5 Plastic-Free Swaps for Fall
The leaves are changing colors, the air is a little more crisp, and it’s almost time for Fall! With Fall comes spiced desserts, warm drinks, and some extra coziness. Here are some easy swaps to make when diving into Fall.
1. Spices
Since apples are in season, nothing says Fall like simmering apple cider on the stove, or a warm apple pie in the oven. Instead of buying spices in plastic jars, choose spices in glass jars.
I like the Simply Organic brand because the lid is metal and the jar is square so it doesn’t roll around. You can find the brand at Whole Foods or on Amazon. I also like that the labels are easy to peel off, so I can have uniform looking jars that I can refill.
I’ve also previously bought spices in bulk from grocery chains like Sprouts or from spice shops like Oaktown Spice Shop in Oakland, Ca. You simply bring your own jar in, tare it, fill the jar up with spices, and pay by weight. If you forget your jar, a paper bag also works in a jam. Check your local area for a bulk spice shop.
2. Scents
Growing up my mom always had those plug-in air fresheners that required a plastic cartridge refill. Maybe it was the fact that it was never a scent I would have chosen but I was not a fan of those things. Instead of plastic plug-in fresheners, or fabric sprays, chose some plastic-free options like candles cased in glass or metal or a glass diffuser.
When choosing candles, make sure you buy soy wax or beeswax candles. Most of the cheaper candles are made from paraffin wax which is made from petroleum (i.e oil). Soy wax and beeswax candles generally burn slower than paraffin wax (so your candle will last longer) and produce very little soot.
3. Blankets
It’s finally warm blanket weather! Who doesn’t love cozying up in a blanket while catching up on their favorite Netflix show? Unfortunately, most of the super soft cozy blankets I see for sale are made from polyester. When we wash our clothes and blankets, they shed microfibers.
If the fabric is made from natural fibers like cotton, hemp, and silk, then the fibers will eventually degrade. If they are made from synthetic fibers like polyester, rayon, and nylon, then they act like plastic fibers in our oceans–because they essentially are plastic fibers.
In fact, a study found that a single load of laundry can release 700,000 microfibers! So, make sure you choose cotton or other natural fiber blankets!
Also, when choosing blankets, make sure you get organic cotton. Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed plants. You don’t want to cozy up to a blanket that’s been essentially covered in pesticides.
4. Sweaters
Let’s apply the same concept with cozy sweaters. Except, cozy sweaters may by even worse because you wash them more often and they are closer to your skin. When shopping for a few updates to your wardrobe this fall, choose cozy sweaters made from organic cotton.
For any organic cotton basics, I love Pact. I have tanks, leggings, socks, and sports bras all from Pact.
5. Laundry
Finally, we already talked about washing blankets and sweaters. Why not make your laundry routine plastic-free this Fall too? You can buy several different types of detergent in cardboard boxes including traditional powdered detergent and liquid pods:
And detergent strips that come in a paper envelope.
What do you think? Can you make some of these easy swaps this Fall? What are some of your favorite Fall traditions? Tell me in the comments!
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