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Mass plastic production began about sixty years ago. The material’s durability, low weight, and versatility made it a popular manufacturing product. But our society’s addiction to single-use plastic grew quickly. 
 

Today, we produce about 300 million tons of plastic waste annually — approximately the same weight as the entire human population. Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to degrade naturally — if it does at all — and has clogged our oceans, polluted our beaches and lands, and affected all levels of the global ecosystem — including human health.
 

Research says that our reliance on plastic:

 

• Contaminates our soil and water with chemicals and synthetic fibers.
   
• Threatens animal life, especially in the marine ecosystem, with waste impacting movement, feeding, reproduction, and physical health.
   
• Contributes to air pollution during production, decomposition, and incineration.
   
• Leads to bioaccumulation in the food chain — microplastics wind up back on our plates.
• Accounts for a significant portion of the world’s oil and water consumption.
   

Reuse to Reduce

Recycling once posed a promising solution to plastic waste management, but ultimately, only nine percent of plastic ever produced has been recycled. 
 

Other encouraging alternatives like bioplastics bring similar misconceptions. While plant-based plastics degrade faster, studies show they still often come with high toxicity levels and may cause similar environmental damage. 
 

Swapping out plastic items for reusable products is the most effective answer. Reusing to reduce not only caps today’s skyrocketing plastic waste, but also helps to save you money and may be better for your health. 
 

It’s not just about reusable bottles, straws, and bags. Today, there are many ways to break your reliance on plastic products.
 

In the Kitchen

From plastic cling wrap to sandwich bags, your kitchen is often one of the biggest contributors to your personal plastic consumption.
 

Limit kitchen-generated waste by:

1. Using beeswax wraps and silicone lids in place of cling film to store food and prepare lunches.
    
2. Ditching disposal k-cups for reusable versions.
    
3. Scrubbing up with silicone brushes, sponges, and cleaning gloves that last longer in your kitchen.
    
4. Investing in appliances like an at-home soda maker that reduces the number of plastic bottles you buy.
    

It’s not just about obvious single-use plastics. Containers and packaging account for almost 30 percent of global plastic generation. 
 

Bring less plastic waste into your home by using:

1. A roll of “unpaper” towels you can wash and reuse — eliminating the need to buy new, plastic-wrapped supplies.
    
2. Fabric produce bags like mesh or muslin to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Sturdy bulk bin bags for dry items like rice, cereals, and legumes.
    
4. Glass containers to store your produce haul and keep food fresher for longer.
5. Silicone bags that prevent freezer burn.
    
6. Airtight, watertight, stainless steel containers you can put straight in the oven or the fridge — great for picking up cuts of meat, fish, and cheese.
    

To-Go Alternatives

With today’s busy lifestyles, packaging waste tends to follow us throughout the day. Get sustainable on-the-go with easy swaps you reuse continually, whether you’re making food at home or grabbing your favorite takeaway.
 

Ditch plastic versions of everyday items with:

1. Bamboo or stainless-steel coffee mugs that can net you a discount at many cafes today, including Starbucks.
    
2. Bento boxes that keep prepped ingredients neat and warm until you’re ready to dine.
3. Snack packs to reduce the urge to grab a bag of chips during the day.
    
4. Drinkable food pouches great for kids and adults alike.
    
5. Yogurt parfait cups.
    

When you’re on the go, you probably bring your phone along. Most people replace their phone every one to two years, driving the market for plastic protective cases that usually have even shorter life spans. 
 

End the unsustainable cycle with a versatile, life-proof phone pouch that can fit any smartphone model on the market. A phone pouch from Miniwiz even pulls microbes off your phone, eliminating 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on its surfaces. 
 

Beauty and Hygiene swaps

Reusable versions of sanitary items aren’t just more environmentally-friendly. Research shows that they’re healthier, help prevent infections, and may even reduce menstrual cramps. 
 

Depending on your preference, investing in washable silicone period cups, sanitary pads, pantyliners, or period panties can also save you hundreds of dollars per year.
 

There are more items around your bathroom sneakily adding to your plastic tally that you can easily replace with more sustainable alternatives. More than one billion plastic toothbrushes get thrown away each year in the U.S. Eliminate your contribution to this waste with bamboo or silicone toothbrush alternatives. 
 

Other easy swaps include:

1. Toothpaste tablets in place of the standard plastic tube.
    
2. Stainless steel or silicone ear wax cleaners.
    
3. Washable diapers and baby wipes.
    
4. Shampoo and conditioner bottles you can refill at bulk shops.
    
5. Reusable cotton rounds for makeup or product application.
    
6. Silicone face molds you can reuse.
    

Home Hacks

We all want a clean, fresh home. There are eco-friendly ways to make one.
 

Think global in your own home with:

1. Dehydrated cleaning tablets you dissolve into reusable spray bottles.
    
2. Wool dryer balls that have up to 1,000 uses.
    
3. Microfiber pads that attach to your Swiffer or mop head.
    
4. Reusable twist ties to organize everything in your house.
    
5. Naturally-scented air fresheners you can refill. 
    

Washable lint rollers.

Party On

Most wrapping paper is lined in plastic — making landfills the ultimate recipient of most gift-giving.
 

Reusable gift wrap and bags close the loop while giving a more personal touch to your presents with unique fabrics, silky scarves, or multi-purpose cloth. 
 

Eliminate other celebratory waste with:

1. Washi tape made of natural fibers instead of plastic tape varieties.
    
2. Reusable red party cups to strike that casual barbecue vibe.
    
3. Japanese paper balloons, reusable balloon clusters, or honeycomb balls in place of standard, single-use balloons.
    
4. Dried flowers and seeds instead of plastic or paper confetti.
    

It’s a Change in Attitude 

Choosing to live sustainably isn’t necessarily a sacrifice. In fact, investing in long-lasting, reusable items frees up your budget, streamlines your weekly shopping list, and limits your exposure to the toxic chemicals found in plastic.
 

The more zero-waste adjustments you make to your everyday life, the more opportunities you’ll see to scale your sustainable lifestyle even further. At Miniwiz, that’s what we do. 

Check out how we’ve taken sustainability concepts to leverage reusable, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly material solutions for industries across the globe. 

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