You might not realise, but there's a plastic free alternative, or at least a minimal plastic one, for most things you use every day!
Based on Biome's experience sourcing and retailing plastic free products for 23 years, we've developed this comprehensive list of swaps and everyday habits that make a genuine difference.
**Note: It's rare to find a fully glass or stainless steel option when it needs to be leak-proof or air-tight, such as skin care, drink bottles and food containers. The seal or lid generally needs to be plastic or silicone. We take the practical approach that it's most important for the material that the product is coming into contact with to be plastic free.
Most of the plastic free alternatives in our guide can be found here on the Biome website. If we haven't linked them as yet, please just type into the Search bar above to find what you're looking for.
Start here: the highest-impact swaps
If you’re not sure where to begin, these are the changes that tend to make the biggest difference early on.
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1Stop heating food in plastic (microwave, dishwasher, takeaway containers)
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2Replace plastic food storage with glass or stainless steel
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3Switch from plastic-bottled body care to bars or glass jars (soap, shampoo, conditioner)
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4Replace synthetic fragrance products with natural or fragrance-free
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5Carry stainless steel or glass reusable drink bottles, coffee cups, cutlery.
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6Reduce synthetic fabrics in clothing and home
The Kitchen Checklist
Food storage
- Glass containers (all sizes for leftovers, meal prep)
- Stainless steel containers and lunchboxes
- Glass jars for pantry staples (grains, nuts, spices) - re-using old jars is fine!
- Beeswax wraps instead of cling film / plastic wrap
- Silicone lids (long-life, not disposable)
- Cloth bowl covers
- Paper bags or wax paper for short-term storage
- Reusable produce bags (cotton or mesh)
- Bread bags (cloth or paper-lined)
Food & shopping habits
- Buy loose produce instead of packaged
- Shop at bulk stores or refill shops
- Choose glass, cardboard or metal packaging over plastic
- Avoid pre-cut fruit and veg (often heavily packaged)
- Bring your own containers for takeaway
Food prep
- Wooden or bamboo cutting boards
- Avoid plastic chopping boards (microplastic shedding)
- Stainless steel knives and tools
- Stainless steel measuring spoons
- Stainless steel measuring cups
- Wooden spoons, spatulas, tongs
- Mortar and pestle instead of plastic tools
- Stainless steel ice cube tray
Cooking
- Cast iron pans
- Stainless steel cookware
- Ceramic cookware
- Glass baking dishes
- Avoid non-stick (PFAS coatings)
- Avoid plastic utensils in hot food
Drinks
- Stainless steel water bottles
- Glass water bottles
- Refillable water filters (glass or stainless systems)
- Loose-leaf tea (no plastic tea bags)
- Tea strainers (metal)
- Coffee plunger, stovetop or machine (no pods)
- Avoid bottled water and soft drinks
Cleaning
- Wooden dish brushes
- Replaceable-head dish brushes
- Natural fibre cloths (cotton, cellulose, Swedish dish cloths)
- Loofah sponges
- Dish soap bars
- Powder dishwasher detergent (cardboard packaging)
- Avoid synthetic sponges (microplastic shedding)
Often overlooked
- Chewing gum (most are plastic-based)
- Cling wrap and ziplock bags
- Plastic-coated baking paper
- Black plastic takeaway containers
- Plastic tea bags
- Bin liners (switch to compostable or reduce waste overall)
The Bathroom Checklist
Oral care
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Replaceable-head toothbrush systems
- Toothpaste tablets or powders
- Toothpaste in aluminium or glass
- Plastic-free floss (silk or plant-based)
- Avoid disposable floss picks
Note that there are no viable totally plastic free toothbrush bristles except for animal hair.
