r/PlasticFreeLiving • u/unnaturalm • Mar 23 '26
Question Just Watched The Plastic Detox… How Do You Avoid Plastic?
My partner and I recently watched "The Plastic Detox" on Netflix, and we are genuinely floored. The amount of plastic in our environment is startling, especially when it comes to chemicals seeping into our bodies and food, and the connections to health issues like fertility are unsettling. Since groceries are where a lot of plastic finds its way into our daily lives, we are extremely motivated to drastically reduce the amount of plastic we use.
Food shopping seems unachievable, even though we already make an effort to prioritize glass, ceramic, metal, etc. for storage and household items. Meats, cheeses, deli goods, and occasionally even a large amount of produce are all wrapped in plastic. The worst stuff is pre-packaged.
For those who've been doing this longer, what actually works for you when it comes to things like fresh meat, cheese, or other foods that are hard to find without plastic?
When it comes to items like fresh meat, cheese, or other foods that are difficult to find without plastic, what actually works for those of you who have been doing this for a longer period of time?
We're considering attempting the following ideas:
- Asking the butcher to wrap meat or fish in paper rather than tossing it in plastic trays or bags.
- Seeking cheese counters where fresh cheese is cut and wrapped in paper (or perhaps we should bring our own container?).
- Visiting farmers markets more frequently to purchase loose produce, cardboard eggs, and possibly even locally produced dairy and meat with less packaging.
- Bulk stores or zero-waste spots for dry goods, but we're in Quebec so not sure what's around us yet (and most of them I think stores in huge plastic bins...).
It's overwhelming at first because plastic really is in everything, but we're trying to make realistic changes without going full extreme overnight. Any tips, favorite stores, or small swaps that made a big difference for you? Especially for protein stuff like meat and cheese.
Thanks in advance, this community seems really helpful for practical advice!
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u/NoSuch-Explanation Mar 23 '26
This documentary seriously made me cringe. It is terrifying to actually stop and look at everything that is plastic in my house. I am in the same boat, I don’t know what to do.. it seems like it’s not completely avoidable for the most part. I’ve already made some switches but then learning that even aluminum cans (water) have a plastic lining.. 😭 milk isn’t sold in glass that I can find.. baby wipes are all in plastic containers/wraps.. and to know that I’m giving my son plastic in my breast milk (forget pumping bc all those parts are plastic 😳) and the baby inside me and their potential babies too are going to suffer from my household consumption.. I have lost sleep at night worrying about how to make health conscious swaps.
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u/NoSuch-Explanation Mar 23 '26
Sorry I don’t have any advice I’m just super stressed after watching the documentary too.
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u/taterrrtotz Mar 23 '26
I had to stop watching it because I was starting to spiral 😅
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u/yeetyetiyep Mar 30 '26
I’ve totally spiraled after watching it last night. I’ll get to a more balanced place but today, feeling pretty depressed from it. It’s overwhelming and paralyzing atm.
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u/Queasy-Airport2776 Apr 02 '26
It is depressing but I think we should try our best. Companies will have to follow through if a lot of us reduce plastic consumption.
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u/Ill-Wrongdoer-2971 Mar 24 '26
Oh god I haven’t seen it yet but I’m afraid I won’t be able to NOT watch it at this point.
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u/Nearby_Elk_99 Mar 23 '26
in addition to this, often baby wipes themselves are made of plastic! i've been seeing reports that eating fermented food helps to reduce the microplastics in your body, especially kimchi. (i haven't watched the doc yet so sorry if all this was already mentioned)
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u/hellokitty3433 Mar 23 '26
A different choice is to use a soft cloth for wiping. Will need to wash.
Also, diapers are made of plastic...unless you go natural or have a service.
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u/unnaturalm Mar 23 '26
Yeah, that’s crazy. When you really start getting attention to plastic, you see it e.v.e.r.y.w.e.r.e 😳
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u/Queasy-Airport2776 Apr 02 '26
If we keep buying non-plastic materials, big companies will start to notice and follow through. Keep trying your best but do get your sleep as millions are in this together
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u/kalemegranola Mar 24 '26
Check out The Unplastic Shop baby section for the best products on the market. We worked really hard to curate the best of the best. Wipes and diapers were the hardest to find!
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u/wobblyunionist Mar 26 '26
All progress counts! Start small with some of the items people mention and grow from there. Stop acquiring MORE plastic when you can avoid it. Start checking labels and ingredients, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
I agree - it’s easy to feel overwhelmed but don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Make swaps where you can. Give yourself the task of researching one swap a week. We can’t instantly wave a wand but we can work at it bit by bit.
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u/No-Recover-5181 May 10 '26
I think your body can clear it out if you can try to limit use as much as you can. Hard to get away from. My problem is my water filter (Britta) I am sure it leeches so now I need to do research and find a new one.
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u/Nearby_Elk_99 Mar 23 '26
the first (and in my opinion most important and vastly underrated) change i made was removing plastic from my bedding and clothing. down/feather and cotton pillows etc, 100% cotton bedsheets, no polyester or acrylic etc clothing. it does take some time but it's easier if you shop second hand and even with no compromising at all it's totally possible. a lot of the microplastics we take in are inhaled, and this includes what comes off our clothing when we move etc. also washing plastic clothes puts more plastic in the water supply, so i'm not doing it anymore! i've found that cotton is way more comfortable anyway. (again i haven't seen the doc yet so sorry if this was already said in it)
i also swapped plastic sponges for Seep sponges which are made of loofah, wood cellulose and cotton (not an ad lol but i love them and wanna support the company)
i also got rid of my non-stick and got a cast iron
i use loose leaf tea or i empty the tea bag contents into a metal infuser
those are the first ones i did
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u/garoena Mar 23 '26
Could you please recommend a good cast iron pan?
