Okay, so I’ve been trying to cut down on plastic, you know, for the planet and all that. It’s harder than it looks, but I’ve picked up a few things that seem to be working.
My Plastic-Free(ish) Journey
First, I started small. No way was I going to overhaul my entire life overnight. I picked one area to focus on: grocery shopping.
- I got myself some reusable shopping bags. Not just the flimsy ones, but some sturdy canvas ones that can actually hold a decent amount of groceries. I keep them in my car so I don’t forget them.
- Then, I started paying attention to produce. Instead of grabbing those plastic produce bags, I just put my fruits and veggies loose in the cart. If I really need a bag, I have some reusable mesh ones I bring along.
- I also started looking at packaging. I try to choose items in glass jars or cardboard boxes instead of plastic containers whenever possible. It’s not always doable, but every little bit helps, right?
Next, I tackled my bathroom. This was a bit tougher.
- I switched to bar soap instead of body wash in a plastic bottle. I found some really nice ones that smell amazing, so it wasn’t a sacrifice at all.
- Shampoo and conditioner bars were a bigger adjustment. My hair felt a little weird at first, but I found a brand that works for me, and now I’m used to it.
- I even found a bamboo toothbrush! It’s a small thing, but it feels good to know I’m not throwing away a plastic toothbrush every few months.
I’m still working on reducing plastic in other areas of my life. Like, I’m trying to remember to bring my reusable coffee cup when I get takeout coffee, and I’m looking into alternatives to plastic wrap for food storage. It’s a process, definitely.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that it’s not about being perfect. It’s about making conscious choices and doing what you can. Every time I choose to skip the plastic bag or bring my own container, I feel like I’m making a tiny difference. And those tiny differences add up.
