The Plastic Problem & What We Can Do About It As Consumers
HOW TO REDUCE SINGLE USE PLASTIC
By Jaclyn Tracy
The Plastic Problem
While visiting my hometown over Memorial Day weekend, my mom and I watched Plastic Wars, a Frontline documentary about the history of plastic. Spoiler alert: the oil industry — the makers of plastic — spent tens of millions of dollars convincing Americans that it was okay to use plastic because it could and should all be recycled. That is not at all true and never was. The recycling program, as it exists today, was created to sell more plastic. Even though, according to the joint investigation by NPR and the PBS series Frontline, the “plastics industry had "serious doubt" recycling would ever be viable.”
Today, plastic is being deemed “the New Big Tobacco.” because once again advertising has swayed consumers to believe something that is not true. But we are recycling the plastic so that’s good for the earth right? Wrong. The truth is, in the US only 5% of plastics were recycled in 2022 (1) Globally, less than 20% of plastics were recycled that same year.
Plastic bags, bottles and many other wastes are causing widespread harm to marine and coastal ecosystems and the problem is getting worse. They kill massive numbers of marine animals (including 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually in one widely cited estimate), degrade their environment, and enter the food chain. (4)
Roughly 4.9 billion tons of plastic waste produced since the 1950s hasn't been recycled or burned. And, plastic production is expected to double over the next two decades. (5)
What We Can Do About It
At the end of the Frontline documentary, Plastic Wars, my mom said, “But, wait, what do we do about it?”
So, I’ve collected a short list of things I’ve begun to implement in my own life. Things to reduce my use of plastic. If you’re new to the action of choosing to reduce your own plastic use, no worries. I recommend you pick just ONE of these to start with. And then maybe you choose another a month from now, until you begin to adjust and direct your awareness in a way that changes your behavior and eventually becomes natural. Never forget, choosing to be a conscious consumer is a long journey. So be patient with yourself and focus on progress, not perfection.
DOWNLOAD THE PLASTIC ALTERNATIVE CHECKLIST
GROCERY
1. Buy fresh over frozen
It is no surprise, frozen veggies come in plastic packaging. What I do to reduce plastic here is buy fresh produce. If I need the produce to last longer, I cut them and store them in Stasher bags in the freezer. Full transparency, I am far from perfect here, especially with my less frequent grocery store ventures due to the pandemic. But I’ll never stop trying.
2. Bring fabric bags for fruit and veggies
Many stores are allowing this again. It’s an easy add to your to-go grocery bags. Here is a sustainable fabric bag, don’t be fooled most of the one’s sold in grocery stores are made of polyester (plastic).
3. Bring reusable bags
Like our favorite SISTAIN branded sustainable tote made of recycled materials. This plastic reducing tip has been around the longest and it’s easy to implement.
4. Buy big
One large plastic bottle is better than a few small ones, because it means there's just less plastic overall. Also, it’s more cost-effective.
KITCHEN
1. Use Stasher bags at home
I already referenced this in the grocery section titled buy fresh over frozen, but I’ll say it again, Stasher bags are incredibly versatile, they have become my to-go containers as well as my frozen veggies and fruit packaging. You can throw them in the dishwasher, and the best part? They allow for more space in your fridge and freezer, they’re made of pure platinum silicone (not plastic) and are endlessly reusable.
2. Use Beeswax food wrap
Beeswax food wrap is my favorite way to store cheese. Reusable for up to a year. Once it has stopped sticking, you can cut up your wrap and add to your compost pile, or use it as a natural fire starter.
3. Cut your own fruit
I know sometimes it’s so tempting to buy the cantaloupe in a plastic container, already cut up, looking so fresh. But, here’s the thing. The cantaloupe may take 5 minutes to cut up. The plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Slow down and take the extra few minutes it takes to cut up the fruit. The earth will thank you.
4. Choose sustainable storage containers
We need more than Stasher bags to store leftover food, for larger storage needs — stainless steel or glass storage containers are the way to go. These stylish bamboo storage containers are made of recycled bamboo fiber and beechwood. Glass storage is another good way to go or try these chic, eco-friendly Porter Seal-Tight Bowl that travel well! The screw-top container is made of glass and wrapped in a protective sleeve of silicone.
5. Buy eco-friendly dish brush and sponges
Did you know that most sponges are made of plastic? Next time you need a new dish brush or sponge, choose one made of natural materials, such as bamboo or wood, like this multipurpose cleaning brush or this Casa Agave™ Long Handle Dish Brush.
GARDEN
1. Grow your own herbs
I just started my indoor herb garden and it honestly makes my heart so happy. Growing your own herbs is rewarding and an awesome way to reduce plastic, and save money.