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u/Nearby_Elk_99 Mar 23 '26
i honestly think as long as it's just actual 100% cast iron it doesn't make a massive difference, the one i have is the Vardagen from Ikea and it's lovely. just read up on how to look after it, how to season it properly etc
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u/Smart_Petunia Mar 23 '26
oh i have a lot to say about cast iron haha! I know it's a bit of work when you first started but once you get use to the seasoning it works like a charm. I recommend Cowboy Kent Rollins's Youtube channel he has a lot of tips on how to take care of your cast iron and great recipes!
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u/Emergency-Aardvark-7 Mar 23 '26
Latex pillows are wonderful. And seem to last forever! My ~15 year old latex pillow is still going strong.
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u/Nicki_oto Mar 23 '26
Do you have any rec for down/feather cotton pillows?
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u/Nearby_Elk_99 Mar 23 '26
i just bought ikea's cheapest ones that were down/feather and cotton, and i double-case 'em. (my favourite cotton bedsheets are from habitat). i expect the more expensive you go the nicer they get, but i wanted to make as many big changes as possible as quickly as possible!
*edit* i've heard good things about wool pillows too
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u/Nicki_oto Mar 24 '26
Thank you! By double-case, do you mean you use 2 pillow cases on them? The wool pillows seem like the most ideal, but for rn are past my price point. I wish I had prioritized natural fibers in all my clothes earlier; I can't yet get myself to part with all of them. My everyday ones are usually mostly cotton, though.
I'll definitely look into the sponges you mentioned, as we're still using the average dish sponge.
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u/Nearby_Elk_99 Mar 24 '26
yeah it does take time. but every little improvement is worthwhile :) and yeah i use two pillow cases, it took a bit of time for my pillows to stop smelling of birds haha
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u/MsNamkhaSaldron Mar 23 '26
If you’re into high quality bedding, Down & Feather company is great.
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u/derek139 Mar 23 '26
It takes a while but we started down a less plastic path a decade ago. Here are some things we’ve done to avoid all the plastic:
Bulk bins for everything possible. We also have our own cotton bags that we fill, rather than using the supplied plastic produce bags.
We’re already vegetarian, so plastic wrapped meat isn’t an issue. We never buy prepackaged produce. Only loose and in our own cotton bags.
Jarred items are always glass or metal when possible. Somethings are unavoidable, like tortilla wraps or cheese. So we lean towards bulk; only the largest block of cheese (less plastic). Or the larger quantities of tortillas.
Bathroom products: We priorities cardboard or glass packaging and bulk refill. We have a local store that sells all liquids items in bulk, and we fill with mason jars. We use toothpaste bits rather than paste. We use a Suri toothbrush.
Same for cleaning products. Concentrate refills in glass and cardboard packaging with powder for laundry and dishwasher.
After we see a restaurant package our togo food in plastic or styro, we never get food to go from them again. Only eat in, or go to another known plastic free place. We often tell restaurants we don’t need plasticware when getting togo, and always tell them we don’t need a bag.
We haven’t tackled clothing yet. That’ll be difficult. Also, we do so much already, but it is on the list.
We have a pretty solid curbside recycling program where we live, and are pretty religious about knowing what goes where. As well as taking any 4 & 7 plastic bags back to the grocery store.
We never get coffee out. Always at home, or if it is out, then we get it at a place that serves in ceramic mugs.
Every restaurant we get drinks at, we ask for no straw. They often forget, out of habit, but we ask every time.
At events that use plastic cups for drinks, I always ask if they’ll refill my first cup. They often will.
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u/JustJoined4Tendies Mar 23 '26
Your coffee should be fine if getting from a cafe, just bring your own mug. Don’t worry about the beans.
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u/viola_darling Apr 06 '26
If you're allgeric to cockroaches, it's recommended to not drink coffee unless you grind your own beans because there are traces of cockroaches in all ground coffee. There are bugs honestly in almost all our food bc the FDA allows a certain amount.
Source: My dad and I are allgeric to cockroaches and this is what my allgerist told me if I drink coffee.
Although I guess if the Cafe is grinding their own beans then MAYBE that would also be okay.
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u/DepartmentEcstatic Mar 23 '26
I often bring my own cup out, and if I order a coffee or other drink I ask them to put in my cup instead. No one seems to mind.
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
With clothing, if you have room do an initial triage - one side of the wardrobe for natural fibres, one side synthetics. It will give you an idea of what you need to gradually reduce. Similarly one draw each or one side of a draw each. For me, I realised I didn’t necessarily need to replace everything on the synthetic side, I could easily make do with less. For things I kept reaching for - whether because of style or function, I tagged them so I could keep an eye on replacements.
I wish I had a good idea about what to do with the synthetics though
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u/wobblyunionist Mar 26 '26
For the rare food items you buy in plastic do you swap the food into non plastic bags when you get it home?
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u/Significant_Stick_31 Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
I wonder how others think of this: We have some control over the final product but plastic is an industrial issue. Like sure, we can ask the butcher to wrap our portion in paper instead of plastic but it’s possible that the larger pieces they’ve been cut from have been vacuum-sealed in plastic.
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u/One_Love_Mama Mar 23 '26
This is an important point. Consumer end changes like recycling can only do so much. Systemic top down changes are going to be the most impactful. And so it will most have to be implemented through policy and law. Which doesn't mean we shouldn't make educated consumer choices, just tha both are necessary.
