9 Things I Still Buy in Plastic
I’ve been slowly trying to get to 100% plastic-free for a few years now. After simplifying my life and finding plastic-free alternatives, I’m 99% there! However, there are several things I still buy in plastic. Some of them I now buy in plastic because of COVID, others I haven’t found a plastic-free replacement. Here are the top nine items I still buy in plastic.
Organic Water Processed Decaf Coffee
Before COVID, I would buy loose coffee at Peet’s or in the bulk section at Sprouts. I try to get organic water-processed decaf because normal decaf coffee is decaffeinated using chemicals. After COVID, I could not longer get items using my own bags, so I bought a huge 5 lb bag from my favorite coffee roaster in San Diego, Cafe Moto.
Even though it comes in a plastic bag, it’s still my favorite coffee! And when I think about it, the coffee gets shipped to Peet’s in large 5 lb bags, so even when I get coffee at Peet’s there’s still some plastic involved, even if I don’t go home with it.
Organic Decaf Loose Leaf Green Tea
Organic decaf loose leaf tea was another item I used to get in the bulk bin or at my local tea house. With COVID, I’ve resorted back to my go-to organic tea brand: Davidson’s
Panko Bread Crumbs
Panko bread crumbs is one of the items I don’t have a replacement for. I know I can make regular bread crumbs with dried out bread, but since I don’t have a food processor, grating the dried bread makes a mess. Plus, we don’t let bread go to waste too often, so I never have enough breadcrumbs.
If you know how to get plastic-free panko bread crumbs or know how to make them, tell me in the comments!
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
Being half Vietnamese, I grew up with Sriracha. I’ve basically always had it in my house since moving out. It goes on anything and everything…eggs for breakfast, Mexican food, pizza, mac n’ cheese…so good! Unfortunately, the original brand of Sriracha only comes in plastic. So, I buy the biggest bottle I can find.
When things go back to normal, I might trying to see if restaurants will sell me a mason jar full of Sriracha. Ahhh…when things go back to normal. *sigh*
Meat
Meat is another post-COVID plastic item for me. I used to bring my own container to the butcher or deli each week but clearly, I can’t do that anymore. So, instead of buying a little bit of meat each week and end up with four plastic bags and butcher paper each month, I get however much meat I need for the month and freeze what I don’t use in that week.
Cheese
Cheese has the same story as meat. I used to bring my container or beeswax wraps to the deli to get a block of cheese. Now, I get enough cheese to last us at least a few weeks and it comes in a plastic bag.
Clothes From Online Consignment Shops
Ever since I learned that synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, and nylon are essentially plastic, I started trying to switch all my clothes to natural fibers like cotton and silk. When I was pregnant, I realized that polyester made my skin itch…it was terrible, especially in the winter.
The problem is that all clothes shed microfibers and since the fibers are so small, they don’t get caught in waste water treatment plants. So, they flow into our ocean. If they’re made from natural fibers, they degrade. If they’re synthetic fibers…it’s just more plastic going into our ocean.
So, I’ve been slowly replacing all the synthetic fabrics in my closet. And to make it more eco-friendly, I’ve been shopping secondhand. Like this stunning Roberto Cavalli Dress from theRealReal.
I’ve mentioned before that I love theRealReal. They have high quality secondhand luxury goods. I want items I know are made well and that are made from natural fibers–basically the opposite of fast fashion. Unfortunately, they usually ship in a plastic bag. It’s hard to win them all.
Occasional Amazon Order
Amazon orders can be hit or miss. Sometimes you get the perfect sized box with some paper. Other times you get a bubble mailer. Either way, I’ve been limiting my Amazon purchases. Instead, I’ve been buying some of my go-to zero waste items from small shops like Marley’s Monsters who always ship plastic-free.
Leave-In Conditioner
Finally, I’ve been using leave-in conditioner for years. But one of these bottles will last me for years. I dilute it and turn it in to a spray. So, when I need a detangler, or when it’s been a few days since I’ve washed my hair and it needs a little something extra, I spray this in my hair.
I usually only use a quarter sized drop in an 8 ounce bottle. I think I bought my current bottle 4 years ago and I still have 2/3 of the bottle left. When I only have a quarter left, I’ll probably see if I can grate one of my conditioner bars from LUSH and turn that into a spray. But until then, I’m going to use up the bottle I have!
What do you think? Do you have any solutions for my 9 items? If so, tell me in the comments!
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