100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life Review

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by

James Walters
in

Here we review the 100 steps to a plastic-free life on myplasticfreelife.com. This is part of our series on Living Sustainably.

If you already know plastics, especially single-use plastics, are bad for the environment and our future, here are the options to switch to reusables and find alternatives:

  1. Try the Sustainability Roadmap with 40+ Solutions to Climate Change

If you want some more facts before making any decisions, let’s get into the details:

I spotted these 100 steps to a plastic-free life on myplasticfreelife.com and thought it would be good to give those 100 steps a shoutout. There are some great ideas to cut down on plastic pollution and reduce the need to keep digging fossil fuels out of the ground just to make products that are used once then end up going to landfill, polluting our waters, and contributing to climate change.

So Let’s Get Into Those 100 Steps To Help Towards Living a Plastic Free Life:

  1. Carry reusable shopping bags
  2. Give up bottled water
  3. Carry your own containers for take-out food and leftovers
  4. Carry a stainless steel travel mug or water bottle
  5. Carry reusable utensils and glass drinking straws
  6. When ordering pizza, say no to the little plastic “table” in the middle
  7. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone (instead of plastic tubs in the freezer)
  8. Cut out fizzy drinks, juices, and other plastic-bottled beverages
  9. Let go of frozen convenience foods
  10. Say no to food in plastic bags (try a veg box or buy from a veg shop)
  11. Shop your local farmers market
  12. Return containers for fruit, veg, honey etc. to be reused
  13. Bring your own container for meat and prepared foods
  14. Buy (or bake) bread that comes in either paper bags or no bags
  15. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles
  16. Buy large wheels of unwrapped cheese
  17. Choose wine bottled in glass with natural corks (check Corkwatch)
  18. Learn to love the bulk bins
  19. Choose plastic-free chewing gum
  20. Clean with vinegar and water
  21. Baking soda is a fantastic scouring powder
  22. Use powdered dishwasher detergent in a cardboard box (or soapnuts)
  23. Hand wash dishes without plastic
  24. Use natural cleaning cloths and scrubbers
  25. Wash clothes with homemade laundry soap and stain removers
  26. If you already own a Swiffer (plastic) mop, try switching to a reusable pad
  27. Use natural rubber gloves (i.e. If You Care brand FSC-certified)
  28. Check labels of personal care products! (Avoid “polyethylene” as ingredients)
  29. Switch to bar soap instead of liquid soap
  30. Give up shampoo in plastic bottles
  31. Try hair salves and pomades in metal tins or glass jars
  32. Color hair with henna purchased in bulk/solid for without plastic packaging
  33. Baking soda is the best deodorant EVER
  34. Try solid shave soap instead of canned shave cream
  35. Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers
  36. Switch from a plastic razor to a second-hand safety razor
  37. Reconsider how you clean your teeth
  38. Coconut oil is great for grown-ups (and has natural anti-fungal properties)
  39. Choose toilet paper that’s not wrapped in plastic
  40. Use plastic-free feminine hygiene products
  41. Look into plastic-free sunscreen options
  42. Explore plastic-free hair accessories and tools
  43. Keep your own reusable foodware at the office
  44. Carry lunches in reusable stainless containers or cloth bags
  45. Choose reusable cloth sandwich/snack bags over plastic baggies
  46. Choose glass or stainless steel food storage containers and reuse
  47. Try natural beeswax coated cloth wraps instead of plastic cling film
  48. Choose a glass blender
  49. Spin salad without plastic (in a cotton produce bag)
  50. Learn to preserve foods without plastic
  51. Avoid non-stick cookware (watch the film Dark Waters, be afraid)
  52. Choose stainless steel ice cube trays and Popsicle molds
  53. Don’t buy water filter cartridges (use bamboo charcoal filters)
  54. Make your own homemade yogurt without a yogurt maker!
  55. Make your own milks (like oat or nut or soy)
  56. Make your own condiments
  57. Make your own snacks and energy bars
  58. Acquire necessary plastic items used instead of new
  59. Repair things when they break
  60. Make your own glue (such as homemade wheat paste)
  61. Avoid disposable plastic pens
  62. Compost food waste to avoid plastic rubbish bags (and keep out of landfill)
  63. Choose natural cat litter
  64. Choose pet toys and furniture made from natural materials instead of plastic
  65. Avoid feeding pets from plastic bowls
  66. Buy second hand pet supplies instead of new
  67. Learn to make homemade pet food without plastic
  68. When traveling, bring your own water bottle, even on the plane!
  69. Bring your own snacks on the plane, too
  70. Bring your own utensils on the road and in the air
  71. Bring your own travel mug
  72. Don’t forget your headphones when flying (not the disposable plastic ones)
  73. Bring your own personal care products
  74. Refuse the mini bar
  75. Choose plastic-free camping equipment
  76. Find DIY remedies, not over-the-counter (such as homemade cough syrup)
  77. Use a handkerchief instead of paper tissue
  78. Avoid buying new plastic clothing (i.e. polyester, acrylic, lycra, spandex, nylon)
  79. Shop at charity shops
  80. Make your own clothes
  81. Look for plastic-free shoes (i.e. Feelgoodz flip flops made from natural rubber)
  82. Alter and modify old clothes into new
  83. Bring your own beverage container to parties and events
  84. Throw a zero waste party (i.e. durable dishes, glasses, utensils)
  85. Rethink your Christmas tree (not artificial trees made from toxic PVC)
  86. Skip holiday plastic trinkets (i.e. plastic crap)
  87. Learn strategies for green gift giving (i.e. go for experiences)
  88. Consider giving charitable gift cards
  89. Request plastic-free gifts for yourself (or ask for donations to charity)
  90. Find ways to wrap gifts without plastic tape
  91. Request zero plastic packaging when ordering online
  92. Get off postal mailing lists to avoid plastic envelope windows
  93. Look for second-hand electronics, games, and toys first
  94. Choose refurbished equipment from certified “e-stewards.”
  95. Take care of what you already have
  96. Avoid buying new CDs and DVDs
  97. Learn to recycle old disks (but ideally just reduce what you buy in the first place)
  98. Choose healthier electronics (i.e. second hand or at least that are built to last)
  99. Find DIY solutions for techno needs (i.e. a knitted iPad cover)
  100. Avoid the worst types of plastic*

