Category: Plastic

Plant-based sponges

10/3/2026

Plant-based sponges are now widely available, even some of the bright pink rectangular kind. It’s easy to avoid ones made of plastic.

Most sponges on the market are currently made of plastic but recently I discovered at Target, on the back of a package of bright pink Scotch-Brite sponges, the words “made of 100% plant-based fibers.” In addition to being safer, plant-based sponges last longer, reduce bacterial growth and odor, and are fully compostable.

Read more here:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260601025356.htm
https://zerowastestore.com/blogs/sustainable-living/reasons-to-switch-to-biodegradable-kitchen-sponges

Microfiber cloths shed plastic

8/7/2026

Microfiber cleaning cloths are made from plastic. Cotton, linen, and hemp are good alternatives that don’t contribute to microplastic pollution.

If you already have microfiber cloths, use them up. Make more cleaning cloths out of old cotton tee shirts and such—when those are too ratty, they can be composted.

Read more at wellnessmama.com

Toxic chemicals in old toys

7/31/2026

Throw out any plastic toys manufactured before 2009, the year phthalate chemicals were banned.
In 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) went into effect. Before that, the U.S. didn’t restrict phthalate chemicals or heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, in consumer products, including toys.

Read more at momscleanairforce.org

Plastic plant pots are not recyclable curbside

3/27/2026

Don’t recycle black plastic garden plug trays. They can’t be identified by the sorting technology at most recycling centers even with a recyclable code because the dark color absorbs the scanner’s light.
Even if a recycling center could sort them, they would need to be cleaned of leftover soil and roots, which is not practical for curbside programs. You can reuse them or take them to Home Depot for reuse, however, and look for the many compostable alternatives out there.

Read more at earth911

Most gift cards make waste by not being recyclable

1/23/2026

Gift cards are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and should be thrown in the trash, not in the recycling, except for paper gift cards.

In the United States alone, 50,700 tons of plastic waste are generated yearly from gift cards. Best Buy converted to paper gift cards in 2021 and other companies are following suit, fortunately. Digital gift cards are another plastic-free option.

Read more at Earth911

Photo by Mike Mozart, Flickr

Avoid plastic baby bottles

1/16/2026

Microplastic risks are greatest for infants. Avoid them in baby bottles by using glass or steel.

Since 1950, more than 11 billion tons of plastic have been produced. Plastic shards and particles are found almost everywhere on the planet. But you can take steps to keep them away from your baby during the critical early years of development. Glass or stainless steel baby bottles don’t shed microplastics. Silicone sleeves can protect glass bottles from breaking.

Read more here from Earth911

Plan ahead to reduce single-use plastics

7/4/2025

Since 2011, the Plastic Free July movement encourages us to build new habits, such as carrying a kit for leftovers when we go out.
Americans go through five pounds of plastic a week. The Plastic Free July movement was founded in 2011 aiming to engage people to reduce single-use plastic use as well as push for systemic change. Reducing plastic use requires more planning and the changes that stick are the ones that work with your current lifestyle.
Photo by Susan O'Donnell
Read more at NPR.org

Drink filtered water rather than bottled

3/7/2025

Getting a water filter pitcher instead of buying bottled water will save you money and reduce plastic waste.

Investing in a water filter pitcher or some other at-home water filtration system eliminates your production of plastic bottle waste and saves you money. Much of the cost of bottled water is from packaging, shipping, and marketing. In most places, municipal water is perfectly safe to drink, and the water filter can improve its taste. The pitcher can be stored in the refrigerator so that you have cold water to drink, and reusable water bottles make that water portable without the plastic. The Swarthmore Food Co-op has a box for recycling used Brita brand filters, packaging, and pitchers.

Read more at HowStuffWorks.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Buy bamboo toothbrushes

1/24/2025

Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and manufactured from a renewable resource.

Reduce the plastic in your life by purchasing toothbrushes made with a bamboo handle. Bamboo is biodegradable and has antimicrobial properties, making it just as sturdy as plastic but more sustainable. As an added sustainable bonus, many companies that make bamboo brushes also package them in a recyclable paperboard box. Before disposing of your bamboo toothbrush, check the packaging to determine if the bristles are nylon. If they are, pull them out with pliers and throw them away. The empty handle can then be added to commercial compost bins. In our area, bamboo toothbrushes are available at Martindale’s in Springfield.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Remove makeup without disposable wipes

12/13/2024

A pea-sized dollop of coconut oil will remove eye makeup brilliantly. Beware disposable makeup wipes as they are made from plastic fibers which become microplastics.

Warm a pea-sized dollop of coconut oil in your palms and gently massage it in the eye area with your fingertips. Disposable makeup wipes are one of the leading contributors to landfills and generally made with plastic which breaks down into smaller plastic particles that pollute our waterways.

Read more about this issue at thegoodboutique.com and more skin care recipes at Earth911.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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