How do you get rid of plastic in your house?

Here's a quick guide to reducing plastic in your home:

Check your plastic use
Replace single-use items with reusables
Buy products with less or no plastic packaging
Choose durable items made from sustainable materials
Make your own cleaning products and toiletries

Key areas to focus on:

Area	Ways to Reduce Plastic
Kitchen	Use glass containers, beeswax wraps, cloth bags
Bathroom	Try bar soaps, bamboo toothbrushes, metal razors
Cleaning	Make DIY cleaners, use cloth rags
Shopping	Bring reusable bags, buy in bulk
Outdoors	Choose metal or wood garden tools and furniture

Start small:

Replace items as they wear out
Reuse plastic before recycling
Teach others about reducing plastic use
Track your progress and celebrate small wins

Remember, every little bit helps in creating a more sustainable home and planet.

Check Your Plastic Use

Finding out how much plastic you have at home is a good first step to use less of it. This helps you see what plastic items you have and make a plan to replace them with better options.

Do a Plastic Count

To check your plastic use:

1. Get ready: You'll need paper, a pen, and boxes for sorting.

2. Look in each room: Go through your whole house, including the kitchen, bathroom, living areas, and outside.

3. Make a list: Write down every plastic thing you find. Group them by type (like food wrapping, bathroom items, cleaning stuff).

4. Count items: Write down how many of each plastic thing you have.

5. Check how often you use them: Note if you use each item a lot or a little, and if you throw it away after one use or use it many times.

Common Plastic Items

Here's a list of plastic things many people have at home:

Item	Problem
Water bottles	Fill up trash dumps, can break into tiny bits
Food containers	Might leak chemicals into food when hot
Plastic bags	Hurt sea animals, block waterways
Throw-away forks and spoons	Don't break down, often not recycled
Plastic straws	Can harm sea animals if they eat them

Make a Swap Plan

To start using less plastic:

1. Start with the big stuff: First, replace things you throw away after one use and items you use a lot.

2. Find better options: Look for things made of glass, metal, or bamboo instead of plastic.

3. Set small goals: Begin with easy changes and slowly work on harder ones.

4. Make a schedule: Pick dates to replace different plastic items to stay on track.

5. Keep checking: Look at how much plastic you use now and then, and be happy about the changes you've made.

Cut Plastic in the Kitchen

The kitchen often has lots of plastic. Here are some easy ways to use less plastic when cooking and eating.

Better Food Storage

Try these instead of plastic containers:

Container Type	Benefits
Glass	Strong, safe for food, can be heated
Stainless steel	Doesn't rust, lasts long, easy to clean
Silicone bags	Bendable, light, easy to store

Replace plastic containers bit by bit as they wear out. This makes the change easier and costs less.

Swap Wrap and Bags

Instead of plastic wrap and bags, use:

Beeswax wraps: Made from cotton with beeswax, can be shaped around food
Cloth bowl covers: Fit over bowls, made from safe cotton
Silicone food bags: Can be frozen or used for cooking, last longer than plastic

You can wash and reuse plastic bags a few times before recycling them.

Shop with Less Plastic

Start using less plastic when you buy food:

Use cloth bags for groceries and produce
Buy things like grains and nuts from bulk bins using your own containers
Pick foods in glass, paper, or cardboard packages when you can
Go to farmers' markets where you can put food right into your own containers

Remove Bathroom Plastic

The bathroom is a good place to start using less plastic at home. By making a few easy changes, you can cut down on waste a lot.

Change Toiletries

Switch to better options for common bathroom items:

Item	Better Option
Shampoo	Solid bar
Conditioner	Solid bar
Body wash	Bar soap
Toothpaste	Tablets
Toothbrush	Bamboo
Deodorant	Refillable

These swaps cut down on plastic and often don't have bad chemicals.

Better Personal Care

Use items that last longer and make less waste:

Use safety razors instead of plastic ones
Try floss that breaks down naturally
Use cups or washable pads for periods
Pick cotton swabs with paper sticks

These choices often save money over time and help the earth.

Cut Single-Use Items

Stop using things you throw away after one use:

1. Use bar soap: It lasts longer and has less packaging.

2. Try cloth wipes: Wash and reuse them instead of throwing away.

3. Refill bottles: Find shops where you can refill shampoo and soap.

4. Buy better toilet paper: Look for brands wrapped in paper, not plastic.

Less Plastic in Living Areas

Living rooms and bedrooms often have hidden plastic. By finding and replacing these items, you can use less plastic at home.

