There's something evil lurking in the bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, and pantries of households all across America. Millions of unsuspecting consumers are bringing them into their homes, allowing them around their children, and making them a part of their daily lives.

 

(Cue suspenseful music.)

 

What is this dark force we speak of? Single-use plastics.

 

OK, that might be a bit dramatic, but we have your attention, don't we?

 

In all seriousness, there are lots of sneaky, one-time-use products we regularly use without even thinking about it. Below, we're listing ten examples with easy alternatives to try instead.

 

1.   Shampoos, Shower Gels, and Conditioners:  They take up space, get knocked over, and we spend a lot of time desperately squeezing and shaking to get the product stuck at the bottom of the bottle into our hands.

Try this instead: Switch to bars! There are many great options on the market nowadays; they're not only good for the environment, they typically last longer than the bottled versions, making it better on your pocketbook. And they take up less space AND travel well. Win-win.

 

 

2.   Coffee Cup Lids: While many coffee shops will fill your reusable coffee mug (some even give you a bit of a discount!), there are going to be times you forget to bring it with you, or it's just not an option. Coffee is essential, and we're not about to suggest you skip that cup of caffeinated goodness.

Try this instead: When you can't use a reusable cup, skip the lid! It's one less piece of plastic to throw out and is a super-easy way to cut back on waste.

 

 

3.   Balloon Sticks: Nothing screams party-time like a bunch of brightly-colored balloons. Unfortunately, they also pose a severe risk to seabirds and wreak havoc on marine life - including the plastic straws that often come with them.

Try this instead: If you're going to have balloons, consider swapping out the plastic straws for ones made of bamboo. They typically biodegrade within a few months to a few years - rather than the 400+ years of their plastic counterpart.

 

 

4.   Plastic Cotton Buds: These are another one of those things that seem so tiny and innocuous until you consider how many are being used and disposed of daily. It adds up quickly!

Try this instead: Shop for buds made of pure cotton, or even better - a LastSwab; it's reusable and replaces up to 1,000 single-use swabs. Score another one for your checkbook.

 

 

5.   Floss Picks: You know how we feel about good oral hygiene. But floss picks are one of those one-and-done items that we think you're better off without.

Try this instead: Sorry, we still want you to floss! But try using a Water Pik or regular string floss instead. Either option is less waste, and it still gets the job done.

 

6.   Plastic Wrap: We know plastic wrap can be convenient, but why is it still a thing? It's wasteful and mildly infuriating when trying to keep it from sticking to itself as you wrap up leftovers.

Try this instead: Beeswax wraps and bags are reusable, washable, cost-effective, and, quite frankly, prettier alternatives to traditional plastic wrap. Check them out here at www.shopetee.com.

 

7.   Deodorant: Used by most of us (thank you for that), deodorant is another personal care product that generates a lot of waste over time.

Try this instead: Don't ditch the deodorant, just the plastic. Shop for those that come in paper or aluminum tubes: same effective protection and less landfill space.

 

8.   Pads and Tampons: Here's a statistic that will make your stomach hurt: Approximately 200,000 tons of waste is generated each year from pads, tampons, pantyliners, and their wrappings.

Try this instead: Period underwear. They are washable, reusable, better for you (especially if you use tampons, which can cause toxic shock syndrome), and will contribute to cutting down on waste and cost.

 

9.   Cleaning Products: Many of our favorite cleaning products come with more water and plastic than actual cleaning solutions. Not to mention those bottles are big, bulky, and a terrible space-waster.

Try this instead: Ditch the dilution and get tablets from Blueland. Their "Forever Bottles" will be the last bottle you buy; simply refill with warm water from your kitchen sink, drop a tablet in, and start cleaning!

 

10.   Candies: The sour news about candy is that it generates a LOT of waste. Think about how often you see stray wrappers littering the sidewalks. And post-Halloween? The trash it produces is the terrifying part.

Try this instead: Satisfy your sweet tooth by buying candy in bulk or unwrapped - or better yet, treat yourself to sweet fruits! It's the healthier choice for both you and the earth.

 

 

We hope this provides some inspiration on how easy it is to begin the process of cutting out single-use plastics from your daily lives. Remember, small steps lead to big changes. You have to start somewhere; why not now?

 

What are some other single-use plastics you have used? Tell us below!