The ubiquity of plastic is a signature of the modern world, a polluting legacy we need to reverse by using fewer new plastic products and choosing recycled plastic for those household items we need.
Half of all plastic produced is for single-use purposes, according to the National Resources Defense Council. The longer we keep the plastic we have in use, the less of it we need to make from raw petroleum. Choosing long-lasting recycled plastic products can help reduce your environmental impact.
Here are six long-lasting household items made from recycled plastic that can help keep existing plastic in use instead of the landfill.
Earthwise Reusable Grocery Bag (5-pack)
Earthwise manufactures durable reusable grocery bags made using recycled PET plastic from single-use plastic bottles and 100% organic cotton. Earthwise also provides complete supply chain transparency and follows strict anti-toxins standards, including Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) Toxics and California’s Proposition 65 regulations.
The Earthwise Reusable Grocery Bag is a five-pack of extra-large grocery bags that can be used up to 1,000 times each, according to the company. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the 13.5-inches by 15-inches bags are water-resistant and durable, suitable for all types of shopping. What better way to use recycled plastic than by refusing to choose single-use plastic shopping bags?
D.F. Omer 110-Gallon Garden Composter
Composting can be easy with the right bin. Choosing a recycled plastic compost bin lets you combine a passion for preservation with your green thumb. When you send food waste to the landfill, it contributes to methane emissions. Composting your food waste produces fewer CO2 emissions because it does not create methane, a gas with 28 to 34 times the warming capacity of CO2.
The D.F. Omer 110-gallon Garden Composter is made of BPA-free premium recycled plastic to prevent contamination of your compost. This hassle-free composter is designed to provide optimal aeration so you can just put your food scraps and yard waste in the top and shovel out the finished compost from the bottom. This durable polypropylene bin should last a long time, but at the end of its useful life, be sure to recycle it. Just search the Earth911 recycling database for #5 rigid plastics to find a recycling location near you.
Honey-Can-Do Lightweight Recycled Plastic Hangers (60-pack)
Honey-Can-Do makes life easier with a range of home improvement products to organize your home or office space. Though not a sustainable brand, many of Honey-Can-Do’s products are made from recycled plastic and last long enough under normal use to keep the plastic out of landfills for years. And they are recyclable when they break. One such product is Honey-Can-Do Lightweight Recycled Plastic Hangers.
The pack contains 60 lightweight hangers made from recycled plastic. With built-in clothing hooks, these hangars help you to maximize your closet space. They’re available in black and blue and come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Bamboo Naturals Evriholder Heavy-Duty Scrub Brush
Bamboo Naturals by Evriholder use organic bamboo and recycled materials to produce home and kitchen cleaning products, such as sponges, wipes, brushes, and dusters. Bamboo Natural’s Greenery Collection includes sustainable products that help you with your household cleaning while minimizing your environmental impact.
The Bamboo Naturals Evriholder Heavy Duty Scrub Brush is made from recycled plastic with a sustainable, mildew-resistant bamboo handle. This all-purpose scrubber can handle everything from dirty dishes to tough cleanups around the home.
HDPE-MAT Heavy Duty Waterproof Front Door Mat
Add an elegant touch to your home with the HDPE-MAT Heavy Duty Waterproof Front Door Mat. Made from recycled polyethylene and secured with stainless steel wire, the mat looks like wood but does not rot, splinter, or need painting. It measures 36-inch x 22-inch x 0.6-inch and is made in the USA.
The mat resists breakdown caused by UV light to prevent plastic from ending up in the soil around your home. At the of life, the #2 HDPE plastic can be recycled by separating the plastic slats from the steel wire that holds the mat together. The mat is easy to clean and can withstand all four seasons with ease.
ECOstorage 12-Gallon Flip Lid Recycled Plastic Storage Container (4-pack)
ECOStorage produces containers of various sizes and designs, all made from 99% recycled materials, and uses over 15 million pounds of recycled plastic annually. Each ECOstorage container keeps 3 pounds of plastic from entering landfills, the company claims.
The ECOstorage 12-Gallon Flip Lid Recycled Plastic Storage Containers have a textured hinged flip lid design and four-way handles for ease of use. This four-pack of recycled plastic containers efficiently nests together for storage. With interior dimensions of 17. 42-inch x 12. 24-inch x 11. 72-inch, the sturdy containers work well for everything from storing work materials to carrying heavy groceries to hauling your recyclables to the recycling center.
Choose Recycled, Not Virgin Plastic
Deleting plastic entirely from your life isn’t an easy task, but you can reduce its impact by using products made from recycled plastic. A 2018 study by the Association of Plastic Recyclers found that manufacture of recycled plastic requires between 79% and 88% less energy compared to virgin plastics.
When shopping for your home, consider products made of recycled plastic to help support recycling efforts. Then, take care of the products so that they last and keep the plastic out of circulation. And at the end of the product’s life, be sure to recycle it. Keep the circular flow going.