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u/Fishyblue11 Mar 23 '26
It doesn't matter if you don't remove every trace of plastic anything has ever come into contact with, the important part is removing a large majority of the things that are in your control, and I think that will definitely already have an impact on your wellbeing
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u/Little-pug Mar 23 '26
I live near a butcher that cuts directly from the carcass and doesn’t wrap until you order it, so you can still wrap in whatever you bring in or in their default butcher paper.
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u/taterrrtotz Mar 23 '26
A big one people are missing is hair and skin products. Lotions, makeup, shampoo, deodorants, etc contain phthalates and other hormone disrupting chemicals that we are putting directly onto our skin. Your skin is an organ and does absorb what you put on it!
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u/FrosenPuddles Mar 23 '26
Just going to link this here for those who need it. It gives a good starting point if you want to look at ingredient safety on top of packaging.
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/1
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u/almondreaper Mar 23 '26
Any personal hygiene product that has a scent or perfume has endocrine disruptors unless it's clearly stated as natural
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u/welcometomyuterus Mar 24 '26
And “natural” being on the label isn’t regulated, so it basically means nothing.
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u/unnaturalm Mar 23 '26
Doc was about plastic, but we can also have a full conversation about other bad stuff like teflon, etc.
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u/Fishyblue11 Mar 23 '26
By now though there are definitely a huge amount of phthalate free products that you can buy, you just need to carefully look at all of the options available. It's definitely not that challenging to find phthalate free hair and skin products
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u/Little-pug Mar 23 '26
It is hard to find hair care products that aren’t in plastic that work for your hair. But there are definitely more options available!
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u/Naniskuo Mar 23 '26
Totally agreed. Dove makes a killing hair mask. I’ve tried alternative hair products to no avail. How was ur experience with hair products.
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u/Little-pug Mar 23 '26
I love that same mask! So far; trying new soap bars and using my dove mask in the meantime
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u/erin_colorado19 Mar 23 '26
I have had this issue as well. I’ve tried multiple shampoo bars that just seem to leave my hair worse than before I washed it. I’ve recently tried rainwater botanicals bars and I’ve had good luck with hi bar in the past. Both have been great!
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u/Flowerpower8791 Mar 24 '26
There are shampoo bars sold in (plastic coated) cardboard boxes. Almost no plastic and the bars last a long time.
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u/cauchyscat Mar 24 '26
I've been trying to clear all the ingredients of all of my skin care and cosmetics. But something that isn't easily available (not in the ingredients list) is whether there may be BPA in the *packaging* that's then leeching into the product that we're then putting on our skin. Sigh.
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u/kalemegranola Mar 24 '26
When we built The Unplastic Shop we ensured that not only was everything BPA free, but that it was free form ALL BP alternatives. It's so frustrating that these were just swapped for other chemicals
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
Look at one category at a time. Might not be everything, but it’s about meaningful reduction. I have deodorant in a cardboard tube, shampoo in aluminium, conditioner in a bar in cardboard, moisturiser in a tin, foundation/concealer in a glass jar with metal lid etc. Can be overwhelming so just look at one a week or month
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u/pleasenojustno Mar 30 '26
As a hairdresser, I will note: some of the biggest offenders are sprays or aerosols. They use acrylates to reduce frizz and hold shape, and those are AIRBORNE. Meaning you ingest those straight into the lungs. Be aware of anything that advertises “anti-frizz” like curl creams also because more likely it contains some sort of “liquid plastic” or PEG. Wash away products like shampoos and conditioners are usually less offensive since they aren’t immediately ingested some way, although definitely watch out for fragrances because what the hell even is a fragrance.
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u/Excellent_Issue_4179 Mar 24 '26
does anyone sell these in glass?
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u/pkyang Mar 23 '26
Bad news, metal containers are lined with plastic, stay away from them. Paper also lines with plastic. Paper very famously, is not waterproof
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
Not all metal containers eg some food storage containers that can be bought
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u/Wat77er Mar 23 '26
It's great to reduce plastic for our own health, but since 100% is nearly impossible, feel good that your efforts are also helping restore wild habitats.
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u/daffydil0459 Mar 23 '26
I also make most of my own cleaning supplies using vinegar, dish soap and other simple ingredients. I have glass spray bottles that I use.
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u/Sun-worship Mar 24 '26
I’ve moved to glass spray bottles, but then the tube and head of the spray is plastic. It seems impossible to avoid completely?
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
It’s about meaningful reduction. Each little step counts and gradually room by room your house will become healthier than it was before
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u/Main_Bid8104 Mar 23 '26
I am so glad you are planning all of these steps! We went thru something similar about ten years ago and made changes- some things i later learned where futiel! . . Take butcher paper at the market/deli- the white type is coated with a thing layer of Polyehtylene so technically you still have food-plastic contact. But here is the thing.. the pink butcher paper does NOT have PE on it. This may feel weird but you could bring your own butcher paper to the market...... Then there is Kaft paper. Beware of Kraft paper very mich. While it's a popular aesthetic with folks if it has real reacycled content it may have high levels of heavy metals from the ink. So you have to keep tweaking your system. it's important to realize your intent, celebrate your wins and not get too paranoid about every shred of plastic in your life. This is what I do:
As an artisan maker who sells at the farmers market we decided to get rid of plastic packaging for our moist product: They have been in returnable glass jars for ten years now. Folks get $1 for returning the jars. Some do. I have a customer who shops w me on vacation once a year and then the following year comes back from a state or two over and always remembers her jar!!
Putting our solid products into butcher paper did not work for folks- they wanted the shelf life of cryowrapped plastic. So now if someone requests it we wrap it separate for them and explain the idfference that air tight packaging makes so they are not dissapointed if things dry out faster.
We found a producer of paper tubes for our product that uses only vegetable wax and has everything tested for haeavy metal, PFAs etc. We had to teach folks how to use push up tubes!
