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But, let’s also admit:  plastic is convenient. It’s everywhere because it’s cheap to make and easy to consume. In fact, approximately 500 billion single-use shopping bags are used each year (Americans account for 1/5 of all single-use bags). That’s about 150 bags per person, so no wonder we feel like single-use plastics are all around us…they are!

Single-use plastics are, as the name implies, plastics that can’t be used repeatedly, including the thin plastic surrounding toys, bread, takeout containers, and so on. Other single-use plastics include: water bottles that we immediately throw away after we are finished, the plastic bags our clothing comes shipped in, lotion bottles, hummus containers, and other thin and thick plastic materials that we use once and throw away (or ideally recycle!).

Single-use plastics have had a huge environmental impact on the earth. By ridding ourselves of single-use plastics, we create a space to begin rebuilding the environment over which plastic has wreaked havoc. One habitat, in particular, is the ocean. Currently, the ocean has approximately 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic and debris floating in it. This harms all of the creatures that call the ocean home. Plastic has also polluted other rivers and waterways that we use for water, energy, and agriculture. We’re harming our standard of life by continuing this use.

However, you can begin to make the change towards a future that doesn’t revolve around a single use. With these alternatives and various ways to use your already existing single-use plastics, we can begin to rebuild the ecosystems affected by this damaging material. 

6 Alternatives To Plastic

There are so many alternatives to single-use plastic that you can try to incorporate into your daily life. They still offer that feeling of convenience but,  because of their reusability, will end up saving Earth literal tons of plastic waste.

Reusable Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are a thing of the past! With a reusable water bottle, many benefits are offered to you; most importantly, you will save money. While a reusable water bottle may cost you around $20–50 up front, it will quickly pay for itself–no more spending $2 every time you feel thirsty away from the house! Plus, they’re attractive, often contain filters, and many are insulated to keep your water cold.

Image: Amazon

Stainless Steel Water Filter Bottle

Brita

Brands, such as Brita, make water bottles with a built-in filter to purify any water that you pour in. At only $25, this option is great if you aren’t sure about the water filtration at any ol’ sink or fountain. This bottle lets you fill up and drink from just about anywhere.

Image: Amazon

Double Wall Glass Tumbler

Tupkee

If you want a water bottle that also doubles as a coffee mug and tumbler, this travel mug is made of handblown glass with a silicone sleeve to protect your hand, whether you drink hot or cold beverages. With high temperature resistant glass, you can place it in the microwave or dishwasher with ease when you’re done for the day.

Image: Amazon

32oz Wide Mouth Bottle

Hydroflask

Water bottles, like the Hydroflask, are both colorful and cute. While they may run you anywhere between $25 to $50, their tough exterior makes them a life-long companion if you stay consistent with washing.

Image: Amazon

Adventure Quencher Tumbler

Stanley

You’ve probably seen this viral 40-ounce tumbler advertised all over social media. It has a sipping lid, room for a straw, a handle for convenient carrying, and it fits in your car’s cup holder. 

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Voyager 40 oz Tumbler

Hydrapeak

Affordable alternative alert! Can’t bring yourself to spend big money on a Stanley tumbler? This reusable stainless steel water bottle has the same familiar design that promises to keep drinks cold for up to 30 hours and hot for 12! Yes, please!

Image: Amazon

Triple Insulated Tumbler With Straw

JoyJolt

Want a tumbler that promises to keep beverages hot or cold? We love the slim design that fits easily into your car’s cup holder. Plus, the screw top lid ensures that it is completely spill proof!

Metal/Reusable Straws

When people began to discuss the detrimental effects of plastic use, the harmful nature of plastic straws was brought into question. We have all seen the video of a straw lodged in the nostril of a turtle, but plastic straws can become choking hazards for many other ocean life creatures, too. Replacing these single-use straws with metal, glass, paper, or silicone options can be great alternatives that work just as well as their plastic counterparts.

Amazon is a great place to buy reusable straws; a variety of designs exist, so you’re sure to find one that matches what you like.

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Stainless Steel Drinking Straws

VEHHE

Metal straws have become increasingly popular because of their longevity and durability. They’re also fairly inexpensive, with a pack running you less than $10.

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Stainless Steel Drinking Straws with Silicone Tips

Senneny

If the metal of a stainless steel straw feels uncomfortable sitting between your teeth, silicone-tipped straws may be the best option. They’re also similar in price to the fully metal option.

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Collapsible Stainless Steel Drinking Straw

Doboli

You can even buy collapsible straws to throw into your purse when on the go! Just remember to tell your waiter that you don’t need a straw: once restaurants set a plastic straw down on your table–even if you don’t use it–it must be thrown away. So, remember to refuse as a first defense against plastic waste.

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HotSips Reusable Drinking Straws

Brilli Baby

Want a flexible, bendable, package way to drink sustainably on the go? These lightweight drinking straws mold to fit into any size can or tumble, and are made from durable materials that are both dishwasher and microwave-safe, as well as insulated to protect your lips from hot beverages!

Silicone Zip Bags

We’ll often grab a single-use zip bag to store food and other items in. However, these can easily be replaced with silicone bags. The problem with traditional zip bags is that they’re fragile; tears and holes can easily cause food or contents to slip through the thin lining and faulty edges. 

