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Last Updated on June 3, 2024
Happy Plastic Free July! Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our oceans. Plastic has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtle species. Humans also consume plastic unwittingly: Every week, we unknowingly eat a credit card’s worth of plastic, and for the first time ever, plastic is also showing up in human placentas.
It’s clear that the need to use less plastic has never been greater. Finding a replacement for plastic items we use every day is surprisingly easy. These substitutes for plastic are a fantastic way to reduce the harmful effects plastic has on the environment and our health.
This post was sponsored. Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information please see my disclosure policy.
why we need to use less plastic
Plastic is everywhere, and that’s why Plastic Free July was founded. It’s a movement that encourages people to deep dive into their single-use plastic and find ways to reduce plastic waste.
I think this Plastic Free July is a great reset after 2020, but many of us still have limited options when it comes to buying everything ‘plastic-free.’ From closed bulk bins to bringing our own cups to the coffee shop — there are a lot of limited options. So, I hope this Plastic Free July we can look at an even bigger picture.
Where is plastic made? Who’s bearing the brunt of that pollution? What can we do to reduce plastic on a larger scale rather than just individually? These recommended swaps are ways to reduce plastic waste in your everyday life and make a larger impact every day you stick with it.
I hope a lot of people will look at the Break Free From Plastic Act that’s currently on Capitol Hill. Wouldn’t that be amazing to see that pass this month?
what is plastic free july?
Plastic Free July is a global movement that started in 2011 to teach millions of people ways to reduce plastic waste for one month — and beyond. It’s a challenge you pledge to complete, and you get to choose where you’re doing it (at home, a workplace, etc), what level you’re at (beginner or advanced), and how long you’ll do it (ranging from 1 day to from now on).
Once you make the pledge, Plastic Free July has helpful resources you can check out to get started on your journey to permanent replacements for plastic.
You can also take my zero waste challenge: Over the course of a month, you’ll receive one challenge each day where I’ll present the problem, give the solution, and have action steps for you to implement.
why is plastic bad?
Actually, plastic in itself isn’t bad. What’s bad is when we use it in a single-use fashion. Plastic was made to last forever, so we should treat it that way.
Since its initial production, over 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been created. Of that, only 9% has actually been recycled. The other 91% has been landfilled, incinerated, or entered our environment in some way or another.
Certain plastics can also release chemicals like dioxins and phthalates over time. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause cancer, and phthalates are most known for interfering with the hormone system, especially the male reproductive system.
Over time, it can leech these chemicals into our water or food if it’s being used to contain these items. No wonder we need to use less plastic, right?!
For this reason, it’s best to avoid single-use plastic whenever possible. However, tossing out all your old plastic items (like Tupperware, a plastic broom, a plastic hairbrush, etc.) is counterproductive. Use it until it’s no longer usable and can’t be fixed, then replace it with a plastic-free alternative that will last you.
If storing your food in Tupperware bothers you, you can always repurpose it for other things like holding jewelry, playing cards, paperwork, etc.
how can I find substitutes for plastic in july?
If you want to participate in Plastic Free July, I recommend first doing a trash audit to see where your trash is coming from. This will help you see what eco-conscious swaps you need to make.
Here are some simple things to tackle first:
You don’t have to do everything overnight, and you also don’t have to break the bank. Just do what you can — little acts add up. Here’s how to go zero waste on a budget of $50 or less. My 15 suggested substitutes for plastic items are usable in most households and are so convenient that you won’t even miss those single-use conveniences.
15 eco friendly replacements for plastic items:
If you’re looking for a few ways to reduce your use of single-use plastics, I’ve rounded up a few eco-friendly brands that are focused on sustainability, plastic reduction, bolstering plastic reduction and reclamation, as well as limiting any excessive packaging!
