We've been cutting down on plastic for years at home, for lots of reasons. Making plastic produces tons of harmful byproducts (and often consumes fossil fuels). Plastic sits in landfills for a looooong time, taking up space and leaching harmful chemicals. Many plastics leach BPA, pthalates, dioxin, and other harmful chemicals into their contents. So, when we're trying to be healthy but using water bottles that emit BPA into their contents, we're hydrating with water that can disrupt our hormones or cause cancer.
For more details about how plastics impact your life, do a quick google search or visit one of my favorites, Green America. Until then, here are some quick tips of how to decrease plastic in your life.
-"4,5,1, and 2. All the rest are bad for you!" When shopping for plastic products or anything sold in plastic, flip the container over an check the number on the bottom. Stick to the numbers listed. Watch out, because favorites (such as yogurt) often come in 6 or 7. Some companies, like Stonyfield Farm, are developing safer packaging.
-Think twice before you buy. Do you really need it? Do you have something at home that could work just as well?
-Use reusable canvas shopping bags instead of plastic bags from the store. Bring your own cloth bags for bulk purchases or produce. You can find cute ones at Etsy and Fair Indigo.
-In the kitchen, try glass or ceramic instead of plastic as often as possible. Don't use plastic in the microwave!
-Recycle the plastic you do have! Your disposable food savers could become a picnic table or sports equipment.
We love Preserve plastics. Everything is recycled--and they will take your #5 yogurt cups that are hard to recycle elsewhere. The plastics are BPA and pthalate free. Plus, the colors are great and the products are cute! It's much more fun to store my leftover soup in an apple green, screw-top food saver that I know is safe for me and had a minimal impact on the environment.
What does your family do to minimize plastic use at home? 
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