Taking a straw for our iced coffee, putting a takeout bag in our lunchbox, or wrapping a candy bar in a plastic bag—each of these acts seems harmless at first glance. We barely notice these modern conveniences because they are everywhere and quickly discarded. There's a steep environmental cost to single-use plastic—one we'll end up paying for millennia. We have highly damaging effects on our oceans, wildlife, and health due to our plastic addiction.
One may be surprised to learn that every piece of plastic manufactured still exists in some form or another. Any plastic produced today will last up to 1,000 years due to the long breakdown time of plastic. Biodegrading and recycling single-use plastics is impossible.
In contrast to breaking down organically, plastic breaks down into microplastics. Thousands of miles from land, some of the greatest microplastic accumulations are found in all five subtropical gyres. Even Mount Everest has been found with microplastics. Ocean microplastics pose physical and toxicological risks due to their widespread presence in the oceans. As a result, the environment suffers catastrophic consequences.
Single-Use Plastic Alternatives: 10 Sustainable Alternatives
In response, customers and businesses seek alternatives to single-use plastic products to reduce waste. Single-use items generate more waste, leading to higher disposable prices. When comparing single-use versus reusable items, companies should consider disposal costs.
Reusable items, however, require significantly more energy than single-use products. Therefore, to make purchases more sustainable, businesses should emphasise reusing goods.
Now replacement of plastic in daily use is imperative. Let's look at 10 eco-friendly home care products which can be a great sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
Paper Cups
Virgin paper cups are coated with a thin layer of waterproof plastic film. There is a tight bond between the plastic and the paper inside the cup, making it hard to recycle! With the advent of alternatives to disposable coffee cups, businesses and customers can now enjoy coffee without harming the environment.
Bamboo Plates
For fuss-free party planning, plastic plates are a common choice. Instead of plastic plates, palm leaf or bamboo pulp plates are a great alternative to disposable dinnerware if one doesn't have enough glass or ceramic plates or seeks an eco-friendly alternative. Bamboo plates and similar products can also be used as plastic alternatives for food packaging.
Microfibre cloths
Plastic kitchen sponges are another environmental enemy, harbouring bacteria and germs. Changing our sponge once a week is a good idea; however, a large number are thrown into landfills every year. It is good to know that alternatives to plastic sponges exist, such as bamboo or wooden scrubbing brushes and microfibre cloths.
Fabric Face Masks
It takes centuries for polypropylene to revert to nature after breaking it down into small pieces that are impossible to recycle. It is even better if one makes masks themselves. Unless one is in the medical field, one can easily swap single-use masks for washable plastic-free cloth masks.
Washable Bamboo Nappies
According to Sustainability Victoria, Australia, and New Zealand use an estimated 3.75 million disposable nappies every day. The breakdown of each nappy is estimated to take 150 years. Instead, switch to modern cloth nappies. Numerous Australian-made products are now available, many made from sustainable fabrics. Even though there are still environmental impacts associated with cloth alternatives (increased detergents, energy use, and water consumption when washing and drying), they are still a more environmentally-friendly option. Consider bamboo inserts instead of flushable liners, which cause havoc on the environment.
Cotton Tote Bags
Globally, plastic shopping bags have become ubiquitous, from the depths of the ocean to Mount Everest and the polar ice caps. They are produced at a rate of up to one trillion bags per year. The widespread use of plastic bags intensifies a major environmental challenge. A typical use lasts 20 minutes, though it can take 400–1000 years for them to decompose. Cotton tote bags are alternatives to single-use plastic bags. Cotton totes are available from many brands with eco-friendly products and are based on eco-friendly lifestyles. Check out Beco's sustainable cotton tote bags.
Liquid Detergent
Scented liquid laundry detergent and dryer sheets contain hazardous chemicals, two of which are classified by the EPA as carcinogens. What should we do next? Natural and plant-based detergents are available for even the dirtiest clothes, cutting through oil, grease, and dirt. It is also possible to clean laundry with natural detergent, which effectively removes multiple types of stains and leaves fabrics without chemical residue. Beco's natural laundry detergent liquid is one of the best options.
Bamboo Straws
Around the world, plastic straws contribute to the bulk of marine debris. Globally, there are between 437 million and 8.3 billion plastic straws on the world's beaches. Straws are the most likely single-use plastic item to end up in waterways. As they are thin, flimsy, and easily broken into pieces, they pollute soil and water. Moreover, these non-biodegradable straws pose a health hazard as they leak chemicals into your beverages.
Instead of plastic straws, buy reusable bamboo straws. Maintaining these reusable straws is easy as they normally come with their own cleaning brush.
Eco-friendly Toilet Papers
Eco-friendly toilet paper is the perfect solution for consumers concerned about the impact of traditional toilet paper on the environment. Made from sustainably sourced materials, eco-friendly toilet paper is free from chemicals, dyes, and fragrances that can be harmful to people and the planet. Many eco-friendly product brands are also packaged in plastic-free or biodegradable materials, making them a truly environmentally responsible choice.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Another easy and effective method of reducing plastic consumption is switching to a bamboo toothbrush. Decomposing a plastic toothbrush takes over 400 years. A toothbrush made from organically-grown bamboo is recyclable, biodegradable, and naturally antibacterial. Getting rid of single-use plastic pollution is remarkably simple. It doesn't require much to implement most of these ideas! Check out bamboo toothbrushes with activated charcoal bristles at Beco!
Conclusion
We must pivot away from single-use plastics and adopt a sustainable lifestyle with eco-friendly products. With Beco, one can switch to plant-based and bamboo products and adopt eco-friendly ways of living. Wet wipes, micellar wipes, tissues, toilet paper, kitchen towels, and toilet paper are all made from bamboo. Unlike other liquid cleaners, Beco liquid cleaners contain no harmful chemicals. They are safe for pets and babies. Contact us with any questions you may have about these products.
What will you come up with? We're excited to see your decision! Shop bamboo eco-friendly products at Beco.