Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.
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Ditching Plastic Might Be Harder Than You Think

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Think about the last time you visited the doctor for an annual checkup, because plastic revolutionized the healthcare industry. What is your vacuum made of? Most makeup wipes contain plastic, and oddly enough, so does chewing gum.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

To be completely honest, the plastic problem isn’t really going to be solved by consumers. It’s a poor waste management problem. In order to fix this mess, corporations need to be held accountable for their waste. Keep doing what you’re (hopefully!) already doing: opting for reusable shopping bags, investing in glass or metal food storage, and keeping your reusable coffee travel mug handy. But if you really want to get serious about reducing plastic, it’s time to look at all the hidden places that plastic is hiding.

So What Do We Do?

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Clothing

Check the label on the shirt you’re wearing right now. If it isn’t made of 100% all-natural fibers, like cotton or silk, guess what! It’s got plastic in it. When buying new clothing, look for items made with natural fibers. Even items made out of a blend of natural and synthetic fibers shed less than fully-synthetic. Wash synthetic items less, and wash them on cool to help reduce the amount of shedding.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Paper Cups

When you purchase a latte at the local coffee shop, that paper cup is a little misleading. These disposable cups aren’t recyclable or biodegradable. The clear choice here is to invest in a reusable cup. Even reusable cups with plastic components are more eco-friendly than single-use cups but definitely look for metal and glass options.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Chewing Gum

Did you know that chewing gum is made with plastic? ach brand’s gum base is different, and they are trade secrets. But “gum base” is just a fancy way of saying polymers, plasticizers, and resins. That’s what makes gum chewy and stretchy, without ever breaking down. If you want to reduce your plastic footprint, it might be time to ditch the gum. Or, at least research brands that have started making plastic-free gum.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Disposable Wipes

It doesn’t matter if they say they are flushable or not, most disposable wipes contain plastic. They are usually made with plastic resins like polypropylene and polyester. I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s time to ditch the convenient makeup wipes, toilet wipes, and any other wet wipes you use. Start using reusable makeup pads made of natural fibers or even just good ol’ cotton washcloths.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

Cans

Aluminum cans are chemically treated with a plastic coating to prevent the drink from reacting with the can. Sodas and other beverages contain phosphoric and citric acids, which will corrode a can in no time. The obvious choice for canned foods is to purchase their fresh counterparts. Instead of canned green beans, it’s time to hit the produce aisle. Soda junkies might find it harder to use fewer plastics, but soda siphons are a great way to go.

Illuminate your life, Pumpkin. You deserve it.

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