A Bluedot Guide to Plastic-Free Living

We know how much harm plastic has on our health and the health of the planet: It doesn’t break down, polluting our oceans, soil, and bodies indefinitely. At the same time, it seems to have  invaded every aspect of our lives, so much so that the idea of breaking free from our plastic-wrapped world can feel impossible.

Here’s the good news: It may be hard, but it is doable. We’ve discovered ways to build a plastic-free home, avoid plastics in the real world, and advocate for systemic change. Here are Bluedot’s tips for keeping your exposure to plastic to a minimum.

In the Home

Plastic has taken over our lives with incredible speed. (Here’s a timeline from our eco-advice columnist, Dot). While it is a major challenge to eliminate it entirely, every step counts. As with most things, the easiest place to start making a real impact is in your home. 

The Kitchen

There are so many ways plastic can invade our kitchens — from food packaging to cookware to food storage — so let’s start there.

While grocery shopping, avoid buying food in plastic packaging as much as possible. Farmers markets are great not only for buying local and in-season, but also for avoiding the excess packaging you’ll find in most grocery stores. No matter where you shop, bring tote bags and reusable produce bags (you can even make your own). 

Avoid plastic cutting boards, which shed microplastics as you use them. Instead, use boards made of solid wood or other non-porous materials like bamboo or stone, especially for raw meat. (It’s a myth that you shouldn’t cut meat on a wooden cutting board. A good solid wood that’s cleaned properly is perfectly safe.)

Going plastic-free in the kitchen means saying goodbye to Teflon and looking for other nonstick skillets that are not coated in plastic, like stainless steel, carbon steel, and more. Anne-Marie Bonneau, author of Zero-Waste Chef, prefers traditional cast-iron pans. She claims they can even improve the taste of your food. Win-win!

When it comes to cooking utensils, opt for wooden or stainless-steel over plastic — just make sure they’re compatible with the kind of pan you’re using (metal utensils might chip away at enameled cast iron, for example). Need some recommendations? Here are our favorite long-lasting kitchen utensils and sustainable cookware.

Finally, eliminate plastic film by choosing beeswax wrap. If you struggle to make it “cling” like plastic wrap, hold your warm hands on it. Reusable silicone is a good swap for plastic baggies. And store leftovers in glass containers. Their see-through, microwaveable walls can help you avoid potential food waste, too. And once you’ve replaced plastic, let Dot tell you what to do with your old plastic bowls.

The Laundry Room

The clothes that we wash and the products we use to wash them often contain plastics that can break down and wash away into our waterways. Dot offers a list of eco-friendly laundry habits that reduce the amount of microplastics released into the environment through the laundry, including washing less frequently, washing fuller loads, using cold water, and hang-drying. 

Swapping out certain products will make a difference, too — for instance, using a concentrated detergent that comes in recyclable packaging instead of a product that’s mostly water and comes in a large plastic jug. A Bluedot favorite is Dirty Labs. And instead of single-use, synthetic dryer sheets, choose reusable dryer balls. To capture microfibers shed by synthetic clothing, check out the Cora Ball.

You can also eliminate plastic at the source of laundry — your closet —  by moving away from synthetic clothing, like your typical athleisure. Yes, your beloved stretchy pants are most likely made from petroleum-based plastic fibers. Try shopping for clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk.

For a comprehensive look at the topic, check out A Bluedot Guide to Laundry. 

The Bathroom

Our bathrooms are full of products — toilet paper, swabs, personal care products — that we have to buy over and over, and many of them come packaged in plastic.

Clean up your shower routine by swapping out liquid bodywash and hair products , for bar soap and solid shampoo and conditioner. The Bluedot Living Collection offers loads of options, including soap-saver bags that double as body scrubbers, soap dishes that keep products from getting mushy, and loofahs made from natural, biodegradable materials.

For oral care, brush with a bamboo toothbrush and swap out your regular toothpaste and mouthwash for tablet versions. Most floss is made with plastic and stored in plastic containers. Look for options such as charcoal floss that comes in glass, stainless steel, and bamboo holders. 

Dump disposable period products for sustainable menstrual products such as silicone cups, period underwear, or cloth pads.

Outside of the Home

Although we have less control over when and how plastics are used outside of our homes, there are steps we can take to avoid them. (“Less control” isn’t “no control.” Read the box below for ways to advocate for change in your community.)

Restaurants and Cafés

When you order a coffee to go, bring a reusable mug or cup and straw, and ask the barista to use them instead of a single-use cup. Some cafés offer discounts to customers who bring their own cup or sell their own reusable to-go cups — support these establishments!

At sit-down restaurants, plastics typically come into play in boxes for leftovers. We encourage you to take them home to combat food waste (and save money!) — just bring your own containers.

Avoiding plastic while ordering takeout is trickier. Bring your own metal or bamboo utensils (you can even keep a set in your purse or car) and bags, and make sure to tell the restaurant you don’t need their plastic versions. 

Shopping

Plastic often shows up in packaging. Where you can, prioritize products with packaging made from post-consumer waste or from materials that are reusable or easily recyclable, such as glass and metal. 

Better still, avoid packaging all together by shopping at zero-waste stores where you bring your own containers and fill them with beauty products, cleaning products, food, and more. 

Of course, bring your own reusable bags to the store every time. To make it easier to remember, leave them in your car or hanging by your front door.

A Few Favorite Plastic-Free Staples

Wooden Cooking Tools

Wooden kitchen tools have been getting the job done for generations, and for good reason. Earlywood’s handcrafted utensils are made to last for years, won’t scratch most cookware, and never shed plastic into your food. From flat sauté tools to sturdy spatulas and serving spoons, these are everyday essentials you’ll reach for again and again. ($11+)

Solid Soap and Haircare

A simple swap at the sink can keep dozens of plastic bottles out of the recycling bin — or landfill — over time. Bar soaps, shampoo bars, and conditioner bars clean just as effectively as their bottled counterparts while taking up less space and traveling without leaks. Pair them with a soap dish or saver bag to help them last even longer. ($9.80+) 

Concentrated Cleaning

Concentrated formulas mean less water shipped and less packaging to throw away. Dirty Labs’ laundry and dishwasher detergents deliver powerful cleaning performance in compact, thoughtfully designed packaging that helps reduce plastic waste without sacrificing results. ($16+)

A Better Base Layer

Many everyday basics are made with synthetic fibers that can shed microplastics in the laundry over time. Kent’s 100% cotton underwear, boxers, bras, and tees are breathable, comfortable, and an easy way to reduce plastic in your wardrobe. ($28+) 

Cleaner Candles

Many conventional candles are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum-derived material. Choosing candles made from beeswax, soy, or coconut helps avoid petroleum-based ingredients while creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Every candle in the Bluedot Living Collection is made with plastic-free wax that’s safe for indoor air. ($10.50+)