Is it possible to go plastic free in your home?

 
Do you think is it possible to go plastic free in your home?



The short answer? Yes! It is possible to go plastic-free in your home, what you really need to learn is how to go about it. It’s not something you can necessarily do overnight, it will take some time and there’s a fair bit to learn. But once you’ve set yourself up for success, a plastic-free home is a sure thing.

The next big question on your mind will be - “how on earth do I do it then?” We’ve got you covered, it starts in your bathroom.

 

Going plastic-free in the bathroom



One of the most plastic-filled areas of your home is your bathroom. One way to go plastic-free in your bathroom is to make a list of everything that’s plastic in the cabinets. You’ll be amazed at how many plastic items are in there. Once you’ve made a list, you can swap them out for plastic-free alternatives.

Here are just a few ideas for some of the most popular bathroom plastic items:

 

 

  • Shampoo bottles - replace with shampoo bars
  • Conditioner bottles - replace with conditioner bars
  • Liquid soap - replace with soap bars
  • Hand sanitisers - replace with refillable sanitiser
  • Plastic toothbrush - replace with bamboo alternatives
  • Toothpaste tube - replace with toothpaste tablets

 

These items are often the biggest culprits of plastic in the bathroom. Eliminate them and you’ll be ready to move onto the next room.

Going plastic-free in the kitchen



Your kitchen is another big contributor when it comes to your plastic usage. Let’s put food aside for a second because that deserves its own category altogether. In your kitchen, especially under the sink will be a plethora of cleaning products. All with their own plastic bottle.

It’s important to note that cleaning products must be stored in safe and sealable containers out of the reach of children. But opting for a refillable cleaning product is a quick way to eliminate all that plastic. Invest in some glass bottles and then order subscription cleaning products. These often come in biodegradable sachets or tablets - all you need to do is dissolve them in water and you’re good to go!

Plastic-free food products


After you’ve tackled the cleaning products, it’s time to take a look at your food. Food can be problematic, especially as a lot of items have unnecessary plastic film covering them. Start with the items in your cupboard - these are the easiest to tackle and you’ll find the majority of the foods in zero-waste stores.

As the plastic-free movement gains more and more traction, zero waste stores are popping up all across the country. In them, you’ll find dry items like cereal, rice, pasta, oats, seeds, legumes and plenty more. Invest in some glass jars, take them to the zero-waste stores, and get your fill on dry foods. You’ll eliminate a lot of plastic this way.

Once you’ve tackled the dry food store and pantry, it’s time to tackle the foods that live in your fridge. Mainly meat. Head back to basics and start shopping at your local butcher. Not only will you find the quality of meat tends to be higher - you’ll realise there’s less plastic wrapping too! Some butchers will even let you bring your own reusable container to collect the meat - complete zero waste!

You see, by removing plastic from the kitchen and the bathroom you significantly reduce your plastic use. To remove the rest will be to take it one item at a time. It doesn’t matter what you’re buying, there is more than likely a plastic-free option for it. It’s just a case of taking the time to source one item at a time. It’s certainly possible to go plastic-free in your home, it just takes a bit of time and effort.