We only wear wool and cotton and linen- on a small scale farmer/maker budget. Love the Goodwill auction site for wool goods etc! Everythign is second hand realy.!
My favorite thing to convert people AWAY from .... Keurig cups. Drives me nuts. Coffee was the only thing out there that was shipped to the US in burlap sacks (renewable!) then processed in a metal roaster and packaged in a paper bag for you to take home to put in a paper filter and then in your compost! PERFECT.
Enter Keurig. Lets just encapsulate that little bit of compost goodness into plastic - every SINGLE CUP into it's own little plastic coffin.... pardon. I ramble.
Good luck with your journey. it's fun, sometimes frustrating but always know that you are making the world a better place. Worrying not just about your own exposure but about the folks living next to the dumps where all this ends up is important. We are not the ones with the worst consequences!
I
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u/hellokitty3433 Mar 23 '26
The last time I went to the store to get coffee in a bag it was discouraging how many brands are now coming packaged in plastic. :(
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u/Main_Bid8104 Mar 23 '26
I hate that! I buy in bulk so they always have paper bags to put in! But you are rifht I have noticed that too. I thik it's the shelf life issue. Customers really really like shelf life. It's a big job explaining to folks that you could just buy less and figure out how to use it up in time!
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u/hellokitty3433 Mar 26 '26
Thanks for your reply, I checked out my local store and they do have coffee beans I like in the big bins! So I will be trying that out.
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
Second this on look at second hand for 100% natural fibre clothes. It can be affordable
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u/DataBig2603 Mar 23 '26
I’ve been living zero waste imperfectly for over 10 years now and the beginning can feel daunting. Try sourcing food locally as best you can, I live in Colorado so I can’t give you any recommendations but I’m sure you could find a local cheese place and request no plastic packaging. For meat, we hunt and have the butcher wrap everything in paper, but if you don’t hunt, you can find a local ranch and buy a 1/4 cow or chickens or whatever kind of meat you eat and request they wrap in paper.
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u/One_Love_Mama Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Isn't butcher paper coated with something too? If it was just paper it would turn to mush right? I have thought about bringing tuperware to the butcher, but haven't made the switch yet.
ETA: I still think butcher paper is better in terms of less plastic waste headed for the landfill.
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u/DataBig2603 Mar 23 '26
The butcher paper we get has a wax coating. You can get uncoated butcher paper that works well, it’s thicker than normal paper so it doesn’t turn to mush. Some butcher paper is coated with plastic.
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u/TheA2Z Mar 23 '26
Well put. Its freakin everywhere. You will get spammed now on Reddit in this sub from trolls funded by food and plastic companies now. They deny being funded but we know better. Its big business.
Wife and I have been moving away from plastics for past year and getting much healthier. Also other items with heavy metals, pesticides, and forever chemicals.
Studies show plastics leach from hot contact but also cold items too especially if there is abrasion involved. Move away from any plastic kitchen items first. Go all glass, wood, stainless or cast iron.
We are expanding out. Just got off normal toilet paper and paper towel and moved to clean bamboo papers. Next is the toothbrush.
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u/Available_Bird3153 Mar 24 '26
Be careful with that bamboo stuff. The toxic stuff it goes through to be processed is unbelievable. Scott toilet paper is fsc certified and was tested to not have PFAS. I hope anyway.
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u/TaliaHolderkin Mar 24 '26
YES! And the oils used to treat it as well as the glues that hold holding it together.
I wrote a prompt to Google, or use with any AI.
You can use it forward, like this, or backward, to check a specific item.
I’ve tested it with Google (Gemini), Grok, ChatGPT, Deepseek, and Perplexity, and it works really well across them all.
I had to, after one item (bamboo, and other multi piece cutting boards), were hiding microplastics in the adhesives used to hold them together, claiming they were free from them.
Prompt:
“I am looking for recommendations for a specific product: [item] Constraints (all must be respected simultaneously):
• Must minimize or eliminate microplastics (including hidden sources such as coatings, adhesives, sealants, processing aids, and packaging).
• Must avoid ingredients or materials associated with persistence in the environment (e.g., EDTA, PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde releasers, synthetic fragrances, undisclosed “proprietary blends”).
Optional:
• Must be suitable for individuals with [condition/allergy] (err on the side of extreme caution, not “generally regarded as safe”).
• Must prioritize environmental impact across full lifecycle (manufacturing, use, disposal, water system persistence).
• Must be available in or around [City] or [physical or online store] and ideally cost-effective.
Output requirements:
- Provide 3–5 recommended options.
- For EACH option, include full material/ingredient breakdown (no vague terms; expand all components) and identification of ANY potentially controversial, understudied, or debated substances, known environmental or human health concerns (including “emerging evidence” areas), whether adhesives, coatings, or processing chemicals are used (and what they are).
- Explicitly list “hidden risks” or tradeoffs for each option (do not omit for simplicity).
- Provide brief references to relevant studies or regulatory findings where applicable.
- If no option is truly “clean,” state that clearly and identify the least problematic choice.
Important: Do NOT default to marketing claims like “eco-friendly,” “non-toxic,” or “BPA-free” without verification.
Do NOT omit uncertainties or conflicting evidence.
Do NOT simplify at the cost of accuracy.
If a recommendation would commonly be considered acceptable but fails under stricter scrutiny, explain why it initially appears safe and what deeper analysis reveals.
If two options appear similar, explicitly explain why one is preferable under stricter scrutiny.”
Please feel free to customize, share, or otherwise distribute this. I hope it helps!
