Truth: there's a decent about of waste created in our home -- and it's not something we are proud of. We've been using glass containers and reusable water bottles, and now straws, for a while now, but when evaluating unnecessary packaging to food wrapping, we know we can do better. There are so many silly, mindless uses for plastic and throw-away material, there had to be a better option -- and there is.
I took some time to research a few ways our home can start to be more aware of our waste and eliminate single-use plastic. Of course, sometimes, it won't always be possible, but if we make an effort to be mindful about the plastic we're using and consuming, perhaps our kids will also take notice. And with our Canadian government aiming to eliminate harmful single-use plastic by 2021, I think it's a good idea to get a headstart.
Note: this post contains affiliate links, but this is not a sponsored post.
Plastic Wrap
Truthfully, we don't go through a lot of plastic wrap -- I think we're still using the same jumbo roll we bought when we got married. But it does annoy me to wrap a small piece of onion, or half a fruit or melon. And while we could use and re-use plastic sealable bags, I'm also trying to reduce those as well. So I discovered these silicone food-grade wrappers on Amazon. They stretch over fruit and hold the freshness inside. When you're done using them, you can wash and then re-use. No crumbled plastic wrap for the trash.
In terms of ease, you can't get much easier.
If you still like the idea of a wrap, though, I also purchased Beeswax Food Wrap, which is not only Made in Canada, but it's natural and reusable. The wrap just sticks onto the food, and when you're done, you wash it (by hand) and re-use. These are slightly pricey, but I've read that they last a long while, so the money is well-spent, plus, no more plastic in the trash.
Produce Bags
Produce bags annoy me. Firstly, you can never get them open. They rip, they don't fit a lot, and let's not forget how wasteful they are. For decades, we've been using plastic bags when we do our grocery shopping, and I think as consumers, we've become complacent. We just pull and fill. Sure, you can re-use those bags, but most of mine end up right in the trash. I haven't received a straight answer if they're recyclable, either.
Plus, we've been using grocery boxes instead of grocery bags for years, so, I thought it was time to purchase some reusable mesh produce bags, too.
There are many produce bags on the market -- these ones happen to be a poly blend mesh with a drawstring. They came in a pack with different sizes. But if you prefer bamboo or cotton (this may have been a better choice), there are those options too.
Doing grocery shopping with these bags was super easy, too. You can wash and store the bags with the produce, and because they are mesh, they are breathable. The bags are also slightly transparent, so the cashier can read the product labels. There is really no difference, save for having to bring them from home. Big deal. I can't believe we didn't do this sooner.
All in all, I'm proud of these three little changes -- and if it helps our environment and keeps us mindful of the waste we produce, we have succeeded.
How do you eliminate plastic in your home?
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