Hair care
- Shampoo bars
- Conditioner bars
- Solid hair treatments (masks, oils)
- Avoid plastic-heavy styling products
- Hair brushes with wooden handles and natural bristles
Face & Body care
- Bar soap (face + body)
- Solid body moisturisers
- Skin care in glass jars
- Body oils in glass bottles
- Natural deodorant (cardboard, metal, glass)
- Avoid aerosol sprays
Shaving
- Stainless steel safety razor
- Replaceable blades
- Shaving soap bars
- Avoid disposable razors
Skincare & beauty
- Minimal ingredient skincare
- Products in glass jars or metal tins
- Refillable makeup where possible
- Reusable cotton rounds
- Avoid sheet masks (plastic fibre)
- Avoid glitter (microplastics unless certified biodegradable)
Period care
- Menstrual cups
- Reusable cloth pads
- Period underwear
- Organic cotton tampons (plastic-free applicators)
Bathroom materials
- Natural fibre towels (cotton, bamboo, linen)
- Fabric shower curtains (avoid PVC)
- Wooden bath brushes
- Pumice stones instead of plastic tools
Everyday items people forget
- Cotton buds (choose paper or bamboo stems)
- Dental picks and flossers
- Disposable wipes (face, baby, cleaning)
- Synthetic sponges
- Air fresheners (often plastic + synthetic fragrance)
The Laundry Checklist
Washing
- Powder or liquid detergent in cardboard or refill formats
- Soap nuts (natural alternative)
- Avoid plastic-wrapped pods
- Choose fragrance-free or essential oil-based products
Drying
- Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets
- Air dry outdoors when possible
- Dry racks instead of plastic-heavy dryers where possible
Fabric care
- Avoid synthetic fabric softeners
- Use white vinegar as a natural softener
- Spot clean instead of frequent washing
- Wash full loads only
Microplastic reduction
- Choose natural fibre clothing
- Wash synthetic items less frequently
- Use microfibre-catching laundry bags or filters such as Guppyfriend
Often overlooked
- Dryer sheets (plastic + fragrance coating)
- Scent boosters (microplastic beads)
- Fabric softener liquids
- Synthetic lint brushes
The Bedroom Checklist
Bedding
- Organic cotton sheets
- Linen bedding
- Wool blankets and doonas
- Natural latex or wool pillows
Materials
- Avoid polyester, acrylic, nylon bedding
- Avoid memory foam where possible
- Choose natural mattresses (latex, wool, cotton layers)
Habits
- Air bedding regularly
- Reduce synthetic dust accumulation
The wardrobe checklist
Clothing choices
- Cotton, linen, hemp, wool
- Avoid polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastane-heavy blends
- Choose undyed or low-dye garments where possible
Buying habits
- Buy fewer, better-quality pieces
- Choose second-hand or vintage
- Repair instead of replacing
- Avoid fast fashion cycles
Care
- Wash less often
- Cold wash cycles
- Air dry instead of tumble drying
The Kids’ Room Checklist
Feeding
- Glass baby bottles
- Stainless steel bottles
- Silicone (high-grade) alternatives where needed
Soothing
- Natural rubber teethers
- Silicone pacifiers (medical-grade)
Changing
- Cloth nappies
- Reusable wipes (cloth)
- Organic cotton wipes
Clothing & bedding
- Organic cotton baby clothes
- Wool or cotton blankets
Toys
- Wooden toys
- Natural rubber toys
- Organic fabric toys
Play spaces
- Cotton or wool rugs
- Cork or natural play mats
- Avoid PVC foam mats
Bath time
- Mould-free bath toys
- Avoid squeeze toys that trap water
- Use cups and bowls instead of plastic toys
The Living Space Checklist
Air & environment
- Open windows daily
- Use indoor plants
- Avoid synthetic air fresheners and diffusers
- Beeswax unscented candles (paraffin free)
Cleaning
- Natural cleaning sprays
- Concentrates or refill systems
- Cloths made from cotton instead of microfibre
Materials
- Wooden furniture
- Metal, glass, ceramic materials
- Natural fibre upholstery (cotton, linen, wool)
- Avoid vinyl (PVC) furniture
Dust & microplastics
- Vacuum regularly (HEPA filter if possible)
- Wet dust instead of dry dusting
- Remove shoes indoors
Out & About Checklist
Everyday carry
- Reusable shopping bags
- Produce bags
- Stainless steel or glass water bottle
- Reusable coffee cup (glass or stainless)
- Reusable food containers
- Bamboo or stainless steel cutlery
- Cloth napkin or handkerchief
Eating out
- Decline plastic straws and cutlery
- Bring your own container for leftovers
- Choose dine-in instead of takeaway when possible
Travel
- Refillable toiletry bottles (non-plastic where possible)
- Solid toiletries (bars)
- Reusable travel containers
- Avoid hotel mini plastics
The Overlooked Checklist
From The Plastic Playbook by The Plastic Detox
These are the ones most people miss:
- Never heat food in plastic
- Avoid black plastic (often contains recycled e-waste)
- Avoid “fragrance” or “parfum” (synthetic chemical mix)
- Reduce synthetic fabrics (major source of microplastics)
- Avoid PVC (vinyl products, flooring, shower curtains)
- Skip chewing gum made from plastic
- Avoid thermal paper receipts (BPA/BPS)
- Reduce indoor dust (microplastics accumulate here)
- Avoid disposable wipes (baby, cleaning, beauty)
- Avoid glitter unless certified biodegradable
- Avoid synthetic sponges and cloths
- Be cautious with “compostable plastics” (often industrial-only)
Quick Checklist Summary
If you simplify everything:
- Plastic → glass, stainless steel, wood, natural fibres, beeswax or vegan wax
- Disposable → reusable
- Synthetic → natural
- Convenience → considered choices
Shop all Plastic Free Choices available at Biome