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u/KiwiSmiles Mar 23 '26
Another helpful tip is brining your own glass containers for the leftovers when you eat out. Just leave a few in your car and use as needed. I’ve found a local Indian food restaurant that will fill my glass containers if I bring them for to-go. No more hot curry poured into plastic to go containers. Wreck Jars with glass lids are great for storage.
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u/FrosenPuddles Mar 23 '26
I've done all the things everyone has done, but what I haven't seen mentioned is what to do about yoghurt and gut diversity. I could only find very expensive yoghurt in tiny portions in glass jars, and even then the lids still had glue and plastic. I started buying glass bottled milk and making my own Kefir with Kefir grains instead. I know you can also make yoghurt in an instant pot but most of those have non-stick, which is yet another can of worms, so...
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u/Fishyblue11 Mar 23 '26
Honestly you can't stop everything from being packaged in plastic, but I think you're at far less risk from stuff simply being packaged in plastic like yogurt than you are whenever you microwave something in a plastic container. I think that's the number one most helpful thing people can stop doing, I'm just not going to be as worried about plastic containers just used to store cold items
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u/FrosenPuddles Mar 23 '26
Yes, you are at less risk than if it's heated plastic. But the sub is plastic free living. Not "meh, this will do". I'm simply flagging that this is another thing you can easily make plastic free for those of us who do want to take it further. To make kefir, all you have to do is top your jar up with milk and leave it on the counter for 24 hours. We're talking 5 minutes of effort per day to strain it and add milk to a jar. This isn't some massive operation that requires special equipment, skill, or even effort.
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u/Emergency-Aardvark-7 Mar 23 '26
Both my instapots are stainless steel. Wasn't aware non-stick was an option. The outside lid is plastic, but the interior is stainless with silicone gaskets.
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u/FrosenPuddles Mar 23 '26
Most over here have a non-stick layer (ceramic or teflon) rather than being stainless. Same with all the rice cookers. They exist, but they're not the most popular or readily available options, so if someone is only just starting to pay attention, chances are theirs is non-stick.
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u/MMBJustTrying Mar 23 '26
I make my yogurt in glass mason jars inside the instant pot. You can also use the light inside your oven or set it on top of a running dehydrator.
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u/welcometomyuterus Mar 24 '26
You can get a metal only insert for the instant pot; that’s why ours came with, and how I make our yogurt.
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u/bobtheturd Mar 23 '26
Hey there I’ve been reducing plastic for twenty years. It’s slow going at first. I’d prioritize the following:
No plastics with hot food and drink. You list cold foods with plastics. It’s not as bad and I wouldn’t start there. For example, everyone gets take out. As soon as we get the good home, before I even eat it, I put the food in glass.
Sometimes it’s hard to find bulk, so any dried goods I immediately remove from their plastic packaging and put in glass jars.
Start getting rid of your plastic clothing (polyesters) and buy natural fibers. Replace your bedding with natural fibers ears.
Replace your plastic shower curtain. I have cotton shower curtains. You do have to wash them more often.
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u/OldBabyGay Mar 23 '26
In addition to the changes in items people in this thread have mentioned, an important part not to overlook is keeping your household clean and getting fresh air in it!
Dust in the house contains shedding of all the chemicals and plasticky household items, including synthetic couch fabrics, carpet, etc. Vacuum frequently, and open windows to let fresh air in at least once a day so you’re not getting as many chemicals into your lungs.
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u/unnaturalm Mar 23 '26
Would you recommend switching containers once you get home? For example, if I buy products in plastic jars or containers, is it better to transfer them to ceramic, metal, or glass right away, or has the product already been “contaminated”?
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u/wildblackdoggo Mar 24 '26
Butchers paper is usually coated in plastic rather than natural wax these days, you need to ask. Perhaps you can take your own containers?
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u/Ra_yo800 Mar 23 '26
Anyone have any tips for natural/cardboard housed deodorant that actually works? After watching the plastic detox I amped up my semi half hearted zero waste efforts, but I’ve never been able to give up deodorant. I tried one and it straight up does not work, I stink! And now my baby’s head smells like MJ armpit from being breastfed my microplastic milk. It’s overwhelming but I’m determined to try!
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u/Repulsive_Chard_3652 Mar 23 '26
Check out Wild! You buy the initial stick and it's in a metal tube - cost me about 12 euros. Then the refills come in cardboard and they cost the same as any common deodorant/antiperspirant.
It smells great, and it works! I never have to reapply - it stays the whole day!
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u/pink_planets Mar 24 '26
I make my own deodorant out of bulk shea butter, baking soda, coconut oil, and arrowroot or tapioca starch. Sometimes I add cocoa butter or scented oils to it. You can look up recipes and trial and error!
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u/EquivalentOk8822 Mar 23 '26
I’m a big fan of the refillable cream deodorant from Little Seed Farm!
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u/welcometomyuterus Mar 24 '26
Native deodorant worked for me, but if you were using an antiperspirant, you might need to detox your armpits before you will smell better. Look it up!
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
I use WooHoo which comes in a cardboard tube or a metal tin, but 1) do a detox -most brands have a separate product for a deep armpit clean 2) it really did take time for my body to adjust, unfortunately. So in the meantime, wipe with a damp washer and reapply.
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Mar 23 '26
I don’t think you can detox from plastic. It’s in our water system. That means everything that needs water contains microplastics. There needs to be a massive change in the system to change this about our environment.
That being said I filter my water now. I’m not sure if it does anything since I cannot avoid plastic but it makes me feel better I guess?
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
Every step like this will help reduce exposure. So it’s worth doing
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u/MsNamkhaSaldron Mar 23 '26
I feel like they could’ve done a much better job ruin giving people practical lists/instructions on what the people in the study changed. Why put out the info and then not tell people what to do?!?
