A Room-by-Room Guide for Going Plastic Free

And other tips for living a more sustainable life

From Sierra magazine by Jacqueline Kehoe

Though the impacts of plastic on wildlife and the environment are well documented, its effects on human health are now becoming clearer: Plastic exposure is linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more.

While plastic is everywhere, we can still significantly reduce exposure in our own homes. And we can keep advocating for a plastic free world through local change and policy.

It's possible to make progress without burning out. How? Just go one room at a time.

This is an abbreviated version of the full article from Sierra magazine. You can read the entire guide here.

1. Your kitchen

If there's one room in your house to focus on, make it your kitchen.

What can I change?

• Notice items that see repeated friction, abrasion, or heat. Think plastic sponges, cutting boards, and coffee makers -- scrubbing, cutting, and exposure to high temperatures can cause microplastics to shed into our food, water, and hands multiple times a day.
• Weed out the plastic sandwich storage bags from your drawer and, over time, replace them with other ways to store food, like glass or bamboo containers.
• Of course, the first rule of going plastic free is going zero waste. Before you go out and buy new, shop secondhand, and look to repurpose what you already have, like those glass jars in your recycling bin.

This article is from Sierra, the award-winning magazine of the Sierra Club. Sierra is dedicated to stories about exploring, protecting, and living in harmony with the natural world, covering everything from climate change to book reviews and profiles of local changemakers.

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2. Your bathroom

This one will be more difficult, so go easy on yourself. Start small and move from there.

What can I change?

• For toilet paper (bidet, anyone?), go bamboo or the kind wrapped in paper.
• Make the switch to metal safety razors and natural loofahs and toothbrushes.
• Lastly, do some retail research. More brands are jumping on the plastic free train -- you may be surprised by what you find, like reusable, refillable body washes and stainless-steel deodorants.

3. Your living room

Your living room may not feel like a plastic hot spot, but take a closer look.

What can I change?

• Upholstered furniture can be made from polyester (plastic), and vinyl flooring is also plastic. Very few people have the resources to replace all their furniture and the flooring. But going forward, start making choices that phase out those plastic items when you're making a change.
• Look for candles in glass or tin, and swap out plastic picture frames for wooden or metal ones.
• If you are a parent whose living room is often just a second playroom for your kid, wooden toys hold up beautifully through multiple generations.

4. Your bedroom

Plastic-fueled sleep does not make for sweet dreams.

What can I change?

• Your bedding: transition to organic cotton or linen once it's time to replace your current sheets. Linens made with polyester, nylon, or acrylics release microplastic fibers into the air and your washing water.
• Your mattress is a longer game. Many conventional mattresses are made with plastic, but a full replacement is a significant investment. Covers made from natural materials can help in the meantime.
• Your closet is next up. Don't throw out what you have, but when buying new, choose natural fibers, and wash synthetics in a Guppyfriend bag, which captures the plastic fibers from your machine before they enter our water.

What else can you do to make a plastic free world?

Going plastic free at home is a solid start. It's just as easy -- and important -- to also encourage meaningful systemic change at the community level.

Join the movement: If your state doesn't already have a ban on single-use plastics, contact your elected representative and demand one.

Read the full article with more tips and resources here!

About the Author: Jacqueline Kehoe is a writer and photographer focusing on citizen conservation and public lands.

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