EASY SWAPS FOR COMMON PLASTIC ITEMS
We all know that something must be done to reduce the amount of plastic trash in the oceans. Some is visible but the majority is degraded into a soupy mess that is eaten and travels up the food chain to us while leaching toxins as it degrades. The good news is that we can make some easy swaps that might help. Here are some hints for plastic toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss, thin plastic bags for produce, plastic straws & cutlery, plastic wrap & bags, plastic containers for dish and clothes washing products and an easy way to collect micro-plastic fibers.
Plastic toothbrushes can be replaced with those made from bamboo. Some brands have biodegradable bristles. There are also straws and cutlery made from bamboo that decompose. One can carry with them such a bamboo straw and “spork” when given a choice of using plastic-- Metal straws are also reusable and convenient. Be sure and tell the server, “no straws” before they place them on your table. Also do not purchase plastic cutlery and encourage groups to use regular cutlery or bamboo or those made with wood. Toothpaste can be purchased in glass bottles or in tablet form. Just say no to plastic bags and bring reusable bags to do your shopping. At the produce department, use mess bags to hold items. One can purchase reusable covers of different sizes to replace plastic wrap or use glass containers with lids. One can also purchase silicone pouches to replace zip lock baggies. A single household could be using hundreds of plastic bottles holding dish washing and clothes washing products each year. Switch to using bar soap and natural sponges for dish washing and “soap sheets” for clothes washing. Soap pods may or may not be adding plastics to the waste- water stream—check it out. Finally, if you have fuzzy sweaters or pants, please get a mesh “guppy-friend” bag that will contain the microfibers and prevent them from getting into the waste-water stream.
EARTH STEWARD ACTION: Add these swaps to your New Years Resolution List. The oceans await your action.
SOURCES: https://oneworldoneocean.com/ , https://nervi.com/11-nature-friendly-substitutes-for-disposable-plastic/ https://mindseteco.co/dish-soap-bars/https://lifewithoutplastic.com/bath-body-dental-hygeine/https://homechit.com/best-laundry42/guppy-friend-laundry-bag/ -soap-sheets/https://www.rei.com/products/143742/guppy-friend-laundry-bag/