Jordan JantzMicroplastics have become the latest health craze. Once a slow-simmering health concern, the perils of plastic are on full blast thanks to a recent Netflix documentary chronicling the plastic detox journey of several couples struggling with infertility. The public-service announcement is even spreading this year via a national billboard campaign that hit a city near me with the message “Microplastics Are Micromonsters.”
It doesn’t take a genius to know that ingesting a petrochemical derivative isn’t optimal for human health, but the anti-plastic campaign isn’t without supporting research either. Studies have linked microplastics have to fertility struggles, cancer, and even heart attacks. So if you’re looking around your house for a few places to cut out plastic, here are the better-for-you swaps you can start making today.
Cutting boards. Those gouges in your plastic cutting board? The plastic flecks cut free go somewhere, and that somewhere may be your sliced veggies and then your digestive system. A metal or glass cutting board may be a tempting swap, but metal and glass will quickly ruin your knife’s sharp edge. Fortunately, wood cutting boards can be antimicrobial, durable when properly cared for, and a gorgeous addition to your kitchen. To keep the wood aging well, simply hand-wash the board after use, dry promptly, and occasionally treat the board with mineral oil or board wax.
Utensils and kitchenware. For those of us who have already ditched the plastic cutting board, it’s time to start looking around the rest of the kitchen to discover plastic lunch containers, single-use utensils, and plastic party cups. There’s no perfect solution to the convenience of single-use plastic, but when it comes to the items we reach for day after day, there are plenty of alternatives. Glass is microwaveable, dishwasher safe, and often oven safe. Stainless steel will withstand a bumpy commute into the office without shattering. And silicone spatulas will survive temperatures far hotter than any plastic cooking tool.
Paper cups. We’ve all heard the moralizing over plastic straws and their supposed environmental impact, and we’ve all heard the lecture about switching to reusable straws. But the paper coffee cup at the cafe is also lined with plastic that can leach into your piping hot latte. If you’re grabbing the day’s first caffeine hit out, there’s not much to do about the disposable cup, but if you’re saving a few bucks by making a cup at home or pouring one at the office, then break out the Stanley cup (or, if you missed the insulated cup trend, buy your first stainless steel tumbler) to keep your beverage steaming hot or ice cold, and there’s nothing wrong with a classic ceramic mug either!
Floss. Conventional dental floss consists of plastic, and we wedge it between our teeth, right next to our sensitive gums, and sometimes with enough reckless abandon to bleed. All the while, the toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) coating rubs against sensitive gum tissue. Ditch the forever chemicals and plastic with silk dental floss. It does take a bit of adjusting to gently wiggle the floss between tight spaces, rather than forcing sturdier plastic floss against the gumline, but once you find the brand that works best for your teeth, it will get your teeth just as clean as its plastic counterpart.
Gum. Ever wonder why chewing gum lasts so long without dissolving? It’s because most modern gum contains polymers (aka plastic). On the packaging, you’ll never find the word “plastic,” but the mysterious “gum base” ingredient typically refers to a blend of synthetic polymers. Yet, just a few decades ago, gum contained natural materials such as chicle (hence Chiclets), and if you carefully read ingredient labels or peruse a natural foods store today, there are still plenty of plastic-free choices in flavors from mint to bubble gum.
Polyester clothing. Beyond the world of food, plastic still surrounds us, and our wardrobes are no exception. The fibers from polyester clothing can shed from daily wear and in the laundry, freeing microplastics into our homes where they can wind up airborne and contaminating the water supply. Not to mention that polyester fabric isn’t breathable — because it’s literally plastic. Fortunately, brands like Pact and Mate offer polyester-free clothes, basics, undergarments, and athletic wear. At the store, look for natural fibers such as wool, cotton, and linen, and skip the synthetics such as nylon, acrylic, and spandex. With cotton making a comeback, there are even an increasing number of polyester-free fabric tags at Walmart and Target.
Polyester bedding. Swapping out clothing for natural fibers will give you a comfier wardrobe, but if you’re getting your eight hours of sleep each night, face smushed against a polyester pillow, swathed in polyester sheets, covered by a polyester duvet, then the cotton PJs are fighting an uphill battle. For a plastic-free night’s sleep, look for cotton sheets and pillowcases. Layer with a cotton quilt, down or wool comforter, and for the truly dedicated, cozy up with wool-filled pillows.
In our modern day, there’s no way to completely cut plastic from our lives, and frankly, I’m grateful to live in a world with the invention of plastic. Sometimes, it’s cheaper, sturdier, and more convenient. I’m still sipping from plastic straws, wearing my nylon tights, and waiting for the right sale to replace my poly-fill comforter, but when the non-plastic choices are just as good as — if not better than — the plastic ones, the healthy choice is also the obvious one. So the next time you’re buying a new cutting board, treat yourself to a gorgeous wood one, or spend the extra buck on glassware you can easily clean in the dishwasher, and rest easy in your comfy cotton T-shirt.
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Jordan Jantz is the assistant editor at IW Features as well as a freelance writer, editor, and website designer.
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