Find Common Plastics

Many everyday things in our living spaces have plastic:

Item	Plastic Parts
Furniture	Fake leather, foam
Electronics	Outer cases, wires
Decor	Picture frames, fake plants
Fabrics	Polyester curtains, soft throws

Better Home Items

Use these instead of plastic things:

Item	Better Choice
Furniture	Wood, metal, or bamboo
Curtains	Cotton or linen
Decor	Glass or ceramic
Storage	Cloth or jute baskets

For electronics, try used ones or those with less plastic packaging. When you can, pick products that are easy to recycle.

Less Plastic in Clothes

Clothes can make tiny plastic bits. To use less:

Pick natural fabrics like cotton, wool, linen, and hemp
Buy used clothes
Rent clothes for big events
Look for brands that use old plastic or plastic that breaks down

When shopping, look at labels closely. Even a little fake fabric can make plastic bits when washed.

Tip: Use a Cora Ball in your wash to catch tiny plastic bits before they go into water.

Clean Without Plastic

Here's how to clean your home without using plastic:

Natural Cleaners

Make your own cleaners to avoid plastic bottles:

Mix white vinegar, water, and essential oils in a glass spray bottle for all-purpose cleaning
Clean windows with vinegar and water
Use vinegar to remove limescale from kettles and taps
Put baking soda in your fridge and on soft furnishings to remove smells

For tough stains:

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste
Put it on the stain for 30 minutes
Scrub with a brush or old bamboo toothbrush

Plastic-Free Laundry

Try these options for washing clothes without plastic:

Option	What it is
Earth Breeze Eco Sheets	Paper-wrapped sheets, plant-based, good for stains
Soap Nuts	Natural, can be used many times
Laundry Strips	Strong soap in paper wrapping
Powder Detergent	Comes in cardboard boxes

Earth Breeze Eco Sheets cost $0.33 per wash (or $0.22 if you get them regularly). They're good for people with sensitive skin and don't harm the earth.

Better Cleaning Tools

Use these instead of plastic cleaning tools:

Brushes: Pick ones with wooden handles and natural bristles
Scrubbers: Use coconut fiber or wooden scrub brushes
Cloths: Choose washable dishcloths made from plant materials and old cotton
Mops and Brooms: Look for wooden or bamboo handles with natural fiber heads
Dusters: Use feather dusters or cloths you can wash and use again

For dishes, try a wooden brush with heads you can change. For toilets and other places, use brushes made from beechwood and coconut fiber. These break down naturally and clean well.

Kids' Items Without Plastic

Here's how to cut down on plastic in children's things:

Toys Without Plastic

Pick toys made from better materials:

Material	Good Points
Wood	Strong, lasts long
Cloth	Soft, easy to wash
Bamboo	Light, breaks down in nature
Natural rubber	Bends, not harmful

These toys are safer for kids and better for the earth.

School Things Without Plastic

Get school items that are good for the earth:

Item	Better Choice
Notebooks	Made from old paper
Pens	Made from bamboo or old plastic
Pencils	Wood from good forests
Markers	Break down in nature
Glue	Made from plants

Look for brands like Onyx + Green and eco-kids. These help teach kids about taking care of the earth.

Kids' Clothes With Less Plastic

Choose better fabrics for kids' clothes:

Pick cotton, wool, or linen
Stay away from man-made fabrics like polyester
Use wooden or metal buttons
Look for clothes colored with natural dyes

For big events, try renting clothes or buying used ones. This saves money and makes less waste. By doing these things, you show kids how to live in a way that's good for the earth.

Cut Outdoor Plastic Use

Here's how to use less plastic outside your home:

Better Garden Tools

Pick tools that last long and don't use plastic:

Material	Good Points	Examples
Metal	Lasts long, can be recycled	Steel trowels, pruning shears
Wood	Breaks down, grows back	Rakes, spades with wood handles
Bamboo	Grows fast, light	Plant markers, stakes

Look for tools with metal parts and wood handles. These work well and make less waste.

Outdoor Furniture Without Plastic

Make your outdoor space nice without using plastic:

1. Good Wood: Pick wood from places that grow trees the right way. Use safe oils to keep it nice.

2. Old Plastic: Some furniture is made from old plastic. It's still plastic, but it uses stuff that's already here.

3. Metal Chairs and Tables: These last long and can handle rain and sun.

4. Better Fabrics: For cushions, pick stuff made from old things. It lasts long and is good for the earth.

Less Plastic in Yard Work

Here's how to take care of your yard with less plastic:

1. Use Leaves and Grass: Instead of plastic bags of mulch, use leaves and cut grass around plants.

2. Make Your Own Plant Food: Turn food scraps into good dirt for plants. This means you don't need to buy plastic bags of plant food.