Silicone bags, on the other hand, are made of a much thicker material, although still flexible and able to hold your food, just as well as a normal zip bag. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs (possibly in even more sizes than traditional zip bags).

Image: Amazon

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Zip Top

A great brand for silicone bags is ZipTop. Their zip bags come in a variety of sizes, with stand-up options that make filling quick and easy. While these bags may be on the pricier side, you can purchase a bundle of reusable zip bags for under $100.

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Silicone Meal Prep Storage Container

Stasher

Stasher bags are also a great option. They’re flexible, colorful, and durable. They’re perfect for kitchen uses, like containing leftovers or snacks, and can also be useful while traveling.

Reusable Produce Bags

You know those thin plastic bags that you put your apples and oranges in at the grocery store? There’s a better alternative to that. We’ve switched over to reusable shopping bags, but why not reusable produce bags, too?

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Mesh Produce Bags

Ecowaare

These are a great way to significantly cut down on your plastic usage, while still making sure that you keep your produce safe from germs. 

You can get a set of 15 or more produce bags for under $20. These will last you for years and are worth the upfront cost to help the planet thrive overall. (Don’t forget to wash them regularly, too.)

Reusable Shopping Bags

You can find reusable cloth and various other materials of shopping bags everywhere it seems. If you’re offered a free reusable shopping bag, then use it! This is a great start to lowering your single-use plastic intake. In some states and cities, a bag charge has been implemented for every single-use plastic bag you use. With reusable bags only costing a few dollars, they will pay themselves off in a matter of a few trips. 

A great option for reusable shopping bags is from Baggu. This brand has reusable shopping bags that can collapse down to a small, wallet-size container. This way, you can always have a bag with you on the go in case you need it. There’s nothing worse than showing up to the grocery store and not realizing you didn’t bring your reusable bags until you’re in the checkout line. Plus, Baggu bags come in a wide variety of colors and designs that are super cute. 

Our Picks:

Image: Etsy

Fresh & Local Tote

Glad Folk

Image: Baggu

Reusable Shopping Bag

Baggu

Plastic Free Beauty Products

Many beauty products come in single-use plastic containers. Open your medicine cabinet or pull back your shower cabinet and take inventory. How many plastic bottles are there? Many of these plastics are accepted for curbside recycling, but other plastic shapes–like mascara tubes, contact blister packs, makeup brushes, and medicine bottles–typically are not. Instead, try these reusable replacements.

Image: Izzy

Zero Waste Mascara

Izzy

Izzy’s mascara is zero waste. Offered on a 90-day subscription, you’ll receive a shipping mailer with your product so that you can mail your used mascara tube back in for recycling once your new one arrives. 

Image: Package Free Shop

Natural Toothpaste

David’s Natural Toothpaste

Toothpaste, and most oral care items, come in plastic that isn’t easily recyclable. Instead, try out a tube of toothpaste in an aluminum tube. It also comes with a metal “key” to make sure you get every drop.

Image: Amazon

Natural Aluminum Free Deodorant

HiBar

Deodorant can be a hard item to replace once you’re looking for plastic-free alternatives. Many zero-waste deodorants are a cream that is applied with a wooden spoon-like utensil. However, HiBar makes a plastic-free deodorant that works just like you’re used to with a push-up stick in three scents: Lavender, Bergamot & Cedar, and Fresh Rain + Cucumber. 

10 Ways To Reuse Plastic

If you already have a surplus of plastic bags shoved into the corner of your pantry, a ton of spare zip bags, and other items made of single-use plastic, don’t just throw them out in favor of the items mentioned above. Instead, use the items you have a second time before throwing them out for a reusable alternative. Reuse pre-existing single-use plastic for:

• Doggy bags

• Trash can liners

• As packaging for arts and crafts

• Storage for sugar, coffee grounds, and spices

• Turn your water bottle into a pot for a plant

• Cut a hole at the end of a zip bag and use it to pipe frosting

• Use large plastic containers as a watering can by poking a few holes in the top

• As refill containers for bulk shopping

• As a starter pot for garden seeds

• As padding when you mail fragile items

Get creative! You can turn these sturdy—and not-so-sturdy—plastics into great crafts for kids, aids to your gardening practice, and anything else you can think of. 

How To Make A Bigger Impact

Any of the changes listed above are small swaps we can make in our day-to-day life that will help the ecosystems around us. However, if you want to make a larger impact, you have to work on more than just reducing or replacing plastics in your own home.

This can start with recycling and continue to grow towards much bigger changes. You can volunteer at park cleanups near you. Many organizations will host volunteer opportunities to clean up trash that’s near rivers, lakes, and other waterways. Find out what bodies of water are near you and when and where organizations are hosting volunteer clean up opportunities. Start with what is affecting your community environmentally and work towards volunteering for that cause.  

Another way to bring single-use plastics to an end is to make your vote count. Get out and vote, not only in the big elections every four years, but also in the smaller local elections. Change starts at the lower levels before it rises to a national or state level. If you don’t know the closest polling place to you, use this site to help you find the best option best suited for you. Start at home with the small changes and slowly expand to larger endeavors. We are the change that ecosystems around the world need to see to survive.