Plastic-free July may be over, but we had so much fun last month reducing the plastic consumption that we wanted to keep it rolling. Check out these five easy swaps for a plastic-free August. Let us know what your favorite easy exchange is for an eco-friendlier life.
1) Glass Water Bottle
Did you know that 50 million plastic water bottles are in our landfills? Water bottles alone are taking up so much of our waste and can take hundreds of years to decompose, slowly releasing toxic chemicals into our air, water, and ground. Glass water bottles offer a convenient solution to a common problem–being thirsty on the go. There are a variety of sizes and patterns for reusable glass water bottles.
2) Reusable Coffee Cups
Love having coffee on the go? We do too! But we couldn’t keep justifying the massive amount of plastic we were consuming when we would pick up a Starbucks on the go. We swapped out our usual plastic coffee cup with a reusable one, and it’s been great. Reusable coffee cups can be an extra accessory to showcase your personality.
If you’re looking for an in-office option but don’t want to deal with the hassle of nagging your staff to wash their dishes, try using a biodegradable single-use option instead!
3) Reusable Metal or Glass Straws
Iced coffee hits different when drunk through a straw, but most reusable and disposable options have ditched the straw. Reusable metal or glass straws are an excellent option for the straw lovers out there. Don’t forget to buy a straw cleaner brush, especially if you drink smoothies or anything that may leave a hard-to-remove residue.
4) Bamboo Toothbrush
Every toothbrush you’ve never used still exists today. That’s because toothbrushes are typically made from plastic that does not easily break down. Bamboo toothbrushes are an eco-friendly option. They are made from sustainable bamboo material and can be composted when you’re finished with the toothbrush.
5) Silk Floss
Did you know your favorite floss is made from plastic? It’s coated with TFC’s a chemical compound made from teflon. Teflon is a harmful chemical that takes about 1,000 years to breakdown. It has been shown to cause illness and disease. Yuck! Silk floss is a sustainable, eco-friendly option that comes in a pretty glass container.