As a bonus, I also have a few discount codes you might be interested in. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list, so be sure to check out their websites for more information.
replacements for plastic in the bathroom:
1. superzero
- Shampoo + conditioner bars
- Customized by hair type
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Plastic-free
- Discount: GOZEROWASTE15 (valid through end of august)
/ SHOP SUPERZERO /
2. brush with bamboo
- Bamboo toothbrush
- 100% Sustainably Harvested FSC Certified Bamboo
- USDA Certified 100% Biobased Bristles
- Compostable Packaging
- Discount: goingzerowaste
3. oui the people
- Sustainable shaving and skincare brand
- Stainless steel safety razors
- Refillable and recyclable razor blades
- Razors made for sensitive skin
- Black-owned brand
4. zilch apothecary
- Handcrafted skincare brand selling soap, body butter, lip balm + shampoo
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Plastic-free
- Small woman-owned business
reducing plastic in the kitchen:
5. earthhero unpaper towels
- Organic unpaper towels
- Handmade in the USA
- Sold on a sustainable marketplace, EarthHero
- B corp, carbon neutral and plastic free shipping
- Discount: GOZERO
6. ecoroots cleaning kit
- Zero waste dish cleaning kit
- Vegan solid dish soap, bamboo soap dish, wooden cleaning brush
- Organic and vegan ingredients
- Biodegradable + sustainable materials
- Kathryn10 for 10% off your entire order
7. beeswrap
- Reusable beeswax wraps that replace plastic wrap
- Vegan options available
- Cruelty-free
- Compostable and biodegradable
/ SHOP BEESWRAP /
8. airly foods
- Oat-based crackers that fight climate change
- Regenerative farming practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere
- Invests in carbon credit projects
- Low waste packaging
/ SHOP AIRLY FOODS /
reduce plastic on the go:
9. one movement
- Reusable water bottles made from recycled materials
- Each purchase removes 2000 plastic bottles from waterways
- Recycles the plastic bottles into eco bricks
- Eco bricks build recycled homes for homeless waste pickers
10. day owl
- Sustainable backpack
- Each bag made from 25 recycled plastic water bottles
- Certified B corp
- Offer repairs and trade-ins for a closed loop system
- Discount: GZW10
/ SHOP DAY OWL /
11. purse for the people
- Design your own eco-friendly artisan handbag
- Sustainable + recycled materials
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Handcrafted by Indigenous artisans
around the home:
12. luna and rose
- Sustainable jewelry and apparel line
- New plant dyed linen collection
- Closed loop system
- Recycled sterling silver jewelry
- Discount: KATHRYN10
13. tru earth
- Laundry strips
- Certified hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- HE safe
- Biodegradable
- Plastic-free
/ SHOP TRU EARTH /
14. la joya diamond jewelry
- Lab-grown diamond jewelry
- Ethically sourced
- Conflict-free
- Discount: 10OFFGZWKG
15. ethically
- Chrome extension that helps you shop more sustainably
- Rates and scores as you browse the web
- Scores based on environmental concerns, diversity, labor rights, and supply chain
- Easy, free installation
/ SHOP ETHICALLY /
faqs about finding substitutes for plastic
can plastic ever be sustainable?
In my opinion, yes! Sturdy, reusable, plastic items that you will use over and over again are much more sustainable than single-use items, even if they’re made out of plastic.
Plastic is unfortunately unavoidable. In my opinion, using your existing plastic items up until they simply can’t go any longer is much more environmentally friendly than throwing everything away just to buy ‘sustainable’ items. Reduce waste, not just plastic!
does plastic free july actually make a difference?
According to their website, 10 billion kilograms of household waste has been avoided by participating in Plastic Free July over the last 5 years.
Imagine the difference we could make if everyone participated every year? Change is possible!
are stainless steel and glass really healthier than plastic?
Yep! Aside from not leeching harmful chemicals into your food and drinks, they also harbor less bacteria than plastic containers do, leading to better short term health and better long term health.
Are you participating in Plastic Free July this year? Let me know in the comments!
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