5 Ways to be More Green

1. Ditch the plastic wrap & aluminum foil

Plastic wrap and aluminum foil are ultra-convenient for food prep and storage - but these little bits of waste take a toll on our environment. Switching to reusable products, like glass food storage containers, keeps food fresh and reduces plastic wate. 

While reusable options are fantastic alternatives to these food wraps, they don’t allow for the convenience of single-use plastic. Additionally, you may not want to re-use a food wrap that has been used on raw meats as it may spread contaminants. 

Instead of plastic wrap and foils, switch to HoldOn kitchen and storage bags. These plant-based, nontoxic bags are made without toxic chemicals and break down cleanly into the earth after use. They are certified home compostable, so you can even add them to your backyard home compost! If you’re cooking up a barbecue and want an easy-clean-up option for marinating meat, toss it all in a HoldOn bag and then discard it when you’re done without the guilt of plastic bags or wraps. 

2. Say goodbye to plastic bags

Much like plastic wrap and foil, plastic bags are super convenient when packing kids' snacks and lunches. However, these small bags take centuries to decompose and may leak toxic chemicals into food. HoldOn bags are plant-based and contain no harmful chemicals, so you can feel safe packing your child's snack in HoldOn bags, knowing you aren’t exposing them to toxins. Additionally, they break down quickly and cleanly and are certified home compostable. Just snip off the zip seal closure and toss both sections into the trash or compost - they’ll break down in weeks instead of the centuries it would take a plastic bag to decompose!

3. Upgrade your paper goods

Paper towels and toilet paper are a necessity - but a wasteful one. These paper goods are used just once and tossed, making them a poor use of the precious resource of trees. Instead of using traditional paper towels, choose a reusable, washable cloth or dishtowel to wipe up everyday messes. If you’re handling harmful chemicals or particularly germy materials (hello, new puppy potty training!), choose a paper towel made from bamboo or recycled paper, like Reel 100% recycled paper towels. 

Toilet paper, of course, is single-use. Thankfully, there are more sustainable alternatives than traditional toilet paper. For example, Reel bamboo toilet paper uses bamboo fibers, which are more sustainable to harvest (while still being super soft and absorbent!). Additionally, Reel paper never uses plastic packaging, making it a planet-friendly choice. 

4. Toss out your trash bag - for good

Trash bags can’t be swapped for a reusable option, but there are finally compostable options that are just as strong and durable as traditional plastic trash bags. For example, HoldOn bags feature a sturdy drawstring handle, and durable rip-resistant material while using only plant-based materials that 100% home compostable. So even if you are throwing away trash, your bag will break down in a landfill or compost in weeks rather than centuries. This change makes a simple, everyday chore into a meaningful moment to help the planet.

5. Drink up, sans plastic

Are you staying hydrated? Fantastic! Sipping on plastic bottled water? Not so much. Plastic bottled water contains microplastic - a lot of it, in fact - so when you drink bottled water, you’re likely drinking plastic. In addition to being harmful to your body, plastic bottles take centuries to decompose and add up. If you’re drinking the suggested 64 ounces of water each day, that equates to about four standard 16-ounce bottles each day, or 1460 bottles a year. 

Instead of drinking bottled water, switch to a refillable bottle made with metal or plastic. These options will keep plastic out of landfills and save more microplastic from entering your body!