How plastic enters our lives and practical ways to reduce it

Years ago, I did a big plastic purge. I cleared out containers, swapped materials, and felt confident that I had reduced the amount of plastic in our home. But lately, I’ve noticed some of it creeping back in.

As life got busier, convenience started to take over. Kids grew, routines changed, and plastic slowly found its way back — not always as bags or bottles, but as wrappers, lids, toys, and everyday items I hadn’t questioned in a long time. Going against the grain — like trying to find food without plastic when almost everything is packaged in it — takes time, energy, and often extra money. And for a while, I just didn’t have the bandwidth to tackle the mountain of plastic that feels almost inevitable these days.

Then, while scrolling through posts from an account I’ve followed for years, it hit me again just how much plastic — and the microplastics it creates — can impact our health, and the future health of our children in particular. That moment was enough to pause, reset, and start making changes again. Below, I’m sharing some of the relatively quick and easy swaps that have helped me ease back into reducing plastic, without trying to do everything at once.

Check out this past post for a few more ideas to get that plastic out of our homes! 31 Plastic Free Swaps for Plastic Free July – A Sustainably Simple Life

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Microplastics: The plastic we don’t see

Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic — often smaller than a grain of rice — that come from everyday plastic items as they get used and worn down. Things like opening food packaging, twisting bottle caps, washing clothes, or chopping on plastic cutting boards can all release them, usually without us ever noticing.

What’s a little unsettling is how easily those tiny pieces can end up in our bodies. They’ve been found in food, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. Plastics often carry additives like BPA and phthalates, and they can act as vehicles for other environmental toxins. Researchers are still figuring out exactly what this means long term, but early studies suggest microplastics may play a role in inflammation and chemical exposure.

Where plastic shows up in our daily lives

Plastic exposure isn’t limited to obvious packaging. It’s woven into everyday routines we rarely stop to think about:

• Kids’ items like chewed toys, teethers, sippy cups, bottles, and snack containers
• Children’s clothing and plush toys, especially synthetic fabrics that shed microfibers
• Everyday clothing, blankets, towels, and bedding made from polyester, fleece, or microfiber
• Food packaging, including wrappers, bags, and containers that are opened, torn, or handled often
• Plastic bottle lids, where twisting and friction can release tiny particles into drinks
• Plastic cutting boards, which shed small fragments with regular use
• Heating or storing food in plastic, which increases breakdown over time
• Kitchen and cleaning items like sponges, scrubbers, and brushes that wear down quickly
• Tea bags and coffee pods that contain hidden plastic layers
• Storage bins, organizers, and household tools that slowly degrade with daily handling

None of these items feel dramatic on their own. But together — especially when used every day — they can quietly add up.

Practical ways to reduce plastic exposure

Instead of trying to eliminate plastic entirely, I will be aiming for less plastic where it counts, with small, doable changes that work in my (sometimes crazy) everyday life

Start with the easiest swaps (low time, low cost)

These are simple changes that don’t require much planning or money:

• Switch to glass or stainless steel for water bottles and food storage as plastic ones wear out
• Use wood or bamboo cutting boards and utensils instead of plastic
• Choose high-quality, food-grade silicone for things like lids where plastic is hard to avoid

Next: Materials that make a big difference

These swaps take a bit more intention and planning:

• Choose cotton, wool, or linen for towels, bedding, and clothes when you’re replacing items anyway
• Slowly phase out synthetic blankets, towels, or pajamas — no need to do it all at once

DIY Where where it makes sense

This doesn’t have to be complicated or Pinterest-perfect:

• Make simple cleaning sprays with vinegar, water, and baking soda
• Use cloth napkins, wipes, or towels made from old cotton shirts or fabric
• Prep homemade snacks when you can to cut down on single-use packaging. A couple of years ago I posted some plastic-free food ideas here! Plastic Free July: Food – A Sustainably Simple Life

Bulk and refill (more effort, bigger impact)

These take a little more planning but can make a real dent over time:

• Bring your own containers to bulk stores
• Choose refillable soaps, detergents, and cleaners. See my post about creating your own refillery here! How to create a home refillery – A Sustainably Simple Life
• Support brands that focus on minimal or plastic-free packaging

Small shifts make an impact

Plastic sneaks back into our lives because it’s everywhere — and honestly, because most days we’re just trying to get through them. But once you start noticing it, it becomes easier to pause and make different choices when you can.

Reducing microplastic exposure isn’t about doing things perfectly or overhauling everything at once. It’s about picking a few high-impact areas and making small changes that feel manageable.

We may not be able to avoid every microplastic, and that’s okay. Even a handful of thoughtful swaps can make our homes feel a little safer and a little more intentional, one choice at a time.

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