Over the last few years, I’ve become really worried about all the environmental and health issues tied to our heavy reliance on plastic in the developed world. There’s been lots of talk and research about BPA (Bisphenol-A), and some people are trying to avoid it, but a lot of products still have BPA or other similar chemicals that might not be any better.
Plastic is so ingrained in our lives that getting rid of it completely seems tough, but there’s good reason to try:
Most plastics have harmful chemicals, but plastic bags are particularly problematic. Every year, we use and throw away over a trillion plastic bags, which take a thousand years to decompose, releasing chemicals all along the way. Plus, they’re the second most common waste found in oceans, after cigarette butts, harming thousands of marine animals yearly, with an estimated 40,000 pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean water.
Feeling concerned? I hope so.
I’m really passionate about this issue, and it’s something we can all make a small difference in by switching to some simple, eco-friendly alternatives at home. Even though these options might cost more upfront compared to a $0.10 Ziploc bag, they can save money over time and help keep harmful chemicals from affecting your family’s health and hormones.
The long-term impact on the environment is really pressing too, with how rapidly we’re adding plastic waste to landfills and oceans.
For your family and the planet’s sake, think about using alternatives to plastic bags at home. It’s easier than you might think!
For many people, the biggest source of plastic exposure comes from plastic bags, like Ziploc bags used for storage or packing lunches. Thankfully, this is one of the easiest areas to change:
For lunches, there are some great alternatives to plastic bags:
Our kids also have stainless steel water bottles they use on field trips, camping trips, or when traveling.
Finding good options for food storage can be a bit trickier. Plastic gallon bags are great because they’re compact and freezer-safe, perfect for freezing food. This has been the hardest item to find alternatives for, so I use a mix of containers for the fridge and freezer. These containers stack easily in the fridge and most are oven-safe for reheating food when I prepare and batch-cook meals once a week.
Grocery bags also account for a lot of plastic use. Many people know about reusable grocery bags, but most of us aren’t using them consistently. There’s really no excuse: they perform better than plastic bags, are easier to carry, and last longer. Plus, you can often get them cheaply or even for free in many places.
These larger grab bags can replace up to ten regular grocery bags per use, holding up to 40 pounds, and they even come in insulated versions. A set of smaller reusable bags can replace a whole trip’s worth of grocery bags, making unloading easier. There are even heavy-duty organic cotton reusable bags available now!
Feeling handy? You can make no-sew bags from old shirts in roughly ten minutes.
Replacing produce bags is also pretty easy. You can find mesh bags with drawstrings that work perfectly for produce, or craft your own using lightweight fabric.
This post has other ideas for cutting down on plastic at home, too. Many products mentioned link to Radiant Life, offering further information and a list of some favorite items.
Though plastic bags are convenient and switching to alternatives can be tough, it’s important to try. I’m not perfect and still find myself using them sometimes, but as I learn more, I know change matters, so my family is working hard to cut down on plastic use whenever we can. If we all get behind this, demand for low-waste products will increase and companies will have to take note!
Have you found any other swaps for plastic bags your family loves? Share below!