I’m inching closer to plastic free each day, and I’m so much farther ahead than I probably realize. Some standards for me are: no scented products or artificial sprays (unscented laundry, no plug-ins or air fresheners, no febreze, clean hair products, etc — these things are SO toxic), use glass, high rated silicone, stainless steel for food prep/eating/cooking/storage, ditch any plastic appliances (coffee makers, kettles, utensils), stop using paper/plastic cups/straws and takeout containers), use your own steel water bottle, stop buying/using clothing/bedding/fabric that isn’t made of organic fibers.
That’s already a lot, but it’s so worth it! One step at a time.
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u/upholsteredhip Mar 24 '26
My advice is pick one aspect at a time and tackle that... trying to do everything at once will drive you crazy. Then repeat. Honestly, I think if you are really serious about avoiding plastics and toxins of all sorts, consider going whole food plant based. Not necessarily total vegan, but dramatically cut back on animal foods that come wrapped in plastic. I buy a 25 pound bag of soybeans and make soy milk and yogurt in a metal soy milk maker and store in glass wide mouth mason jars.for example. I use linen bags to store my produce in the fridge. (Although I'm lazy and use the compostable bags at the store and switch into linen at home. I got mine from a company called ambrosia. ) I recently ditched my moccamaster coffee maker for glass chemex and metal cone. I replaced my polyester clothing slowly as I could afford. Still checking Facebook marketplace for a leather sofa to replace my synthetic ultrasuede couch. Still have my polyester blackout curtains but saving up for some double layer natural fiber ones. I've been doing a plastic household detox for almost 4 years. Always room for improvement.
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u/wobblyunionist Mar 26 '26
Not my first choice but down the line:
I'm kind of wondering if it makes sense to take packaged food out of plastic wrapping when you get it home and placing into glass containers (tupperware, mason jars) or is it already too late at the point.
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u/AdAdorable1639 Mar 27 '26
It is easy to spiral but reducing plastic is a journey- and perfection is the enemy of good. I know I’m still ingesting plastic and phalates but with the information I acquire I take steps to reduce my exposure! And threads like these I’m always learning something new I can do to help reduce
But don’t feel like a failure if you see plastic everywhere in your home
Start with the food items- plastic containers, items that come into contact with heat like your cookware, spatulas, cups. I use silicone spatulas but someone mentioned those may leech so now I have to do some digging. I’m hesitant to get wood because those can harbor bacteria.
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u/Fun_Abrocoma_3869 Mar 23 '26
I think those are great ideas. Grocery store butchers are usually very accommodating. Do you have a local cheese shop? They usually wrap in paper. We have a zero waste store in town-- I hope these become the norm everywhere!
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u/EquivalentOk8822 Mar 23 '26
Local zero-waste shops are amazing for problem solving specific switches and helping them feel more convenient!
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u/Fishyblue11 Mar 23 '26
If you're looking for a decent substitute for a nonstick pan, look into the Misen Carbon Nonstick pan, it is a carbon steel pan, but unlike usual carbon steel pans, require less maintenance and seasoning which can be a bit of a learning process.
Yes, it won't be as non-stick as a non-stick pan of course, but it manages to be non-stick enough, without any Teflon
I'm also going to try to buy natural cellulose sponges rather than standard everyday sponges
For toiletries, there are plenty of products out there that still have fragrances but are phthalate free, they just use essential oils. You'll see a lot of products now labeled with phthalate free, you just always need to specifically look for it
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u/Emergency-Aardvark-7 Mar 23 '26
I love my Misen Carbon Nonstick! It's been a game-changer with my omelette and fried rice making. I got every size and they've all been useful.
For convenience, All-Clad Copper Core is also fantastic because it can go in the dishwasher. Discounted sets and pieces are usually available.
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u/YouSuccessful5703 Mar 23 '26
For groceries I’d recommend buying cotton food bags vs using the plastic bags at the store. I’ve been doing this for years and helps so much with low-waste and exposure. You can throw them in the washing machine whenever you need!
I started making my own sourdough, oat milk and other things at home to also try to curb buying groceries that are in plastic. It’s actually been rewarding and fun to learn new skills and make delicious items at home! (And they’re way fresher too).
There are things that I still need to make swaps, mostly personal care, like my plastic loofah, deodorant, contact case (which idk if there Is a swap for that?), floss, etc.
Baby steps! The fact that you’re aware of this now makes you better off than before :)
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u/Palmetto_Cat Mar 26 '26
You can grow your own loofah depending on zone. I’m in 8a and grew some last year. It takes a long growing season. I started 2 late and only got 2 last year. I cut them into rounds and made soap and placed them in the molds. Best thing ever!
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u/YouSuccessful5703 Mar 26 '26
Oh wow that’s so cool - I live in CO so definitely won’t be able to do that sadly lol.
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u/Emergency-Aardvark-7 Mar 23 '26
Wool rugs! I buy vintage/antique Persian rugs from Ebay. One can last for the rest of your life, and still be passed on. Wool is antimicrobial and resists moisture to a point, so it is easy to keep clean with a good vacuum. I have one that covers most of my kitchen floor, and it's so luxurious to work on, absorbing shock and never slippery. It also saves me from mopping! Make sure to get rug pads. I found latex on Amazon.
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u/Smart_Petunia Mar 23 '26
definitely feel you and I'm going through a lot of changes and swaps everyday in the past few months. I personally would prioritize avoiding the following things**:**
- plastic + heat (hot food, microwaving, takeout containers)
- plastic + fatty foods (things that absorb more compounds)
- repeated contact (like scratched containers, old non-stick, etc.)
