Anyone who wants to banish plastic from their lives faces a difficult task, because we encounter it everywhere in everyday life. However, it is often easy to find an environmentally friendly alternative. Nadine Schubert and Anneliese Bunk give simple tips on how plastic can be avoided in many places without much effort.
1. Shopping basket instead of plastic bags
Whether in the supermarket or when buying clothes: Avoid plastic bags! Few or small items can be stored in your handbag. Otherwise there are nice shopping baskets and fabric bags. And after just a few weeks you will remember to always have empty pockets with you.
2. Glass instead of plastic
Water and juices are also available in glass bottles. If you don't want to carry so much weight, you can hire a delivery service. Tap water is cheaper. If you like it sparkling: There are now even drinking water carbonators with glass bottles. Milk, yogurt, ketchup and mustard are also available in jars almost everywhere.
3. Loose instead of packaged
Many foods are available without packaging, especially fruit and vegetables. It's even better if you buy regional products: Since they have short transport routes and hardly any storage times, they are usually not shrink-wrapped in plastic.
4. Soap instead of shower gel
Soaps are available in all qualities and scents. The shorter the list of ingredients, the better the soap is for the skin and the environment.
5. Storage jars instead of plastic containers
Glasses not only look nicer, they are perfect for storing snacks and leftovers. Mason jars and screw-top jars are good for freezing. When filling, leave a finger's breadth of air so that the glass does not shatter.
6. Dispenser box instead of tissues
Some drugstores sell tissues in a box made from recycled paper. The lip through which the wipes are removed is also made of paper. Conventional tissues in the box use a plastic lip. A pack contains 100 wipes and costs less than one euro.
7. Coconut oil instead of wet wipes
A jar of coconut oil replaces baby wipes, makeup remover and damp toilet paper. Apply toilet paper or tissue to the solid oil and wipe over the area to be cleaned. Coconut oil disinfects and nourishes the skin.
8. Soda instead of toilet cleaner
Soda powder is ideal as a toilet cleaner. Sprinkle in the powder and scrub with a toilet brush after 15 to 20 minutes. The longer the exposure time, the greater the cleaning effect. Soda also binds acids in wastewater. It is available in paper packaging, which is however coated with plastic on the inside to protect the product from moisture. The bag will still be disposed of in waste paper.
