When we think about plastic, the obvious culprits like water bottles, shopping bags, and food packaging come to mind. These items are at the forefront of plastic pollution, making it easy to pinpoint them as areas where we can reduce our use. But plastic is a sneaky material that often hides in plain sight, embedded in everyday items you’d never suspect. From household products to clothing, plastic has infiltrated our lives in ways that might surprise you. Let’s dive into some of the unexpected places plastic lurks and how we can minimize its impact.
1. Clothing
You might be wearing plastic right now without even realizing it. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex are all synthetic fibers derived from—you guessed it—plastic. These materials dominate the fashion industry because they’re cheap, durable, and versatile. However, every time you wash clothes made from synthetic fibers, tiny microplastics shed into the water system, contributing to unrecoverable plastic pollution.
What You Can Do:
- Opt for natural fibers like cotton, linen, or hemp when possible.
- Use a microplastic catching bag or filter on your washing machine when washing synthetic fabrics.
2. Tea Bags
Yes, even your soothing cup of tea might come with a side of plastic. Many modern tea bags, especially those fancy pyramid-shaped ones, contain polypropylene to help seal the bag. When steeped in hot water, these tea bags can release microplastics into your drink—something you definitely didn’t order.
What You Can Do:
- Look for brands that use biodegradable or plastic-free tea bags.
- Better yet, switch to loose-leaf tea and use a stainless steel or bamboo infuser.
3. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum might seem harmless, but it’s essentially plastic you chew on. The base of most chewing gums is made from synthetic polymers, which are forms of plastic. That sticky piece that someone spit out on the sidewalk? It can take hundreds of years to decompose.
What You Can Do:
- Seek out natural gum made from chicle, a plant-based alternative.
- Check labels for “plastic-free” or “natural gum” options.
4. Receipts
Receipts may look like innocent slips of paper, but many are coated with a thin layer of plastic to make them resistant to smudging. This coating often contains bisphenol A (BPA) or bisphenol S (BPS), which are endocrine disruptors. So, not only do these receipts contribute to plastic waste, but they can also be harmful to your health just from handling them.
What You Can Do:
- Say no to receipts when possible, opting for digital versions instead if needed.
- Wash your hands after handling receipts to minimize exposure to BPA/BPS.
5. Glitter
Glitter is often made from tiny pieces of plastic coated in aluminum. These sparkly bits are classified as microplastics, which means they easily find their way into waterways, harming marine life. Sure, glitter looks fun, but it has an ugly environmental side.
What You Can Do:
- Choose biodegradable glitter made from plant-based materials.
- Choose cosmetics that use mica- a naturally occurring mineral dust
- Skip glitter altogether and embrace the natural glow!
6. Disposable Coffee Cups
While disposable coffee cups look like they’re made of paper, most are lined with a thin layer of plastic to make them waterproof. This plastic layer makes them notoriously difficult to recycle with billions ending up in landfills every year. Not to mention, the chemicals potentially being released into your hot beverage.
What You Can Do:
- Bring your own reusable cup when grabbing coffee.
- Support coffee shops that use fully compostable cups.
7. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes, including baby wipes, cleaning wipes, makeup-removing wipes, and even doggy wipes, often contain plastic fibers to make them strong and tear-resistant. When flushed or thrown away, these wipes contribute to pollution and can clog sewage systems. You don’t need to rely on store-bought wipes—
What You Can Do:
- They should NEVER be flushed- even if they say flushable! If you absolutely need disposable, they're better in a landfill than clogging up and polluting our waterways.
- BETTER option; Make your own at home is simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.
8. Personal Care Products
From toothpaste to exfoliating scrubs, many personal care products have historically contained micro beads—tiny plastic particles designed to scrub your skin or teeth. While bans on micro beads have been implemented in many countries, some products may still contain them, especially in regions without strict regulations.
What You Can Do:
- Read labels carefully and avoid products with polyethylene or polypropylene.
- Choose natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, or crushed walnut shells.
- Shop from reliably sustainable companies *wink wink
9. Sponges
The everyday kitchen sponge is often made of polyurethane, a type of plastic. While these sponges are great for cleaning, they shed microplastics with every use and cannot be recycled.
What You Can Do:
- Switch to natural sponges made from plant materials like loofah or cellulose.
- Consider reusable cleaning cloths or bamboo brushes as an alternative.
10. Food Containers and Cans
Even if a food container looks like it’s made of cardboard or tin, it might have a hidden plastic lining. Canned goods, for example, often have a thin plastic coating inside to prevent rust or contamination. This lining can sometimes leach chemicals into your food.
What You Can Do:
- Store food in glass or stainless steel containers at home.
- Choose fresh or frozen foods over canned options when possible.
- Avoid canned tomatoes in particular- the acidity of tomatoes can cause BPA to leach into the food.
Plastics are everywhere—sometimes in places you’d never think to look. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid plastic altogether in today’s world, awareness is the first step toward making more sustainable choices. By opting for alternatives, reducing consumption, and advocating for change, we can chip away at our collective reliance on plastic and move toward a healthier planet.
What about you? Were any of these hidden plastic culprits a surprise? Let’s start a conversation in the comments about how we can all reduce our plastic footprints, one unsuspecting item at a time.