{"id":6834,"date":"2019-11-07T17:15:14","date_gmt":"2019-11-07T17:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=6834"},"modified":"2019-11-15T15:36:31","modified_gmt":"2019-11-15T15:36:31","slug":"10-alternatives-to-household-plastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/10-alternatives-to-household-plastics\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Alternatives to Household Plastics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swap these items to help reduce plastic pollution<\/h2>\n

Look at the five items closest to you \u2013 how many of them contain plastic<\/a>? For many of us, the answer is \u201call of them.\u201d And for all of us\u2014and for our planet\u2014that could be a big problem.<\/p>\n

The first entirely synthetic plastic was developed by Leo Baekeland in 1907. By the end of the Second World War, plastic had become a staple component in a wide range of consumer products \u2013 everything from buckets and bottles to toys, plumbing, siding, cutlery and\u2026well, you name it. Today plastic permeates just about every aspect of our lives, and in the process it has become a serious threat to our oceans and our wildlife.<\/p>\n

\"microplastic\"<\/p>\n

About 8 million tons of plastic waste makes its way into our oceans every year. Large plastics can break down into small pieces called microplastics<\/a>, which are less than five millimetres in length (about the size of a sesame seed!). Scientists have found microplastics not only in our oceans but also in some of Canada\u2019s remote lakes, rivers and streams. It\u2019s been reported that close to 700 species worldwide are impacted by plastic pollution. Seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals and fish can become painfully and often fatally entangled in plastic waste, or they can mistake plastic for food and starve.<\/p>\n

To address plastic pollution and help conserve our oceans, freshwater and wildlife, we need to make changes on a global scale. It\u2019s a big job, but each of us can help by reducing plastic waste in our homes, where even small efforts can make a difference. To get started, here are ten alternatives to some of the most common plastic household items. When considering them, keep in mind that many eco-friendly alternatives to plastic aren\u2019t perfect and may contain components that aren\u2019t biodegradable. So before purchasing an eco-friendly product, do your research to make sure it\u2019s a suitable, biodegradable alternative to plastic. Remember to choose recycled or sustainably sourced wood, and be mindful of chemicals and dyes that can be used in some alternatives. And note that not all bamboo is created equal! Make sure any bamboo products you purchase are sustainably harvested.<\/p>\n

Bamboo toothbrushes<\/h3>\n

\"bamboo<\/strong>Billions of plastic toothbrushes are discarded every year, and it can take centuries <\/em>for them to decompose. So, why not use a toothbrush made of 100 per cent biodegradable bamboo? Just remember that the bristles are typically nylon, so remove them before composting a brush.<\/p>\n

Wooden cutlery<\/h3>\n

\"wooden<\/p>\n

If you must use disposable cutlery for an event, choose a compostable wooden variety. Similarly, opt for leaf or bamboo cups and plates instead of plastic ones.<\/p>\n

Wooden clothes hangers<\/h3>\n

\"wood<\/p>\n

Another wood product to invest in? Hangers! Wooden and bamboo hangers can be durable and eco-friendly.<\/p>\n

Soap, shampoo and conditioner bars<\/h3>\n

\"soap<\/p>\n

Everyone is familiar with a bar of soap \u2013 but how about a bar of shampoo or conditioner? Add water and these bars lather just as easily as soap. Retailers are increasingly offering highly rated shampoo and conditioner bars for a variety of hair types. Opting for bars with eco-friendly packaging instead of plastic bottles helps to significantly reduce household plastic waste. Another alternative is to look for stores with refill stations where you can bring in empty bottles and refill them with new product.<\/p>\n

Stainless steel scissors<\/h3>\n

\"metal<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Need a new pair of scissors? Look for scissors with steel finger holes and a steel shank \u2013 a great alternative to plastic.<\/p>\n

Eco-friendly ice cube trays<\/h3>\n
\"\"
\u00a9 KitchenFanatic.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Silicone or stainless steel ice cube trays are a sustainable alternative to plastic ones, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n

Reusable food wraps<\/h3>\n
\u00a9 MommyPotamus.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Often made of beeswax, most reusable food wraps can be washed over 100 times. And when it\u2019s time to bring those leftovers to work or school, opt for reusable containers or cloth sandwich bags over plastic wrap.<\/p>\n

Glass and metal straws<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"metal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glass and metal straws<\/a> are a great addition to your cutlery drawer, but also to your bag or backpack for your next smoothie or iced coffee. Look for ones that come with a small brush for convenient cleaning.<\/p>\n

Reusable shopping bags<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an obvious but important one. Many people intend to use reusable shopping bags<\/a> but forget them at home or in the car. A good solution? Look for reusable bags that fold into themselves and can easily be carried around in your bag or hung from your keychain.<\/p>\n

Eco-friendly shower curtains<\/h3>\n

<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most shower curtains are just large sheets of plastic. As an alternative, look for organic cotton, hemp or bamboo curtains.<\/p>\n

These ten ideas should get you started, but they\u2019re just the beginning. Which plastic products have you replaced with eco-friendly alternatives? Let us know in the comments!<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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