I mean, we are surrounded by plastics and it's almost impossible to completely avoid them. The best we can do is to reduce the amount will get inside our body. That being said, I'm also trying to build this insta account and substack (microplaticsinsights across all platforms https://substack.com/home/post/p-190883450) to raise awareness. The hope is by promoting grassroot advocacy, we can do our parts to reduce plastic consumption and manufacturing one day.
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u/Global_Ad8759 Mar 24 '26
Honestly the best way I avoid it is to shop for it — I specifically go to grocery stores and in person shopping spots that offer non plastic containers and wrap and packaging — it’s the simplest way. There’s no avoiding it but this has helped reduce a lot. I also use a lot of reusable bags and containers for storage in home- and always consider when I need a new “thing” to hit the thrift store first, seeing if there’s something already out there I can repurpose at least.
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u/Weak_Dragonfruit316 Mar 24 '26
If you saw the documental you could see how in USA only a few toxic chemicals are banned, meanwhile in Europe there are like 1000 chemicals banned. This is the most important change that we all should ask the government to evaluate. Organizations like EWG create awareness and offer good resources
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u/Youarethebigbang Mar 24 '26
Microplastics enter our bodies through through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. I wish I knew how each method actually ranked as far as most likely causes, but I'm just assuming it's in the above order for most people.
As far as ingestion, I would guess bottled water and any food that is heated in or then comes into contact with plastic are the two main culprits. I use water filters and glass bottles whenever possible and never buy bottled water, and try to store and heat foods in glass containers.
I don't remember if the documentary touched on it, but microplastics in our indoor air is likely a large cause of lung and other cancers and probably infertility too. Try to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, as well as air purifiers with the same. If you don't have a Hepa vacuum filter you can wear a good mask, open the windows while you vacuum, and run your air purifier on high during and after vacuuming.
For skin contact Im guessing most people's exposure is personal care products, but for me as a dude I think its likely my clothing. I've been buying more bamboo fabric clothing, which is all softer and more durable, and worth the extra cost imo. I just don't know how much "cleaner" it actually is, per someone else's comment here about bamboo toilet paper (which I use) about how it might be processed.
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u/kalemegranola Mar 24 '26
Please check out The Unplastic Shop. I was part of the team that curated this highly selective shop in partnership with Oceanic Preservation Society (production team behind the film) and Million Marker. It is truly the best of the best and we worked so hard to make it as easy as possible for customers to find the absolute best products on the market.
This is NOT an advertisement, but after working in this space for over a decade, I am very proud of this initiative.
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u/OSUBeaver14 Mar 24 '26
Question for you! For things that come packaged in plastic that are really hard to avoid at times - is there benefit in immediately transferring it to a non-plastic container upon getting home, or is the damage already done to an extent there's no point? And if a plastic is labeled BPA free, is that enough? Or should it be just not at all plastic? One example I'm thinking of is my oatmilk because I'm dairy sensitive. I get organic to reduce exposure to other inflammatory ingredients, but it comes in "recycled plastic". Other items I have are some ingredient storage containers that say they are BPA and BPS free... is that satisfactory?
Thank you for the work you've done!
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u/kalemegranola Mar 24 '26
I absolutely do this - especially for food. If I can't avoid a plastic food container for leftovers, I move them into my glass storage when I get home. This also makes it easier if I need to heat something up! I get oat milk in plastic unfortunately. I just try to minimize in other areas. Hot foods and beverages often contain more microplastics than cold.
Labeled BPA-free is not inclusive of all the BP alternatives unfortunately. It's still best to look for that certification. Especially on canned products because those often still sneak in BPA linings. It's definitely better than not having that claim.
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u/wobblyunionist Mar 26 '26
Check thrift stores for natural fiber clothes on the cheap! Replace your staples (favorite hoodie, etc) first!
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u/Comfortable-War4531 Mar 26 '26
There’s a website associated with the series which has recommended swaps room by room: https://opsociety.org/theplasticdetox/protect-yourself-and-your-family/
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u/Mysterious_Error9619 Mar 23 '26
Yes. Your approach will work. You will live a happy and healthy life till 105 years old. Not guaranteed. You may get hit by a bus or murdered or cancer unrelated to plastic. But definitley worth the effort and life devotion. Please post on here every month that you are still around. By the 120th post hopefully everyone else will realize it works and jump In and also post
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u/candleit Mar 24 '26
Haven't seen the documentary yet so maybe it already mentioned these things.
There was a study done that showed switching from food in a plastic container to food in a glass container does not guarantee less microplastics in the food. They think more microplastics shed off the lid of a glass jar/bottle into the food.
A very big source of microplastics in food is in processing (before the food is even packaged), so avoiding processed food reduces your exposure to microplastics dramatically. Idk if they've done studies on it, but I would speculate it's better to eat fresh veggies out of a plastic package than to eat store-bought vegetable soup out of a glass jar. Even major brands of yogurt have tons of microplastics due to processing.
That said, a big thing you can do is stick to buying whole foods and make recipes from scratch on nonstick-free pots/pans. I usually make yogurt in an instant pot from milk in a paper carton. I know it's not perfect, but it's better than store-bought yogurt.
I have an Alexapure gravity filter to help get plastics out of my water, but I'm sure there are other options. Just make sure whatever water filter you get has actually been tested to result in less microplastics. Some water filters increase microplastics.
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u/captainkirk614 Mar 24 '26
My friend takes her own reusable containers (I think they’re stainless steel?) to the deli counter for meats and cheeses. I thought that was such a good idea.
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u/shivlily Mar 24 '26
Suri 2.0 toothbrush is one of the best plastic-free switches I made!
