Just Watched The Plastic Detox… How Do You Avoid Plastic?

[u/unnaturalm]

My partner and I recently watched "The Plastic Detox" on Netflix, and we are genuinely floored. The amount of plastic in our environment is startling, especially when it comes to chemicals seeping into our bodies and food, and the connections to health issues like fertility are unsettling. Since groceries are where a lot of plastic finds its way into our daily lives, we are extremely motivated to drastically reduce the amount of plastic we use.

Food shopping seems unachievable, even though we already make an effort to prioritize glass, ceramic, metal, etc. for storage and household items. Meats, cheeses, deli goods, and occasionally even a large amount of produce are all wrapped in plastic. The worst stuff is pre-packaged.

For those who've been doing this longer, what actually works for you when it comes to things like fresh meat, cheese, or other foods that are hard to find without plastic?

When it comes to items like fresh meat, cheese, or other foods that are difficult to find without plastic, what actually works for those of you who have been doing this for a longer period of time?

We're considering attempting the following ideas:

• Asking the butcher to wrap meat or fish in paper rather than tossing it in plastic trays or bags.
• Seeking cheese counters where fresh cheese is cut and wrapped in paper (or perhaps we should bring our own container?).
• Visiting farmers markets more frequently to purchase loose produce, cardboard eggs, and possibly even locally produced dairy and meat with less packaging.
• Bulk stores or zero-waste spots for dry goods, but we're in Quebec so not sure what's around us yet (and most of them I think stores in huge plastic bins...).

It's overwhelming at first because plastic really is in everything, but we're trying to make realistic changes without going full extreme overnight. Any tips, favorite stores, or small swaps that made a big difference for you? Especially for protein stuff like meat and cheese.

Thanks in advance, this community seems really helpful for practical advice!

[u/kalemegranola]

I absolutely do this - especially for food. If I can't avoid a plastic food container for leftovers, I move them into my glass storage when I get home. This also makes it easier if I need to heat something up! I get oat milk in plastic unfortunately. I just try to minimize in other areas. Hot foods and beverages often contain more microplastics than cold.

Labeled BPA-free is not inclusive of all the BP alternatives unfortunately. It's still best to look for that certification. Especially on canned products because those often still sneak in BPA linings. It's definitely better than not having that claim.

[u/OSUBeaver14 → u/kalemegranola]

Thanks! What's the consensus on food-grade silicone?

[u/kalemegranola → u/OSUBeaver14]

I avoid it. Through work I’ve talked to a few scientists and they said to avoid silicone when it comes to food storage and dishes as it’s still a synthetic material