Lets replace Plastic. Part 2

Our Plastic consumption habits need to be changed- slowly and persistently

It takes time to change an old habit. ( minimum 21  days according to studies )

But it does change if we put our mind to it, and once we understand how our change in habit can create a positive impact on the global environmental pollution problem.

Some very easy changes that we can make for starters, in our daily life are:

1. Disposable Coffee Cup/glasses with reusable ones.

Image Source: Flipkart

Reusable cups like this

also, check out this very convenient portable glass like this one..

2. Cling film  with kitchen towels

Image Source: Google.

3. Plastic bag with reusable cloth bags.

Image Source: Pinterest





Cotton Reusable shopping bags or fridge bags, like this, are also ideal substitutes for plastic bags.

4. Plastic Drinking Bottle with Reusable Drinking Bottle.

Glass bottle or flasks are perfect!

These handpainted flasks from

Trove can kick any plastic bottles ass any day.

Image Source: Facebook/Trove

Image Source: Facebook/Trove

Other alternatives to plastic bottles are this or this flasks or copper flasks like this one with all the benefits of copper.
Glass Bottles like this or this  from PepperFry.

5. Plastic straw with Reusable Straw.

Stop using those plastic straws! 
and get yourself some modern, reusable and so practical straws like this, or this or colorful glass one like this from Amazon.

Image Source: Google.

Or a very good option is a reusable stainless steel drinking straw with filter spoons, also available in Amazon India

Image Source: Amazon India

Another very eco-friendly alternative is Bamboo straws, check out the 2 options here & here by Bamboo India

Bamboo Straws from Bamboo India

and If you looking for something disposable and eco-friendly at the same time, take a look at this paper straws  by Atsu -Eco, available in Amazon India

6. Plastic Containers with Stainless Steel / Glass jar or container

Source: Google

I found some really cool alternatives to plastic storage container and jars
jars and beyond
they have some really nice collection, tin jars, copper jars, stainless steel jars and many more!

Image Source: Jars and Beyond

Stainless Steel doesn't have to be boring. The India Craft House offers some beautiful handcrafted canister and jar.

Image Source: The India Craft House

Image SourceL The India Craft House

Or get yourself these gorgeous one of a kind, beautiful handpainted steel container, from Trove . They will not only look pretty in your kitchens but are better alternatives to plastic containers.
You can check out there FB page for some really cool quirky kitchenware! 

Image Source: Facebook/Trove

Image Source: Facebook/Trove

7. Zip pouch with this amazing container bags by ENVIGREEN.

8. Melamine dinnerware with ceramic or steel dinnerware.

Image Souce: Cultural Concepts

Image Source: Cultural Concepts.

browse around the wonderful collection from CulturalConcepts for some handcrafted dinner plates and serving bowls

Plastic Free July!

Well, we don't have to stop just at July, It could become a part of our lifestyle!

That's what I aim to do.

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I recently came across the 'Plastic-free July Challenge' organized globally to raise awareness about the harmful effects of the single-use plastic. And found it a very interesting way to promote a plastic-free life. Everyone can try this challenge or take it as a form of a pledge without feeling too much pressure and take baby steps towards a Green living. 

The challenge is pretty simple, nothing hard and fast- we have the freedom to draw our own boundaries, the aim here is more to raise awareness and ultimately adopt a zero-waste lifestyle than to make things intimidating.

We have an option to choose what kind of challenge we take- it could be 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, a year, absolutely anything and also what we choose to stop using- all single-use plastic or the top 4 plastic pollutant- plastic straws, plastic bottles, plastic bag and coffee cups. or to have a plastic-free house, office space or travel. 

It could be also an individual or a group pledge!

you can customize the pledge as you feel convenient, to begin with. 

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It's a pretty easy, and very sensible challenging to take, considering the rampant use of plastic in our daily lives, the most harmful and excessive being the plastic shopping bags. 

In India, 20 states have completely banned the use, manufacturing, supply, and storage of polythene bags while 5 states have partial bans though we cant be very sure how far they have been successful, for the lack of awareness and also lack of an equally cheap substitute. 

Challenges or pledges like this will help create awareness and take personal steps to this cause.

 Step 1

Make a list of items that you use that are plastic based or harmful to the environment. 
Use of disposable coffee cups, plastic bottle, use of polythene bags, using disposable cutlery.

Step 2

What are the possible substitutes for it? 

What changes can you bring about in your lifestyle to reduce or avoid the complete use of it?  

Make a list of substitute or changes in lifestyle.  

Step 3
Make actionable plans to incorporate them into your daily life.
Adopting everything all at once might get a bit too overwhelming, and it would be convenient and much effective if actions are taken in small steps.

Step 4
Review. 
Give yourself time after which you can review your progress. And its okay if you are falling a bit behind, don't give up, even the smallest of progress is better than none.

For starters, we can

Reduce, the use where ever possible if not avoidable

Refuse, the use, but substituting it with eco-friendly options.

Reuse, if the item isn't sustainable.  

Avoid product in plastic packages.

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