Reducing plastic consumption is a concept that became serious last year. Many then tackled this, but not all plastic is toxic, and there are as many types of plastic as there are mosquitoes in the summer, so it is absolutely not easy. Therefore, we have put together some simple tips on how you can do it and how you can get a start on the project because it really is a project.
Reducing plastic consumption basically means that you remove plastic items from your home, because plastic can contain harmful chemicals.
We should immediately mention that there is legislation that makes certain plastic items free from harmful chemicals, such as toys, so a good tip when buying toys is to read the packaging carefully. If the toy is free from toxins, it will say so on the packaging.

Unfortunately, plastic is usually made from non-renewable raw materials, such as crude oil. That doesn't fit in with our thinking about cycles and reuse, BUT at the same time it would be very difficult to live completely without plastic. Just think of the computer you are using now... it would be quite clumsy if it were made of wood, right?!
It is therefore important to reduce all unnecessary plastic and think about two things when you buy things: Environmental impact and health, is the product now, or as waste, bad for nature? Is the plastic product dangerous for my or someone else's health?

This is how you reduce your plastic consumption in 10 easy steps

1. – Replace kitchen utensils made of plastic. Especially the black ones. (The carcinogenic substance methylene dianiline is found in black amide plastic, which plastic spatulas, for example, are often made of) Heat makes plastic more easily release dangerous substances, and in the kitchen it ends up directly in our food and we get it straight into the body. (Feel free to Google, there are studies and reports online about heat/plastic) Old plastic items are often worse than new ones and release more toxins. Switch to wood and metal!
2. Also replace non-stick frying pans with cast iron (non-stick often contains PFOA which is suspected to be carcinogenic). This also applies to baking molds with a Teflon coating.
3. To avoid: Also avoid canned goods with a plastic-lined interior (Where it does not explicitly state that it is an OK plastic on the inside)
   Also avoid glass jars that have metal lids with a soft inside / sealing strip of plastic. If you have such jars, they should be stored upright so that the contents do not come into contact with the food.
4. Do not run plastic in the microwave oven – transfer to porcelain or glass before heating in the microwave oven.
5. Remember PET, and look for PET when you shop, it is a good plastic. PET plastic is one of our most common plastics, it is also harmless as long as no substance has been added, but that is unusual. PET plastic is the plastic that, for example, beverage bottles are made of – however, it should not be run in the microwave oven and it should ALWAYS be sorted. (Västerbottenssåpa's all packaging is made of PET plastic)
6. Things for our little ones, baby bottles, cutlery, mug and plate are often made of plastic. Replace them! Good alternatives can be found at Lapland EcoStore
7. Replace cutting boards in plastic, dish brush and dishcloth with environmentally friendly and non-toxic alternatives in natural materials. Cutting boards made of wood have an undeservedly bad reputation, you clean them easily and effectively with soap, warm water and a dishcloth in rice root. Dishcloths are available in compostable versions that can also withstand machine washing, and the dish brush in wood is easily cleaned with soap and the dishcloth in rice root so it is fresh again. Available at Västerbottenssåpa Cutting boards will be in stock in mid-January.
8. Change your mindset! Always think health and environment when you shop. Always ask yourself the question: Is there a better alternative? If it is more expensive, choose less but better.
9. Bring your own bag to the store – In Sweden, we use about 100 plastic bags per person per year.
10. Talk to the children. Explain this about dangerous plastics to them – children are often both wise and committed. The children will help you reduce plastic, keep an eye on plastic bags so that they do not end up in nature and when they understand for themselves they will think it is quite fun to reduce plastic consumption.
    The girls in the picture have just replaced lots of plastic brushes with some really good brushes made of wood and it was actually really fun!

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  Cleaning set for hair brushes of all kinds - available at Västerbottenssåpa.

  
  
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  Cleaning set for hair brushes of all kinds - available at Västerbottenssåpa.

  
  
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  Soft baby brush in beech wood with goat hair bristles. Available at Västerbottenssåpa.

  
  
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  Cleaning set for hair brushes of all kinds - available at Västerbottenssåpa.

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