August 05, 2025

You've Already Stopped Using Plastic Straws. Here’s How to Cut More Plastic from Your Life

So, you’ve ditched plastic straws. That’s a great first step. It might have started when your favorite coffee shop handed you a paper straw that slowly turned into mush by the last sip, but hey, the intention was there. Now you’re wondering, “What’s next? How can I cut even more plastic from my daily life without losing my mind or my convenience?” Good news: there are plenty of ways to reduce plastic without turning your life upside down.

First, let’s talk about plastic bags. Grocery stores love them. They multiply like rabbits in our kitchen drawers. But you can say goodbye to them for good with a couple of reusable shopping bags. Keep a few in your car, purse or near your front door so you don’t forget them. And yes, you will forget them sometimes. Everyone does. Just get back on track the next time. Reusable produce bags are also a game changer. Those little flimsy bags we use for apples or lettuce? Replace them with mesh or cotton ones that you can wash and reuse.

Next up: water bottles. This one is a no-brainer, yet bottled water sales are still through the roof. A good stainless steel or glass water bottle can last you years. They come in all sizes and styles, and you can even find ones with built-in filters if you’re worried about your tap water. Think about all the money you’ll save and all the plastic bottles you’ll keep out of landfills.

Another sneaky plastic culprit lives in your kitchen: food storage. Plastic wrap, sandwich bags, and takeout containers are everywhere. But now there are beeswax wraps, silicone lids, glass containers with snap-on tops, and even reusable zip bags. They’re just as convenient and don’t leach weird chemicals into your food. Start by swapping one or two items at a time so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Let’s take a peek into the bathroom too. It’s a plastic haven in there. Shampoo bottles, body wash, razors, toothbrushes. Luckily, more companies are offering solid shampoo bars and conditioner bars that last just as long as the bottled stuff. You can also switch to bamboo toothbrushes and safety razors with replaceable blades. They might feel old-fashioned, but they work just as well and create far less waste.

Don’t forget your cleaning supplies. Most come in big plastic jugs or spray bottles. Some brands now offer refillable cleaning systems, where you buy a bottle once and just mix tablets or concentrated solutions with water at home. It’s cheaper in the long run and reduces the amount of plastic that ends up sitting in your cabinet, unused and half full.

And finally, be mindful with purchases. Packaging is half the problem. When possible, buy in bulk or choose items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Support local farmers’ markets, where produce often comes packaging-free. Avoid fast fashion when you can, since clothes made from synthetic fibers shed microplastics in the wash.

This isn’t about perfection. You don’t have to overhaul your life in one weekend. But every small change adds up. Remember how you started with a simple straw? That one choice led you here. Imagine where you’ll be a year from now with a few more conscious decisions under your belt. Reducing plastic is not just good for the planet, it can also be surprisingly rewarding. And yes, your paper straw will still probably collapse halfway through your smoothie, but now you’ll have a reusable stainless steel one ready in your bag.