How to Transition to a Plastic-Free Household

Think about all the plastic items you use every day. What about the items you throw away? Can you count them all? Being aware of how and why you use plastics is the first step to reducing plastic use.

Commit to changing your habits by reducing your use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reusing plastics, or recycling them. In the spirit of loving the planet and trying to decrease our carbon footprint, Horderly has some simple tips to easily replace the plastic items we use every day for more eco-friendly alternatives!

Water Bottles

Switching to an eco-friendly bottle is a very easy fix! Next time you plan a long car ride or head to the gym, consider a reusable canteen! Today they are easier than ever to find, and they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors! Even better, many models keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.

In many cases, a reusable water bottle also adds convenience, as most airports or tourist attractions have purified water stations. So, fill it up and go, you’ll save money and the planet by making this one simple switch!

Plastic Bags

Depending on what city or state you live in, the plastic shopping bag is no more. Now that plastic bags are pretty much extinct, it’s likely that you have a closet or trunk full of reusable totes for every occasion.

The hardest part is remembering to bring them to the store! Try setting a location reminder on your iPhone for when you arrive at the store’s parking lot, and you’ll never forget to bring those bags in with you again.

If you’re an overachiever and want bonus earth-saver points, consider buying a reusable washable mesh bag for your produce, instead of resorting to those flimsy plastic bags the grocery store provides.

Food Storage

Many people have a drawer or cabinet filled with plastic containers in their house, and this may include plastic baggies, plastic Tupperware, plastic wrap, etc. Switching to durable glass food storage with perfectly sealed lids (and zero food stains or leftover odors) will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but it may also make storing food a more enjoyable activity.

You won’t have to worry about the BPA contamination risk that comes from heating up plastics. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly replacement for your Ziploc bags, silicone washable baggies are durable and will save you money in the long run because you will buy less of them.

Cleaning Supplies

The chemicals in our favorite cleaning solutions are sold in plastic bottles because it’s often the cheapest way to deliver them to the consumer. But if you’re looking to make a switch, glass-bottled cleaning products are available and affordable. You may also want to consider going the DIY route by buying your own glass spray bottle and mixing your own cleaning tonic with items you already have in your home.

Dental Care

The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months, and when cold and flu season is upon us that could be even more often. An easy and cost-effective replacement for plastic toothbrushes is bamboo toothbrushes, which look and feel like a plastic toothbrush. Some models of bamboo toothbrushes have charcoal bristles that can help keep your teeth fresh and white, for a fraction of the cost of plastic toothbrushes!

For more information on all things Horderly – including lots of great tips, tricks and other #HorderlyHabits – check out our blog or reach out for more information!

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