Last Updated on March 12, 2025
Let’s face it—plastic is everywhere. From our kitchen cabinets to our closets, this persistent material has woven itself into nearly every aspect of our daily lives. But as we learn more about how plastic affects both our health and the environment, many of us are looking to make changes.
The good news? You don’t need to toss everything plastic in your home overnight (please don’t!).
Instead, I’m sharing my top 10 plastic-free swaps, ranked from easiest to most challenging, with practical suggestions for what to do with your old plastic items.
Because reducing plastic exposure isn’t just about buying new stuff—it’s about making thoughtful choices that benefit both your health and the planet.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.
why reduce plastic? it’s not just about saving turtles
When I first started cutting back on plastic years ago, my motivation wasn’t environmental. It was personal—I had just learned about synthetic estrogens like BPA and phthalates that lurk in plastic containers and can disrupt our hormones.
Even with “BPA-free” labels becoming common, many plastics now contain similar harmful compounds like BPS and BPF. These chemicals can migrate into our food and beverages, especially when exposed to heat, fats, or acids.
More and more research shows microplastics turning up in our bloodstreams, and the health implications aren’t fully understood yet. But you don’t need to panic-replace everything—let’s take a measured, practical approach instead.
10 impactful plastic-free swaps (easiest to hardest)
1. bring your own bags, bottles, and mugs
Difficulty: Easy as pie
This is the gateway swap to plastic-free living. Keep reusable shopping bags in your car, purse, or backpack. Carry a stainless steel or glass water bottle. Bring your own mug to the coffee shop.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Reuse plastic shopping bags as trash can liners or dog poop bags until they wear out
- Wash and donate clean plastic water bottles to schools for art projects
- Keep one plastic water bottle as your dedicated garden watering bottle
2. ditch the tea bags
Difficulty: Surprisingly simple
Many tea bags contain plastic that releases billions of microplastic particles into your cup. Plus, loose leaf tea often tastes better anyway!
What to do with your old plastic:
- Opt for loose leaf tea
- Use tea bags that can go in compost (though the plastic won’t break down)
- Unused tea bags with plastic can be cut open and you can use the tea leaves with your own strainer.
3. swap out plastic wrap
Difficulty: Just a small habit change
Plastic wrap is usually unnecessary in a home kitchen and contains plasticizers that can leach into food. Replace with:
- Beeswax wraps (or vegan alternatives)
- Silicone stretch lids
- Simply putting a plate over a bowl
What to do with your old plastic:
- Keep one roll for truly necessary uses like covering raw meat in the fridge
- Use existing plastic wrap to seal paint cans or protect items during moving
4. replace plastic food storage bags
Difficulty: A bit more planning
Single-use plastic bags aren’t just wasteful—they also leach chemicals into food, especially fatty or acidic foods.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Wash and reuse existing bags for storing dry items like buttons or screws
- Keep a few for freezer use where contact with food is minimal
- Use as trash bags for small bathroom bins
5. switch to plastic-free tea towels and cleaning cloths
Difficulty: Medium
Many “microfiber” cleaning cloths are made from polyester (plastic). Natural fiber alternatives like cotton, linen, or hemp work just as well without shedding microplastics.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Keep using synthetic cloths for non-food cleaning until they wear out
- Repurpose as rags for truly dirty jobs like car maintenance
6. replace plastic cutting boards
Difficulty: Medium
Every slice into a plastic cutting board creates tiny plastic particles that can end up in your food. Wood or bamboo boards are more sanitary and environmentally friendly.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Use old plastic boards for crafts or as plant trays
- Reserve one for cutting raw meat if you’re concerned about cross-contamination
7. transition away from plastic cooking utensils
Difficulty: Medium-high
When exposed to heat, plastic spatulas, spoons, and whisks can leach chemicals into your food. Wood, bamboo, or stainless steel tools are safer alternatives.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Keep plastic utensils for cold foods only
- Repurpose as garden markers, paint stirrers, or craft tools
- Use for cleaning tasks like scraping jars
8. phase out plastic tupperware
Difficulty: Requires investment
Plastic food storage containers can leach chemicals, especially when used with hot, fatty, or acidic foods.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Repurpose for storing dry goods like rice, beans, or pasta
- Use for organizing craft supplies, office items, or garage screws and nails
- Dedicate some for freezer compost storage
9. replace scratched teflon cookware
Difficulty: Significant investment
When teflon cookware gets scratched, it can release harmful chemicals like PFOAs. Cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic cookware are healthier alternatives that last longer.
What to do with your old pans:
- Seriously scratched Teflon pans should be discarded responsibly
- Lightly scratched pans can be relegated to non-food uses like catching paint drips
- Some municipalities have special recycling for cookware—check locally
RELATED: 11 Non-Toxic Cookware Brands For a Healthy Kitchen
10. overhaul your wardrobe
Difficulty: Long-term project
Most “fast fashion” contains polyester, nylon, and other plastic-based fibers that shed microplastics with every wash and can cause skin irritation.
What to do with your old plastic:
- Keep wearing what you have until it wears out
- For items in good condition, donate or sell
- For worn-out synthetic clothing, look into textile recycling programs
RELATED: 50+ Best Ethical and Sustainable Clothing Brands
finding the balance
I’ve been reducing my plastic exposure for over 10 years, and I still use plastic sometimes. What matters is being mindful about how and where we use it.
The key is prioritizing swaps that make the biggest difference for your health and lifestyle. Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to eliminate every last bit of plastic—that’s neither practical nor necessary.
Instead of reacting out of fear and tossing perfectly usable items into landfills, think about how you can repurpose what you have while gradually transitioning to healthier alternatives.
Remember: sustainable living isn’t about perfection—it’s about making better choices one step at a time.
what’s your next plastic-free swap?
Have you tried any of these plastic-free swaps? Which one seems most doable for you right now? I’d love to hear about your plastic-free journey in the comments below!
What do you think of these plastic-free swaps? Want more sustainable living tips? Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly advice on reducing waste, saving money, and creating a healthier home.
The post 10 Impactful Plastic-Free Swaps (+ What To Do With Your Old Plastic) appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
10 Impactful Plastic-Free Swaps (+ What To Do With Your Old Plastic)
Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/
Green Living
Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action
Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.
The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.
Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:
- Finding a Northwest Passage to the Sea
- Turning the Tide—How Land and Water Shape Our Climate Future
- Learning from Captain Scoresby’s Ten-gallon Fir-Cask
- Earth Savvy?
- Let the Ground Keep Falling Rainwater
- The Sultans of Swag Versus Looking at Clouds from Both Sides Now
- Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
- Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube
Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.
The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/
Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!
Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.
[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]
Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.
Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.
The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.
Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles
Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Size Range: XS – XL
2. Pure Magnolia
Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.
The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics
Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD
Size Range: 0 – 28
3. Lost in Paris
Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.
Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made
Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options
For More Slow Fashion Content:
4. Wear Your Love
Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.
There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made
Price Range: $680 – $1,700
Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements
5. Larimeloom
Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.
Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes
Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€
Size Range: XS – XL
6. Sister Organics
Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.
Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model
Price Range: £125 – £390
Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing
7. Indiebride London
Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.
The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made
Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700
Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)
More Resources For Your Eco Wedding:
10 Secondhand Wedding Dress Sites for the Eco Bride
7 Ethical Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement and Wedding Rings
17 Brands with Conscious Dresses (great options for bridesmaid dresses in here!)
The post 7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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