We all know about reusable water bottles, grocery bags, and straws, but what about alternatives for all of the other plastic in our lives. Think dental floss, groceries wrapped in plastic, household cleaners, lotion, etc. Plastic is so pervasive in our lives that it’s hard to comprehend. It can be completely unrecognizable even. For example, the plastic microfiber that is used to create much of our clothing or plastic flooring, decking, and furniture that’s made to look like wood. Of course, there’s an inherent difference between single-use plastic and durable plastic, but it all has a toll and even durable plastic can degrade and leach microplastics into our food supplies, waterways, and ecosystems.

Consider these plastic facts to help you comprehend the scale of the problem. More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are in our oceans. World plastic production has increased exponentially from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 162 million in 1993 to 448 million by 2015. Only 9% of the plastic ever created has been recycled, the rest of it is either incinerated (which releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere) or ends up in a landfill or littered throughout the environment. The Tennessee River has one of the highest concentrations of microplastics in the world. And even when plastic is recycled it is often downcycled into a form that cannot, in turn, be recycled at the end of its life.

So now that we’ve had a look at some of these depressing plastic statistics, let’s consider some alternatives to much of the plastic in our lives.

Dental floss

Dental floss is an extremely pervasive plastic product in our lives that is not easily recycled and even the floss itself is made of materials that don’t easily break down once thrown out. First of all, please stop using those single-use dental flossers. You know the ones that have a small strand of floss attached to a large plastic handle? Yeah, those are bad.

There are many alternatives on the market to standard dental floss that easily allow most people to reduce their plastic consumption. These alternatives usually allow you to simply refill your dental floss container with biodegradable floss. There are many options at sites such as the Package Free Shop or there’s a new service here in Knoxville called KnoxFill, which is Knoxville’s first zero-waste refillery. They have many alternatives to the products we’ll be talking about today, so check them out and support a local business!

Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

Toothbrushes and toothpaste, much like dental floss, are a huge plastic sink for us. Neither of these items is traditionally recyclable, which means they often end up in landfills. Luckily, there are many many alternatives to both on the market now, and even some companies, like Tom’s of Maine, are working to make their products recyclable in in-home recycling bins.

One of the best alternatives to toothbrushes on the market are bamboo toothbrushes, which are 100% biodegradable and can be composted at the end of their life. You can also look for toothbrushes that have been made from 100% recycled materials and can be re-recycled through special programs, but they require a little more effort on your part. The only issue with these types of toothbrushes is that the nylon bristles cannot be recycled and are made from plastic, but it’s a lot less plastic than a traditional toothbrush.

Many companies now offer refillable toothpaste or offer metal toothpaste tube alternatives that are actually very recyclable at the end of their lives. Package Free and KnoxFill carry many of these alternatives on their site, so you can try a few different options and find your favorite.

Additionally, Tom’s of Maine has created the first of its kind recyclable toothpaste tube. The tube has been designed to be recycled with #2 HDPE plastic, which is one of the most recyclable types of plastic on the market. Plus, it can be tossed into your home recycling bin! Obviously, this doesn’t reduce the amount of new plastic being made, but at least it doesn’t have to go to the landfill.

Before we move on, here at Keep Knoxville Beautiful we actually collect all types of oral care products and packaging for recycling. We have a collection bin outside our office which can be used for toothpaste, floss, toothbrushes, and relevant packaging, which we then send to TerraCycle who turns the plastic from these products into something usable. If you haven’t been able to make the switch to a plastic alternative yet and hate throwing out all your oral care products feel free to bring them to us!

Body Care Products

Items like shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotion, and deodorant usually come in packaging that can be easily recycled, but there are much better plastic alternatives on the market that will help us reduce our overall dependence on plastic. A company like KnoxFill is great to use for these products because they will provide you with a refillable bottle and will refill said bottles for you. There are other companies, as well, such as Plaine Products, which offer similar services and even include products like hand sanitizer and face wash.

Additionally, if refillable is not the route you’d like to go, there are a lot of bar alternatives to shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Consider switching to a shampoo and conditioner bar - it might take a few weeks to get used to, but once you do you won’t go back!

Plastic Wrap, Sandwich Bags, etc.

We all know how messy and wasteful plastic wrap and sandwich bags can be. One of the best ways to reduce your dependence on these food wrap items is to simply use your existing Tupperware collection instead. If you don’t have a large Tupperware collection or are missing lids, consider growing your collection with glass Tupperware instead of plastic. This will reduce the demand for new plastic and is also safer to use for reheating any leftovers.

There are also food wrap alternatives on the market such as beeswax food wrappers - they essentially work the same as plastic wrap. Just cover the bowl, plate, or cup of food you want to store and you’re done! There are also reusable sandwich bag products that are great if you don’t want to deal with the bulk of Tupperware. Check out some of the variety of reusable sandwich bag products here and find one that works best for you!

Household Cleaning Products

Like body care products, more and more companies are starting to offer zero waste alternatives to household cleaners, like refillable cleaning solution bottles or even bar dish soap. Check out KnoxFill to see some examples. You can also reuse your old household cleaning product packaging and simply make your own cleaners. There are a lot of DIY options online now that often include the use of vinegar and can save you money.

Clothes

Shop for sustainable, ethically sourced clothing if you’re going to buy new and always buy clothes that are made from natural fibers instead of synthetic (e.g. rayon, nylon, polyester, acrylic, etc.). However, the best option for new clothes is always to buy used from thrift stores or upcycle your old clothes with a tailor or a bit of cutting/ sewing work.

For any clothes in your wardrobe that are made from synthetic fibers, consider using one of these great products that help to catch the microplastics that get washed out of your clothes in the washer and dryer. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, every time we do laundry tiny bits of microfiber break loose and wash out with the wastewater.

These are all the plastic alternatives that we’ll cover today but expect to see future posts like this one, as there are so many ways to reduce your plastic dependence that we can’t even fit it all in one. Now get out there and reduce your plastic!

Plastic Alternatives for the Eco-Conscious Individual