Undeniably, plastic has many uses, and it has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, the widespread use of single-use plastic and irresponsible disposal by consumers have created a devastating problem for the environment, wildlife, and human health. 

From polluting our oceans to contributing to climate change, the harmful effects of plastic are evident and affecting us in many different ways. 

"We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it." - Barack Obama.

There are simple plastic swaps we can implement to reduce our plastic consumption in our lives, starting right from our homes. We are going to share with you ten practical alternatives to plastic products that can make a significant difference in reducing plastic waste.

1. Swap resealable plastic bags with Mojo Silicone Bag

Although resealable plastic bags are technically reusable and recyclable, they can only be reused a few times (depending on usage and care), and are unlikely to be recycled due to food contamination. Some plastic bags can also leach toxic chemicals into your food, causing health issues.

Go for more durable and safer food storage options instead, like the reusable Mojo Silicone Bags. They are leak-proof, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe, and perfect for sous vide cooking – a great choice for storing and freezing poultry, soups, and other food items fresh without the negative environmental impact.

Bonus: Mojo Silicone Bag is is made of LFGB-certified silicone, a more premium and higher quality silicone with increased durability and less odour.

2. Swap cling wrap with Silicone Stretch Lids

Say goodbye to disposable plastic cling wrap and switch to Silicone Stretch Lids. These stretchable and reusable covers can be used to seal bowls, plates, containers, and even half-cut onions and watermelons, keeping your food fresh without the need for single-use plastic wrap.

Bonus: These silicone stretch lids come in a set of 6 different sizes, covering all your needs (pun intended). 

3. Swap plastic loofahs for Oasis Ramie Bath Pouf

Synthetic loofahs are made of plastics. And every singe time you use them, they shed microplastics, contributing to water pollution and they can harbour harmful and unhygienic mould and bacteria. Opt for Oasis Ramie Bath Pouf made from natural plant fibers. They provide gentle exfoliation and are biodegradable, reducing plastic waste in your bathroom.

Bonus: Made of plant-derived ramie fibres, it is naturally resistant to mould, bacteria and stains.

4. Swap soap bottles for Gentle Mood soaps

Many of the plastic bottles that contain liquid soap are made from high-density Polyethylene (HDPE, Plastic #2) which are easily recycled – just make sure that they are clean.

Or, you can simply eliminate this plastic in your bathroom just by choosing bar soaps like Gentle Mood. These handmade soaps are 100% natural and packaged in plastic-free packaging, better for you and the environment.

Bonus: Gentle Mood soaps are made with plant-derived oils and pure essential oils for a sensory shower experience! 

5. Swap microfiber cloth for Uncommon Sponge Cloth

We know microfiber cloth and its widespread use for cleaning, but do you know that it is actually made of plastic? Every time you wash these synthetic fabrics, millions of microplastics are shed and they end up in our waterways, polluting it and harming the marine life.

Consider using the natural and effective alternative - Uncommon Sponge Cloth, a super absorbent cloth made from natural plant resources. It can soak up 15x its weight in water, and is great for cleaning all kinds of surfaces without leaving stains or streaks. 

Bonus: Made of cellulose and cotton, this sponge cloth is fast-drying and odour-resistant, hence reducing bacteria growth.

6. Find plastic trash bag alternatives

Now that we have to pay for disposable plastic bags in most supermarkets in Singapore, are you struggling to find alternatives for your litter bins?

It's actually not that difficult. First, reuse, recycle or compost whatever you can to reduce your trash. To line your bins, reuse whatever bags/boxes you have - be it poly bags from parcels, packaging bags from your toilet paper, rice etc, or you can even repurpose newspaper as a makeshift liner. For dry trash, you can even opt for no bag at all and directly empty the rubbish into a larger waste container during disposal.

 How to make a liner for your kitchen container

7. Swap single-use plastic containers for Lejos Silicone Collapsible Lunch Box

Ditch the single-use plastic food containers where possible and opt for reusable containers like Lejos Silicone Collapsible Lunch Box instead. If you know you're going to takeaway a meal or buy a snack, bring along these reusable food containers with you. These silicone lunch boxes are heat-resistant, spill-proof and microwave-safe, making them an excellent alternative for storing food without resorting to plastic.

Bonus: Lejos lunch boxes are collapsible, so they don't take up much space in your bag when not in use.

8. Say no to plastic straws

Do you know that 500 million straws are used in the United States every day, and as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute world's beaches? For something that is only used for an average of just 20 minutes, it takes 200 years to decompose. Ask yourself - are plastic straws really necessary? 

Replace them with reusable alternatives like stainless steel, bamboo, or glass straws. Carry your own straw when dining out to avoid using plastic ones, or better yet - go strawless.

9. Always have a reusable bag with you

With Oliver Park reusable bags, there's really no excuse to forget to bring your reusable bag. It's as light as an egg, folds to a compact size that fits most pockets, yet it's big and strong enough to hold 20kg of load. 

We recommend keeping a few of these foldable bags in your car, bag or office to avoid using single-use plastic bags in stores.

Bonus: These Oliver Park bags come in 40 different fashion-forward colours and designs, it's definitely going to amp up your overall look. 

10. Choose Products with Less Packaging

When shopping, opt for products with packaging that is minimal, recyclable or contains recycled content. Some products come with unnecessary packaging for aesthetic and advertising purposes, and they are usually thrown away immediately after purchase.

We also recommend going for loose fruits and vegetables without packaging, grocery shopping at bulk food stores, and opting for refillable items like cleaning supplies or personal care products – just ensure that you don’t use single-use plastic pouches to hold these items.

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Reducing plastic use at home is an essential step towards a more sustainable future. By implementing these 10 simple changes, we can significantly reduce our plastic footprint and contribute to a healthier environment.

Let's embrace sustainable alternatives where they can be responsibly disposed of, raise awareness, and inspire others to join us on this journey of creating a sustainable home and a cleaner planet for generations to come.

Have more plastic swaps in mind? Leave us a comment below.

Sources: 
https://wwf.org.au/blogs/the-lifecycle-of-plastics/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/news-plastic-drinking-straw-history-ban
https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-fish-in-a-plastic-glove-on-gray-sand-4813971/