Are you Accidentally Accessorizing with Single Use Plastic?
Have you ever realized that plastic has become an accessory to our everyday life? Whether it is the plastic lining inside of paper Starbucks rendering it unrecyclable or the plastic bottle you snag on the way to catching your flight, or your “vegan leather” bag. Without thinking about it, it is easy to find yourself literally dripping in plastic. And I’m sorry to be the bearer of this tough love but, it’s ugly!
So here are some anti-plastic options for more stylish accessories to meet your convenience needs:
Plastic water Bottles/ plastic water cups - this seems so obvious to me that I almost didn’t even include it but, seriously, carrying your own reusable water bottle will help eliminate the 2.5 million plastic bottles that are thrown away every HOUR in the U.S. – resulting in about 42,000 plastic bottles per minute, or about 695 per second, most of which will end up in the ocean.
Not only that, but carrying your own bottle will ensure you stay hydrated contributing to your healthy glowing skin, liver & kidney function and overall well being!
But in order to really make an impact, you have to commit to carrying a bottle every-time you leave the house- no matter where you are going. Here are our thoughts on how to make this easier:
Style is key- Invest in a water bottle or two that you actually enjoy carrying, (read: yes - a cute reusable water bottle is the new accessory). If you are trying to reuse the ugly water bottle some corporation gave you that just reminds you of the company or something else negative, you aren’t going to want to grab it on your way out. So make sure it is something that suits your style.
Feel is critical- We also recommend going with a material type that feels good, yes literally feels good in your hand and on your lips. I love these adorable bkr bottles. First of all they are glass, if you can’t tell I despise plastic not just for the horrendous environmental impact but I generally have never liked the feel of it not to mention the health hazards of eating or drinking out of plastic containers. So I opt for glass but there are many reusable bottles in plenty of other materials to suit your fancy.
Size matters- I have two bottles, one in a medium and one in tiny size depending on where I am going/ what I am doing that day. If I am going out in the city and don’t want a big bottle but I know I will want to sip on water throughout the day, I use the tiny guy. When you think back on your days you will realize that sometimes at stores, spas or other businesses they often have a self serve water station with plastic cups but if you brought your own bottle you can enjoy as much of that fruit infused water as you please, plastic free. If I am traveling and know that I can’t easily fill up my bottle I carry the bigger one so I stay hydrated.
Starbucks cups & lids- yes you read that right! The plastic coating inside the paper Starbucks cup renders it unrecyclable without a proper process that most companies haven’t invested in. But even if you could find somewhere that would actually recycle these, doesn’t your daily coffee habit deserve something better than single-use?
BYOM- bring your own mug- check out these adorable and travel friendly 8oz mugs that easily fit into any bag before and after use. Yes they have bigger ones too but I like the 8 oz so it will easily fit into my bag before and after. Plus when I fill it up more than once I feel unrealistically better about my coffee intake.
Make coffee at home and enjoy there or bring in a reusable mug- this is not only wallet friendly but saves you time in line at the coffee shop.
Order your coffee “for here” and sit down while you enjoy your beverage—> take the time to read, have a conversation, daydream, even check your email if you so please.
Fast Casual dining plastic silverware/ straws
This one is hard to remember but a set of reusable chopsticks and/or travel silverware take up virtually no space in your tote so do yourself a favor and wrap a set or two in a hanky for your on-the-go meal with co-workers. The hanky works to keep them germ free pre-meal and then to wrap up the used silverware until you can get home to wash them. You can use the same hanky for your reusable straws. Or invest in an all in one kit, like this from United by Blue.
While out at a fast casual restaurant, can you ask for real silverware instead of plastic?
If they have a comment box, suggest that they switch to real silverware across the board- Im looking at you chipotle and shockingly most WholeFoods!
Packing your lunch with Snack baggies —> Alternatives include:
Mason jars
Beeswax paper
Reusable silicon bags
Reusable sandwich/ snack bags
Cloth bags of various sizes
Airtight Stainless Steel Containers such as these from Package Free Shop
To go food containers or single use packaging from a store or restaurant
If at a restaurant and you end up with half a burrito, you can absolutely use your own to-go container to take it home in, see the list from #4.
At grocery stores you can buy all bulk food in your own containers- just be sure to weigh them first so you can deduct that from the end price. Yes, you can even use your own mason jars at Wholefoods for the hot bar!!
Prepared Food such as condiments- can you buy the ingredients plastic free (i.e. olive oil in a glass jar) and then make the same food at home to avoid plastic? Yes, this one involves more of your time and sometimes that just isn’t available, but worth a shot.
Fruits- if you are buying a pre-peeled orange in a plastic container or a sliced apple in plastic that stops now! But also can you opt to grab a few loose grapefruit or loose potatoes as opposed to a whole bag wrapped up in the nasty plastic mesh that our sea animals are choking on?
Consider: What else are you buying in plastic just because you always have? Is there an alternative?
Airplane Beverages
Water is critical for a healthy flight so you just have to get in the habit of bringing your favorite travel water bottle to avoid plastic water bottles/cups- see #1 above
If you really need that glass of wine- opt to skip the plastic cup they serve the tiny bottle with and pinky’s up.
Thinking of your own lifestyle/ habits, where do you accidentally use the most single use plastic? Could you commit to shifting just one habit to help avoid ugly plastic waste?
Our Favorite To-Go Containers + Where to buy online:
BKR Water Bottles in Size Teeny (250ml) + Little (500ml)
Miir Tumbler in 8 oz for classy refills and ease of carrying (they even have a 6 oz, so cute)
Utensil Kit from United by Blue
Airtight Stainless Containers from Package Free Shop ( a great resource for many single-use replacements) or the classic mason jar
Grace has never been into the status quo, and loves to think outside of the bag. She has a passion for ethical and earth friendly apparel and accessories. And is inspired by minimal living and the organization necessary for living joyfully with less.