*  Polyvinyl Chloride (#3 PVC), Polystyrene (#6 PS), & Polycarbonate (#7 Other). PVC causes a whole host of environmental problems. PS contains styrene, which is toxic to the brain and nervous system. PC contains BPA. If you must use plastic, make sure it’s not #3, #6, or #7 polycarbonate. (Note: #7 is a catch-all for many types of plastic that doesn’t fit into the first six categories. Biodegradable plastic is also labeled #7. So when in doubt, ask. You can read about the problems with PVC and more about BPA.

You can find the full list with a lot of information about each of the 100 steps at My Plastic Free Life.

Here Are Some of the How to Articles I’ve Published To Help You Live a Plastic Free Life:

Here Is What You Can Do

Want to Continue Your Journey?

Where Next?

There is so much inspiring information to give you ideas of how to help climate change by growing, eating, and living sustainably, you can:

  1. Read Our Articles
  2. Sign-Up to Our Free Email Newsletter
  3. Get Started and Vote with Your Money
  4. Try the Sustainability Roadmap
  5. Use the Company Directory
  6. Support Nafford Junction

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  1. Become a Patron to Give Regular Contributions
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Sources Used to Create This

  1. 100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life

Production Notes

This was produced by me, James Walters, as a personal project to help stop climate change by inspiring others to grow, eat, and live sustainably.

Any advice given is the opinion of those involved and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice.

* We include links we think you will find useful. If you buy through those links, we may earn a small commission. It’s one way to support our work and to inspire as many people as possible.