The Plastic Problem Shrunk. Literally.

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As Plastic Free July comes to an end, I’m curious: did you participate this year?

For a while, the plastic-free movement burned incredibly hot. Reusable straw companies were thriving, everyone carried an upcycled mason jar, and some people even collected all of their trash for years - what absolute weirdos!

Now, Plastic Free July feels more like a memory than something that still actively happens each year.

And maybe it has a thriving community that I’ve somehow just missed? Conversations around these causes on social media often feel like a ghost town thanks to a massive shift and push towards shopping content.

But the problem certainly hasn’t gone away. In fact it’s gotten bigger, and by that I mean… smaller.

When I started living zero waste more than a decade ago, I was mostly focused on the big 4 coined by none other than Plastic Free July: bags, bottles, straws, and coffee cups, but since then so much research has come out about microplastics in our water, air, brains, blood, even new born babies.

Even though I’m more relaxed than I used to be, these are a few ways I still try and be mindful and reduce my microplastic exposure.

natural materials:

I shop mostly secondhand for both clothing and home goods, which makes it easy to get a heck of a deal on natural materials. I look for things like real wood furniture, wool rugs, cotton cloths, and then wool, silk, linen, and cotton in my clothing.

I’m not a complete purist as sometimes I do believe a little bit of synthetic materials can actually help for structure and longevity (such as polyester thread, but more on that in another post) and for technical fabrics. Like things that are supposed to be water proof.

And, I’m definitely am not going to replace everything I already own, but it does help guide future purchases.

washing machines:

Clothing is a major consideration because synthetic fabrics can shed microfibers every time they are washed. I have a filter on my washing machine to help catch some of them, but honestly, I wish microfiber filters came standard on every washing machine.

This is the EXACT kind of problem that should not be left entirely up to individual consumers to solve.

gut health:

I try my best to eat a plant-rich/ high fiber diet. I LOVE beans, and have been taking a daily probiotic and women’s multi-vitamin (plus some other specific supplements based on my own blood work) for years.

We all know having good gut health is really important, but it’s even more important when it comes to helping move microplastics through your systems.

Even more fascinating is some preclincal testing certain strains of probiotics have an incredible ability to bind certain microplastic particles. So, I’ve been taking Winnow, a probiotic designed for that purpose.

And, Going Zero Waste readers can get 20% off with the code KK.

a mostly plastic free kitchen:

Now, if you read my post about how I’ve been hoarding peanut butter pretzel jars, you know I don’t have a fully plastic free kitchen. But, those jars only hold dry foods, and the risk for microplastics there is relatively small compared to wet foods, canned foods, or oils.

For all of those things, I prefer dried, frozen, or stored/bought in glass. Unless I have an extreme time crunch, I always make my beans from dry. It’s not only insanely cheaper, but it’s an easy way to avoid any microplastics.

I use stainless steel and ceramic cookware, and I use wooden utensils. A few times a year, I will wind up with a plastic takeout container container, but I will always place the food on a plate before heating it up in the microwave.

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I still care deeply about reducing plastic, but I no longer believe the goal should be creating a perfectly plastic-free life through an endless cycle of buying swaps.

The biggest wins are usually much less exciting: reducing what we buy, shopping secondhand, choosing better materials when something genuinely needs replacing, reusing what we already own, and supporting policies that address plastic at the source.

Plastic-free living may not be as trendy as it once was, but I don’t think the movement is dead. Maybe it is simply becoming more realistic?

Let me know, did you participate in Plastic Free July this year?

And, share this with a friend who wants some practical ways to reduce microplastics without trying to live a perfectly plastic-free life.

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Featured Posts:
Here are some relevant posts from the blog this week! goingzerowaste.com

📌 Want to reduce microplastics without overhauling your entire life?
Start with the places you interact with plastic most often: your kitchen, clothing, water, and everyday routines. This guide breaks down where microplastics come from and the practical changes that can make the biggest difference.

📌 Not all plastic is created equal.
If you’ve ever wondered what those little recycling numbers actually mean, this guide walks through the seven types of plastic, where you’ll find them, and which ones are worth avoiding when you have a choice.

📌 Curious about the probiotic I mentioned?
I took a closer look at Winnow, the research behind its microplastic-binding probiotic strains, how it compares to the probiotic I was already taking, and who I think it makes the most sense for.

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🎥 highlighted video of the week:

Plastic is hiding in a lot more places than you might think. In this video, I’m breaking down five everyday items that might shock you, with some of the simple swaps I recommend instead.

Whether you support this work by being a paid member, sharing, liking, or simply reading - I am so thankful you’re here. ❤️

Sincerely,
Kathryn
Going Zero Waste