Natural replacements for plastic could help reverse the growing tide of plastic waste in the oceans (Credit: Getty Images) Mushrooms consist of a network of filaments called hyphae. There are loads of veg-box schemes out there now. Watch 5-year-old Charlie tell his story about picking up litter from beaches: Ask government for a new law to end pointless plastic pollution. Plastic is a disaster for the planet and deadly to wildlife. The leading campaign against plastic pollution – including facts about plastic and the environment, and how to avoid single-use plastics. Biodegradable plastic straws usually look like ordinary straws and they are also single-use. Alternative: Sustainable clothing advocates say that the best way to make the fashion industry more sustainable is for consumers and companies to invest in longer-lasting items made from sustainable materials that would lead to less clothing is bought overall. Plastics are carbon polymers which we derive from petroleum. Most are made from wood pulp and starch which will biodegrade. But naturally, after more than 50 years of plastic pots, gardeners will be concerned about how well these alternatives work and possible negative effects on their plants. Bioplastics are a group of plastics that are either bio-based, biodegradable or both, and are a potentially good alternative, Dr Wilson said. EarthShell “Paper” Plates These efforts are often legitimately sustainable and suggest a viable path toward a zero waste future, such as tote bags that replace single-use plastic bags. After an anti-plastic petition gathered 1 million signatures, the retail giant listened to customers and announced a new commitment to sustainability. Metal and glass straws are the longest lasting reusable straws. If lugging bottles around doesn't sound like fun, you absolutely need soap nuts. Small steps like these can make big changes in the long-term, he said. Many of the most polluted waterways are in developing countries, such as China and India. This recommendation comes with a major caveat, because people with disabilities rely on straws and should be able to access the straw of their choice. Help us change this. Beeswax food wraps are how. Things to Keep in Mind About Eco-friendly Alternatives. Alternative: Here are a few reusable water bottles you can buy that will both reduce your single-use plastic consumption and will last a long a time: Similar to water bottles derived from plant-based plastics, some companies have begun selling biodegradable plastic bags. Take an old Tupperware box, moisten a flannel or cut up an old towel, and pop in the box. There are quite a few plastic items you can replace in your everyday life with their eco-friendly counterparts. This option has hit the market in a big way. Some health stores and eco supermarkets let you refill your empty cleaning liquids. “Studies have basically found out that the degradation of bioplastics in the guts of sea turtles is no different than plastic,” she said. Single-use plastic straws have become public enemy No. It sounds like a compelling idea — taking the plastic waste that’s contaminating the environment and turning it into an asphalt that, in turn, conserves natural resources. Keep your produce fresh for … 6 really good alternatives to plastic 1. But while the cone is a nuisance for dogs—and a bit funny looking to pet parents—it actually serves an important purpose. But there are three problems with these efforts, according to Levey, who has extensively studied and experimented with plastic bottle substitutes. Read More: World's Biggest Brands Investing in 'Milkman' Model to Rethink Plastic Packaging. Meet Mark Copal, the solver who found an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging for water bottles. Another successful effort towards a more sustainable packaging is the winning solution brought by Mark Copal to one of the ennomotive challenges. “We had bamboo samples we were excited about, only to learn that this bamboo stuff looks and feels like plastic, and it’s actually 15% bamboo powder, maybe 20% cornstarch and then 60% resin, which is actually a chemically formed plastic that also contains formaldehyde.”. Should supermarkets be selling fruit and vegetables wrapped in plastic? To make it easier for those of you who are looking for plastic-free alternatives, I’ve created a room-by-room guide of how you can rid your home of plastic and what to swap it with instead. While these are both touted as sustainable alternatives, the realty is they are not. These bottles also often contain plastic linings or chemicals that are unable to naturally degrade. Some used plastic items can also be converted to bioplastics. He created a real eco friendly alternative to plastic packaging of the water bottle six-packs. “You essentially need an environment that has high enough heat and moisture levels that allow microbes to break down the polymer, but outside of a carefully controlled environment, that degradation may not and most likely will not occur,” he said. That thin layer will likely end up as tiny pieces in the soil, which could then find their way into our rivers and eventually the sea. You know that loose tea tastes better anyway – and is it really that much more of a strain to prepare? Sign up. According to the makers soap nuts can be used with all fabrics, at all temperatures from 30-90oC. While research in the US found that people are willing to pay more for non-plastic pots. There's a shedload of plastic in our oceans. If enough people make similar decisions based on shared values, then sector-wide transformations can happen. Paper straws are also a better alternative for coffee shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, as supermarkets reduce their use of plastic grocery bags, people are buying alternative plastic bags specifically for their bin liner. Magic. Check out this big list of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap – I bet there’s one or two here that will work for you! Sometimes, however, what seems groundbreakingly sustainable at first glance is not so green upon closer inspection. If your Facebook account does not have an attached e-mail address, you'll need to add that before you can sign up. The UK government thankfully introduced a ban on plastic straws and cotton buds in October 2020. Replace teabags with loose tea. Platinum silicone. Cassava-based plastic can instantly break down in hot water and takes only a few months to decompose on land or … “It can be daunting and folks that are coming into this issue learning about going plastic-free and zero waste and they start to try to make changes, a lot of people want to give up,” he said. You want to buy organic to do right by the planet. 1. and Plastic free alternatives: Stainless steel straws, bamboo straws, pasta straws and rice straws (yes, they’re a thing!). Maybe you already use an eco laundry detergent. Your tea bags are smuggling yet more plastic into your life. Overall, these efforts help to clean up the oceans, which is undoubtedly a good thing, but they end up releasing microplastics and other toxins into the environment over the long-term, and also don’t do anything to break the reign of fast fashion, according to experts.