Every day you have an amazing opportunity to wake up and choose the healthiest options for yourself, your family, and the earth. You have the power to make a real difference, reduce single-use plastics in your life, and set an example for others to do the same! It all starts with saying goodbye to the items you don’t truly need and finding safer alternatives. Keep reading to discover our picks for the worst single-use plastics of the bunch — and what to welcome into your life instead!

Water Bottles

At the top of our list is an infamous culprit — plastic water bottles! In order to stay healthy, you need to drink a whole lot of water every day. That adds up to a whopping amount of unnecessary plastic waste. Not to mention microplastics contaminating your water. Instead, we urge everyone to purchase a 100% plastic-free water bottle that can last a lifetime — like the ones from Pura Stainless! Every Pura product is made entirely from food service grade stainless steel and medical grade silicone. Plus, each and every one is Made Safe® Certified, free of over 80,000 toxins!

Straws

For every iced coffee run, soda, or slurpee (and even water at most restaurants), you are likely to be offered a plastic straw that you don’t even need! That’s why we recommend saying “no thank you” when you order your beverages and bringing along your favorite eco-friendly alternative. There are so many wonderful options out there that you truly won’t miss the plastic. Check out this blog to find the perfect swap for you!

Grocery Packaging

Grocery stores are filled with plastic. Everywhere you look, you are sure to find containers of fruit, nuts, cereals, and so much more, all sold to you in plastic bags or boxes! Luckily, you can reduce single-use plastic waste by bringing along your own reusable bags to hold your groceries, provide your own container at the deli counter, and whenever possible, choose eco-friendly stores with reusable containers or bulk bins. Even better, shop at your local farmer’s market!

Plastic Bags

From the checkout stand of most stores to your favorite restaurant to-go orders, you are likely to be given an unnecessary plastic bag. Just as bad, you might also use zipper plastic bags or cling wrap for storing your food at home! But not to worry, there are really easy swaps to reduce single use plastic waste, simply by choosing to keep reusable cloth bags with you for shopping and pick ups. Then, replace your plastic food storage bags and wraps with silicone zipper bags and beeswax bags instead!

Tea Bags

This one is sneaky! Yes, those seemingly innocent bags of tea often contain plastic. When you pour hot water over them, you are releasing microplastics into your cup and ingesting them sip by sip. So, what can you do? Make the simple, and cost effective switch to loose leaf teas. Use a stainless steel or silicone tea strainer and voila! Not a tea drinker? Swap your coffee pods or capsules for the reusable stainless steel option — another great way to save money and have more options to choose from when it comes to your morning brew!

To-Go Cups and Containers

Every time you order your meal or a beverage to go, you are likely to receive a plastic or styrofoam cup or container that gets tossed away only an hour later. While many restaurants and cafes may not support you bringing your own reusables, many do! When you can, support your favorite eco-friendly spots that encourage bringing your own or have reusable to-go containers that you can rent and bring back next time you order. Or, better yet, dine in instead! When it comes time to take your leftovers home, be sure to bring along Pura’s 100% plastic-free lunch containers and insulated lunch jars!

At Pura Stainless, our mission is to create the best eco-friendly products so you can say goodbye to unnecessary waste and hello to a healthier, more sustainable life. That is why we created the safest reusable water bottles on the market and the healthiest food storage containers you’ll find — all to give you options for every member of your family. We hope this guide introduced you to a few single-use plastic alternatives that make the switch that much easier. Visit our website to shop now!