Plastic pollution is one of the most serious issues facing the world today. Despite increased global awareness of the importance of recycling and associated practices, more than 90% of global plastic waste remains in landfills, poisoning our oceans with microplastics. Switching your plastic habits doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can help you lower your carbon footprint significantly. It’s time to quit plastic in favour of these greener substitutes.

What Can We Use Instead of Plastic?

The answer is items produced from environmentally friendly materials. There are green alternatives for everyday items. Their availability allows you to use products created from environmentally friendly resources, which benefits the environment.

8 Best Greener Substitutes for Plastic in Your Life

Bamboo

Bamboo is used to make a wide variety of eco-friendly items, which is something that will surprise you. You have many options for picking bamboo products, including cutlery, tissues, stationery, serving trays, workout towels, planters, and more! Bamboo groves, unlike forests of trees, can regenerate themselves in three to five years and thrive without the use of pesticides.

Upcycled Tyre

The auto industry has rapidly grown these days, resulting in the mass production of automobile components such as tyres. To your great relief, the majority of rubber products are developed and manufactured with minimal impact on the environment.

When tyres reach the end of their useful life, instead of being discarded as waste, they are recycled into environmentally friendly products. Wallets, rubber planters, laptop bags, handcrafted couches, footwear, and other items made from recycled or repurposed tyres are available both online and in stores.

Stainless Steel/Glass Water Bottles

Instead of purchasing a slew of plastic bottles that you’ll use till the water runs out, invest in a high-quality plastic or glass water bottle that reduces your use of plastic bottles. Prolonged use of plastic bottles is detrimental because certain toxic compounds leach into the drinking water and, as a result, into your body. There are plenty of designer stainless steel and glass bottles on the market to please the most aesthetically-picky people, and they’re durable too.

Cloth diapers

You know it would be next on the list.  Cloth diapers are reusable and healthier for the baby’s skin because they contain less chemicals. Just be aware of the amount of water you use to clean the diapers, as wasting water is just as problematic!

Wood hangers

Wood hangers are highly robust and do not deteriorate over time, unlike plastic hangers. They are great for keeping garments intact and will not break under the weight of heavier sweaters, jackets, coats, and so on. Furthermore, plastic hangers do a poor job of maintaining the shape of your clothes and are prone to sliding. Wood hangers are made of natural materials that are harmless to the environment.

Paper Bags and Packaging

Using paper bags and packaging instead of plastic is an easy and practical technique to reduce plastic consumption. Paper is biodegradable, recyclable, and frequently derived from sustainable sources, making it an environmentally responsible alternative for shopping bags, wrapping materials, and other packaging requirements.

Silicone Food Storage Bags

Silicone food storage bags are a versatile, reusable alternative to single-use plastic bags. These bags are composed of food-grade silicone, making them suitable for keeping a variety of food items. Their durability and reusability make them an environmentally friendly option for decreasing plastic and food waste in the kitchen.

Shampoo bars

The simplest way to eliminate the need for plastic shampoo bottles is to replace them with shampoo bars. Many shampoo bars on the market are free of additives that contribute to deforestation. In addition, unlike a plastic shampoo container, these shampoo bars have minimal packaging and are wrapped in biodegradable paper. So, switch to shampoo bars today to prevent a large amount of plastic from entering the environment!

Conclusion

Finally, widespread acceptance of greener substitutes for plastic will be crucial in reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. By introducing biodegradable materials, reusable alternatives, and new eco-friendly items into our daily lives, we can all help to create a more sustainable and ecologically conscious future.