By Clare Broderick, Founder of Greener Cleaner LIVING, LLC
As a busy working mom, my life was a whirlwind of activities, juggling work, family, and household chores. My kids are out of college now, but during those years, convenience was key, and our home and work routines revolved around single-use plastics and disposable items. Every month, I would make a trip to the warehouse store and stock up on coffee cups and lids, plastic water bottles, plastic food storage containers, and plastic dinnerware. These items were a staple in our household, making life a bit easier amidst the chaos.
Everything changed when in my engineering design career, I began working on more projects requiring sustainability features and energy-efficiency design. To do this well I became certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, I delved deep into understanding the environmental impacts of various materials and practices. It was during this time that I learned about the massive energy consumption, waste, and financial costs associated with single-use plastics – let alone the health implications. The data was staggering.
The more I learned, the more concerned I became. Every time I opened my car trunk to load in the warehouse store-sized packages of disposable products, I realized that my reliance on these throw-away items was contributing to a larger, more insidious problem. The ramifications were far worse than I had imagined when I first began relying so heavily on K-cups, Dixie to-go coffee cups, SOLO drink cups, and plastic water bottles. It was a wake-up call that I couldn’t ignore. Seeing the impact of plastic waste on our environment and understanding the potential human health risks posed by microplastics and chemicals like BPA and PFAS made me determined to make a change.
Motivated by the desire to create a healthier environment for my kids and myself, I decided to overhaul our habits. The first step was to reassess the products we used daily. I switched to highly concentrated, plant-based cleaners, which not only reduced plastic waste but also minimized our exposure to harsh chemicals. I ditched plasticware and disposable cups, opting for reusable alternatives like stainless steel and bamboo.
Switching to glass food storage containers was another significant change. Glass is not only more sustainable but also safer, as it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into our food. We also moved to filtering water at home and using stainless steel bottles, eliminating the need for plastic water bottles. These changes, though initially “new” and challenging, soon became second nature.
The impact of these changes was immediate and profound. Our household waste reduced dramatically. We went from putting out two garbage cans twice a week to just one, once a week. This waste reduction not only felt good but also reflected a significant shift in our consumption habits. Additionally, we found ourselves saving hundreds of dollars a year by not buying single-use cleaners, water bottles, and kitchenware. Those savings motivated me to find more ways to operate our home more sustainably – and that first full year I tracked our progress – we saved over $1500!! The financial savings were a very pleasant surprise, that reinforced the idea for us that sustainable living can also be economically beneficial.
Most importantly, we’re no longer exposed to harmful chemicals like microplastics, BPA, and PFAS from water bottles and cans. Avoiding these unnecessary plastics in our lives has opened our eyes to even more easy, safer, and affordable sustainable swaps. For example, we started using silicone covers and beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap, and cloth bags for produce instead of plastic ones. These small changes, when added up, made a big difference.
This journey towards a plastic-free lifestyle has been transformative for our family. We’ve become more conscious consumers, carefully considering the environmental impact of our purchases. The benefits extend beyond our household. By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we’re contributing to a larger movement towards sustainability. It’s empowering to know that our actions, no matter how small, are part of a global effort to protect our planet.
Avoiding unnecessary plastic in our lives has opened our eyes to even more easy, safer, and affordable sustainable swaps. I love Swedish dishcloths – so we buy paper towels only rarely. By switching to cloth napkins many years back, I am still working through my last stash of paper napkins from 8 years ago!! It’s been a transformative – and super easy – journey for our family.
Plastic-Free July is the perfect time to start making these changes. If you’re inspired to reduce your plastic footprint, I encourage you to start with small, manageable steps. Switch to reusable water bottles, invest in a good water filter, and choose glass or stainless steel food containers. Every little bit helps, and collectively, we can make a significant impact.
Together, let’s embrace a plastic-free lifestyle and work towards a more sustainable future. Our planet, our health, and our wallets will thank us.
Clare Broderick is the Director of Partnership Development at the WEforum Group and is the founder of Greener Cleaner LIVING, LLC, a sustainable home and lifestyle consultancy. Clare uses her extensive professional experience in healthcare environment & building design to help women learn to live a more natural, non-toxic lifestyle & make changes to detox your family’s home & health. Want to save $1,500 a year with sustainable swaps? Download my free tip sheet now and join us in making a difference this Plastic-Free July!