3. Buy Dirt in Big Amounts: Get soil from places that sell a lot at once. This means less plastic bags.

4. Better Plant Pots: Use these instead of plastic pots:

Pot Type	Good Things About It
Clay	Lets air in, good for plants that don't need much water
Coconut Shell	Breaks down, keeps water well
Old Paper	Can go in compost, good for small plants

Handle Existing Plastics

Here's how to deal with plastic items you already have at home:

How to Recycle Right

To recycle plastic well:

1. Check the number: Look for numbers 1-7 on plastic items. Different numbers need different recycling.

2. Clean and dry: Wash plastic things and dry them before recycling.

3. Take off other parts: Remove metal tops, paper stickers, or other bits that aren't plastic.

4. Squash bottles: This makes more room in recycling bins.

5. Know local rules: Ask what plastics your area recycles.

Plastic Number	What It Is	Can You Recycle It?
1 (PET)	Soda bottles	Yes, in most places
2 (HDPE)	Milk jugs	Often yes
4 (LDPE)	Plastic bags	Not in most home bins
5 (PP)	Yogurt cups	Sometimes

Use Plastic Items Again

Before recycling, try using plastic things in new ways:

Keep food in clean plastic boxes
Use plastic bottles to hold pens or art stuff
Make plant pots from big plastic containers
Turn plastic bottles into toys or decorations
Give good plastic items to schools or groups

Get Rid of Non-Recyclables

For plastics you can't recycle or use again:

1. Look for special recycling: Some stores take back plastic bags.

2. Make new things: Turn old plastic into something useful.

3. Throw away safely: If you can't recycle it, put it in the trash so it doesn't hurt nature.

4. Buy less next time: Remember which plastics you couldn't recycle and try not to buy them again.

Keep Your Home Plastic-Free

Build New Habits

To keep your home free of plastic, try these new habits:

1. Shop smart: Look for items without plastic packaging. Pick things in cardboard or paper. Bring your own bags for groceries and produce.

2. Replace bit by bit: Don't throw out all your plastic at once. When something breaks, get a non-plastic option instead. For example, use metal forks instead of plastic ones.

3. Use things again: Before you recycle plastic, see if you can use it for something else. Clean plastic boxes can hold non-food items.

Teach Others

Help others learn about using less plastic:

1. Show kids: Help children understand why less plastic is good. Let them help with tasks that don't use plastic.

2. Share online: Post tips about using less plastic on social media. This can help your friends learn too.

3. Set an example: When people visit, show them how you avoid plastic. This can start talks about using less plastic.

Track Your Progress

Keep an eye on how much plastic you're using:

Method	What to Do	Why It Helps
Check your trash	Look at what you throw away	Shows where you can do better
Take pictures	Take photos of non-plastic items you use	Lets you see how you've changed
Set goals	Try to use less plastic each month	Gives you something to work towards

1. Use an online tool: Find out how much plastic your family uses. Many websites have tools to help you count this.

2. Join a group: Find people who also want to use less plastic. You can share ideas and help each other.

3. Be happy about changes: Feel good about using less plastic, even if it's just a little bit. Every bit helps make your home and the world better.

Conclusion

Getting rid of plastic at home takes time and effort. Here's a quick look at what you can do:

Step	Action
1	Check how much plastic you use
2	Use things you can use again instead of throw-away plastic
3	Buy stuff with less or no plastic wrapping
4	Get strong items made from good materials
5	Make your own cleaning stuff and bathroom items

Remember, you don't have to change everything at once. Small steps help too. As you use less plastic, you might find that it makes your life easier and saves you money.

You can help others learn about using less plastic:

Talk about it on social media
Tell your friends and family
Show people how you do it

Keep track of how you're doing:

What to Do	Why It Helps
Look at your trash	See where you can do better
Take pictures of non-plastic items	See how you've changed
Try to use less plastic each month	Gives you a goal

Feel good about the changes you make, even small ones. Every bit helps make your home and the world better.

FAQs

How to get rid of plastic in your house?

To cut down on plastic at home, try these steps:

Area	What to Do
Kitchen	- Use glass or metal containers for food - Try beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap - Bring your own bags when shopping
Bathroom	- Make your own soaps and shampoos - Keep them in glass jars - Use wooden toothbrushes and metal razors
On the Go	- Carry a water bottle and travel mug - Keep reusable forks and spoons in your bag
Shopping	- Buy big amounts to use less packaging - Bring your own containers to stores that sell in bulk

Here's how to start:

1. In the Kitchen

Switch to glass or metal boxes for leftovers
Use cloth bags for fruits and veggies at the store

2. In the Bathroom

Make simple soaps at home
Pick toothbrushes made from wood or bamboo

3. When You're Out

Always carry a water bottle
Keep a set of metal forks and spoons in your bag or car

4. When Shopping

Buy big sizes to cut down on packaging
Take your own jars to stores that let you fill up