2. Grow your own salad
Lettuce is one of the easiest plants to grow. It also tastes so much better than when you buy it at the store, because what is more fresh then going outside, harvesting some lettuce, washing it, then eating it for dinner? And you do not need a whole garden bed to grow lettuce, you can easily grow it in a pot or planter.
CLEANING & LAUNDRY
If you have access to a refillery—such as the Koko Shop—that is ultimately the best option for cleaning supplies, since you can fill and refill your cleaning supplies while reducing waste. At a refillery you can bring your own glass bottle to refill with soaps, lotion, oils and cleaners.
1. Use vinegar & water
Have you ever thought about how much plastic waste there is in cleaning supplies? Vinegar and water is a good alternative option to cut down on plastic waste.
2. Swap to sustainable made cleaning products
Branch Basics has been recommended to me over and over again from our community. I’m currently testing it so tune it to SISTAIN’s stories for the reviews!
3. Choose a more sustainable laundry detergent
Laundry detergent mostly comes in plastic, however alternatives are popping up left and right! I use this jar of plastic-free powdered laundry detergent. It works for me!
Another option is this new, thoughtfully packaged Seventh Generation detergent. It’s made from used paper, namely 70% recycled cardboard and 30% recycled newspaper, which is molded into a rigid shape you can grab and pour just like a conventional plastic bottle. Inside this shell is a clever plastic pouch that contains the detergent. When the bottle's empty, you take off the cap, pop open the shell, and pull out the pouch. Drop all three in your home recycling bin*. Or you could compost the shell.
LEARN MORE: SUSTAINABLE LAUNDRY GUIDE
4. Swap liquid dish soap for a bar of dish soap
I use our bar of dish soap. And it’s surprisingly effective! Just wet the dish scrubber under water to make the soap a little sudsy.
ON-THE-GO
1. Bring your own water bottle and coffee cup
This one is an old trick, but what you maybe did not know is that Americans ingest an estimated 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles every year. (3) Where do they come from? The highest contributors: Air, bottled water and seafood. One solution to decreasing the amount of microplastics you ingest? Stop drinking out of plastic bottles! You are ingesting plastic when you use them. Bring your own water bottle instead.
Our favorite to-go water bottle? This modern glass and silicone water bottle with an interior glass finish for a higher quality taste (I have two).
And our favorite to-go coffee cup? The Stojo travel cup.
2. Carry cutlery
Most of us right at this moment are ordering takeout more than we are going to restaurants due to the pandemic. If you’re ordering takeout, request no utensils. Once things get back to normal, this on-the-go cutlery is really amazing and easy to throw in your purse.
3. Say no to plastic straws
We, as consumers, have so much power. If we collectively tell restaurants, do not bring me a straw, they do eventually listen. And if you still do not understand this trend toward less straws, just google “Sea Turtle with Straw up its Nostril,” a viral video that will make you never want to use another plastic straw ever. But warning, it’s graphic. Our recommendation, buy these glass straws instead.
BATHROOM
1. Buy a bamboo toothbrush
3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold worldwide each year. Most get lost in the recycling process and end up in landfill or make their way into rivers and oceans. These toothbrushes are made from polypropylene plastic and nylon and can take up to 500 years or more to decompose. (6)
While bamboo toothbrush handles only take around six months to compost.
2. Swap your liquid soap with a bar or refillable soap
Our team tested about 10 different types of shampoo and conditioner bars and we like HiBar shampoo and conditioner, and absolutely loved Davitas shampoo bar.
These bars of soap I use as body and hand wash. But also do love this non-toxic refillable hand soap by Soapply.
3. Use a plastic-free chrome or stainless steel razor
I currently use the Twig Razor for my bikini line and Leaf Razor for my legs and underarms, which is a sustainable razor that does not ask you to re-learn how to shave. I very quickly shave my legs so for those of you who do the same I recommend the Leaf Razor - but take it slow while transitioning the blades are sharp when new.
SHOP SISTAIN SUSTAINABLE SWAPS
What did we miss? Email us at hello@thesistain.com with questions or categories you would like us to cover!
(1) CBS (2022). Plastic recycling a "failed concept," study says, with only 5% recycled in U.S. last year as production rises
(2) CNN (2019). A single tea bag can leak billions of pieces of microplastic into your brew.
(4) Axios (2018). The global plastic problem is even bigger than you think.
(5) Axios (2018). Scientists grapple with the world's plastic problem.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jaclyn Tracy's goal with SISTAIN is to make a greater difference by educating, activating and making sustainable consumerism not only easier, but aspirational. She believes success is in the collective impact, getting a whole group of people to change their behavior by committing to choosing sustainable brands, less waste and imperfect progress.
