than petroleum based, and are biodegradable.

• BioBag is a Certified B Corp that produces resealable food storage bags in gallon, quart, sandwich, and snack sizes, made from the starches of GMO free crops and are free of BPA and PFAS. They are certified BPI Compostable and TUV Austria Industrially Compostable. Products are made in the USA. Also available at Whole Foods, Grove, and Amazon.

Plastic wrap (Saran wrap)

Plastic wrap is made from polyethylene, PVC, or PVCD and it is used A LOT. In the United States, every year we purchase enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.

This thin, clingy plastic is great at preserving food, but like any plastic, leaches microplastics and chemicals in the process. It is also challenging to recycle, often clogging machinery. And recycled plastic wrap is costlier than those using virgin materials. If not recycled, both PVC and PVDC can release a highly toxic chemical called dioxin when incinerated or left in a landfill.

Click here to learn more about plastic film and how to recycle it.

Go Green: Sustainable alternatives to plastic wrap

• Keep it simple. Use a plate to cover bowls.

• Reusable food storage bags, as detailed in the previous section.

• Reusable, non-toxic food containers. Head to the next section to discover more.

• Reusable bowl covers. Instead of using plastic wrap to cover a bowl, try a bowl cover such as Zefiro Reusable Silicone Lids. They come in a variety of sizes that actually fit bowls, jars, and cups quite nicely. Also available at EarthHero.

• Beeswax wrap. These wraps are great for both covering bowls and wrapping foods.
  • I like Bee’s Wrap, made with GOTS certified organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil, and tree resin. They also have a vegan line of wraps that uses coconut and soy in place of beeswax. According to the company, the wraps can be composted or used as a natural fire starter at the end of their life. Products are made in the USA and the company is a Certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member.
  • Meli Wraps is a Hawaiian-based company that utilizes local Hawaiian beeswax, natural tree extracts, and 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton in their wraps.

• Biodegradable plastic wrap. Hopefully the previous options are adequate for any situation, but in a case where only a disposable option will suffice, look for a biodegradable plastic wrap. Again, just like with biodegradable plastic bags, these products usually require special conditions to fully decompose, which are not available to most people, so use sparingly.
  • Zefiro Compostable Cling Wrap – BPI certified compostable cling wrap made from PLA and Biobased PBAT is made to naturally biodegrade or can be composted in a home or industrial compost facility.

Produce bags

Go Green: Reusable produce bags

Skip using the thin plastic produce bags. Buy loose produce, and if you are only getting one item, or even a few, you don’t necessarily need a bag for it.

Many grocery stores carry reusable mesh produce bags in the produce section, or there’s plenty of great choices online. My favorites include:

• Grove Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags
• Chico Bag Mesh Produce Bag or Produce Moisture Lock Bag
• Package Free GOTS-certified cotton mesh or solid produce bags
• Etsy

Plastic shopping bags

Have you wondered which is worse when you’re asked, “Paper or plastic?” This is just as complicated as you thought. In a nutshell, despite using petroleum, production of plastic grocery store bags actually creates less waste, emissions, and harmful byproducts compared to the production other types of bags. In addition, they are recyclable, although most aren’t actually recycled. Downsides are that they are so lightweight that they easily fly away and clog machinery in recycling facilities, and they eventually and break down into tiny microplastics, infiltrating soil, water, air, and even our bodies.

By comparison, paper bags are easier to recycle and in addition to being compostable. But unless made from recycled paper, a tree was cut down to make it. Additional resources like water, pesticides, and fertilizers must also be accounted for. Because of this, manufacturing a paper bag takes about four times as much energy as it takes to produce a plastic bag, and studies have shown that a paper bag would have to be used anywhere from three to 43 times to make up for its environmental impact.

It’s complicated

The solution to the conundrum above is to choose neither and bring your own reusable bags They can be found in many different materials, and the environmental impact of these materials varies. Of course this isn’t straightforward either.

One study found that cotton bags have to be reused thousands of times before having a comparable environmental footprint to plastic bags. At first that may seem surprising, but consider the resources that go into growing, harvesting, and producing cotton before it becomes a bag. Personally, I still like the idea of a natural material over plastic when given the choice.

Materials other than cotton, however, perform much better in sustainability metrics. Nonwoven polypropylene (PP) is a popular option. Made from a more durable kind of plastic, these bags need to be reused around eleven times to break even with the impact of conventional plastic.

Go Green: Reusable bags

The best choice is to shop with bags you already own; there’s a good chance you might already have reusable bags hanging around. If you have sewing skills, you can upcycle old clothing to make your own bags. If you need to, purchase new bags dedicated for this purpose. Many grocery stores sell them. I like to have some bags designated for groceries, and others for other types of purchases, like clothing.

A cotton canvas tote is probably the most durable non-plastic shopping bag option. These are easily found at stores like Target. The SPIKRAK Shopping bag at IKEA is a steal at $2.99.

You can go with bags made from recycled materials, like these made by Earthwise, or shop for all kinds of great style and material options on Etsy.

ChicoBags are my favorite portable shopping bag. These bags stuff into a small pouch that I keep one in my purse to ensure I have a bag handy wherever I go. The company is a Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral certified, and a 1% for the Planet member. Also available on Amazon.

BeeGreen reusable shopping bags found on Amazon are a more budget-friendly choice at $20 for six bags.

6-Pack plastic rings

6-pack plastic rings, or soda ring carriers, are made from #4/LDPE, so they can be recycled along with other plastic films. Another option is to send them in a pre-paid envelope to Ring Recycle Me.

Plastic film recycling

Unfortunately, plastic film can NOT be put into your mixed recycling bin because it clogs facility machinery. There are many locations where you can drop off these items, usually located in store entrances. Make sure everything is clean and dry. Search for the nearest drop-off location here. Some sites may differ on exactly what films are accepted. National locations include stores like Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, or Winco.

Another option, also through Terracycle, is a mail-in program for plastic packaging recycling. You purchase a box from them, complete with a shipping label, and when you have filled it, you return it to them for recycling. It is very convenient and accepts rigid plastics in addition to plastic film, but it is spendy.

Recyclops services some areas by picking up harder to recycle items from your house, including plastic films. Textiles, light bulbs, and batteries are also included; styrofoam and clamshell pickup is available for an additional fee.

Ridwell is another option for hard-to-recycle items. They also collect plastic films, along with an extensive list of other items.

Plant Pots

Go Green: Reuse your plant pots

I always save various sizes for repotting plants. Check with your local garden center or nursery to see if they will accept them back for reuse. Many smaller nurseries or growers will be glad to take them back.

Usually plant pots are made from #5 (PP) so you can recycle them if your local recycling accepts that type of plastic. Or you can take them to Home Depot or Lowe’s for recycling. (There’s a good chance the employees are not aware of store programs).

Final thoughts on ways to reduce plastic use

Cutting down on plastic use in your daily life can be extremely difficult, but of all the changes we can make in our lives to live more sustainably, I strongly believe this is one of the most important. Decreasing fossil fuel dependence, cutting down on microplastic production, eliminating exposure to toxic chemicals used to manufacture plastic, and discouraging plastic pollution are all very important reasons why taking action is vital.

Switching to plastic-free alternatives is required to decrease plastic production, as well as the need for recycling this complex item in the first place. As consumers, we must put our money behind companies that prioritize sustainable packaging as we are able. Send messages to your favorite companies asking them to change their packaging materials.

A plastic-free life is often much less convenient, but our health and that of our planet’s are worth the effort.