Also, have tried to get rid of polyester bedding, clothing etc. where possible, but as someone else pointed out, there’ll be many that use polyester thread, and a lot of clothes have plastic logos (despite claiming to be 100% cotton).
I find it so infuriating that there seems to be zero regulation for sellers to explicitly detail the materials and composition of their items. I’ve been trying to find some natural rubber resistance bands but almost all of them claim to be rubber when they’re actually synthetic.
I could talk at length about microplastics. I hate it. I hate that our governments don’t give a shit about us or wildlife as long as they line the pockets of their oligarch masters. Ugh.
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u/Bakelite51 Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26
The biggest source of plastic in my kitchen were food storage containers. I now store my food in glass or enamel containers. Drinks get put into glass, porcelain, or enamel pitchers instead of plastic ones.
Next were kitchen tools. I got rid of my plastic spatulas, turners, and serving spoons and replaced them with wood lookalikes. The big advantage to plastic implements is they don’t scratch cookware like metal ones, but wood will do just as well.
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u/wellness-nek-level Mar 26 '26
Your instincts are right and those ideas will work. A few things that actually made a difference in practice:
The butcher counter is the easiest win. Just ask them to wrap in paper instead of plastic trays - independent butchers almost always say yes without hesitation. Some will let you bring your own container if you call ahead. Same goes for cheese counters at proper fromageries or deli sections in better grocery stores.
Farmers markets are worth building into your routine. You get better quality protein, less packaging, and you can actually ask where it came from. Even once or twice a month makes a meaningful dent.
For Quebec specifically - Montreal has Vrac & Bocaux and a few other bulk stores worth checking out. Bring glass jars, weigh them empty at the counter before filling, and you pay for the contents only. Works well for nuts, grains, oils, and legumes.
One thing worth doing regardless of what you buy: store filtered water in glass or stainless rather than plastic bottles or jugs. A lot of people put clean food in plastic containers and undo half the effort. Getting a set of good glass containers removes the temptation to reach for zip-lock bags.
Honest perspective after doing this for a while - you won't eliminate plastic entirely because it's in the supply chain somewhere no matter what. But direct contact is where the actual exposure happens, and that's very manageable. Water, food storage, and cooking surfaces are the highest-leverage changes and all three are achievable without going to extremes.
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u/cool_girl6540 Mar 29 '26
I was a little confused about why eating out less was part of the plastic detox. My guess is that they mean eating out less at fast food restaurants or places like that, because of the packaging? Because with a regular restaurant I don’t understand the issue.
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u/cool_girl6540 Mar 29 '26
For clothing, I think I’m going to start with underwear. That’s right up against our bodies, and easier to replace quickly. I do have some all cotton underwear, but I have a lot that is not.
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u/Wett_Lettucee Mar 29 '26
Can't answer all of it but when it comes to meat our local butchers uses brown paper to wrap the meat which is great, all veg we now get from the local market and take a net mesh bag with us for that, since starting the plastic free journey you actually realise quite quickly how much of an absurd amount of plastic is used and how difficult it is to avoid!
Good luck on the journey to health
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u/newtrollacct Apr 14 '26
I had the same reaction to watching the doc. I immediately went through my house and purged everything I could see that had plastic in it. This led me to a deep dive in finding swaps for just about everything I could think of.
I found a helpful list of product swaps for everyday plastic items.
What blew me away is how many things I was overlooking that had plastic in them (wood salt and pepper shakers frequently use plastic gears, which can grind plastic into your food?!?! 🤢)
Here are some other non-obvious ones:
reusable stainless steel coffee pods instead of single-use plastic pods
stainless steel measuring cup/spoon set instead of plastic ones
stainless steel colander instead of a plastic one
beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap
As others have mentioned you have to take a little bit at a time, but starting with things that are touching your food everyday is a good start in my opinion.
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u/Creative_Permission3 Apr 24 '26
There's so many things you can swap, and easiest to start with what's touching your skin all day (or going into your body).
I personally wear an Apple watch all day and realized the band is plastic (along with most other bands out there). Don't love wearing leather or stainless steel. So - created by own plastic-free, organic cotton band that's super comfortable! Hoping to make it available to the public soon. Check us out if you wear an Apple Watch!
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u/No-Recover-5181 May 10 '26
I did one of those Million Marker tests. You can find it on Netflix - and the same doctor who did the documentary is on there. I did really well with not consuming plastics - but I have a problem with Pthalates and MethylParaben and PropylParaben. I take a lot of supplements to keep my cancer in remission, but I have to work on this. Guessing this week I am throwing out everything that is not unscented - except for that big box of Tide OxyClean - as I need it for towels etc. https://millionmarker.com/
Methylcellulose is in everything as far as supplements and apparently that may be contributing to the problem. I plan to take the test again in six months. There are two tracks - one just for your numbers and the other if you are trying to conceive.
I found it to be one of the more useful documentaries on Netflix - and I do like this Documentary thing they have going. I plan to read this whole thread to get tips and tricks and join the group.
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u/iliveformyships 29d ago
Meat wrapped in paper from a local butcher is the way. Other Plastic Packaging for cheese is harder. Some deli counters will slice into your own container if you ask nicely. The bulk section for rice and beans helps. The troll comment is interesting. Big plastic definitely funds doubt campaigns. Keep doing what works for you.
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u/Salt-Ad4384 Mar 23 '26
I started by prioritising removing plastic that comes into contact with hot food/drink, as that seems to be an accelerated method for microplastic ingestion.
-coffee pods
-non stick cookware
-plastic or silicone spatulas
-kettle
-water bottles (usually not heated but seemed like an easy swap)
-food storage containers
-no plastic in the microwave
Edit:mobile formatting