1. Bar Soap in Talavera Soap Dishes
Reducing plastic use is not only good for the environment—it can also be surprisingly satisfying and fun. One of my most recent changes was eliminating plastic liquid hand soap bottles altogether, including both pump bottles and large refill containers. That’s a lot of plastic over the course of a year. My solution was simple and enjoyable: I bought beautiful Talavera soap dishes from local Mexican shops and switched to bar soap for handwashing at the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Fill Talavera Pump Dispensers
With "Platos" Dishwashing Detergent
I now fill my Talavera pump dispensers with dishwashing detergent—my new Platos liquid soap. Guests who prefer liquid soap can use this option, and it works beautifully: it creates just enough suds, cleans well, and rinses easily. Keeping it in a decorative dispenser also makes dishwashing detergent readily available for scrubbing pots. I’m especially pleased that "Platos" brand dishwashing soap is plastic-free and biodegradable, and I share more about it below.
2. Toothpaste Tablets in a Plastic-Free Container
I wish I had discovered toothpaste tablets sooner! Muyme ships 90
tablets in a completely plastic-free can, available through Amazon Mรฉxico,
making it easy to eliminate traditional toothpaste tubes from daily life.
According to Google, globally around 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown
away each year, with some estimates as high as 20 billion annually
due to their mixed plastic and foil layers that can’t be recycled. In the U.S.
alone, more than 400 million tubes end up in landfills every year, where
they can take centuries to decompose.
These tablets feel like a small but
meaningful step toward reducing plastic waste—and they’re practical and
delightful to use. I love the fresh flavor, the simplicity, and the compact
size that makes them perfect for travel.
3. I've Switched to Compostable Zipper Bags!
Available at La Comer Stores
4. My
First Bamboo Toothbrush Ordered from La Comer
Others
Available from Amazon—What Do You Like?
Plastic
toothbrushes can take up to 500 years to break down. They don’t fully
decompose—instead, they fragment into microplastics that can pollute ecosystems
and waterways for centuries.
Globally,
roughly 23 billion toothbrushes are discarded annually, according
to National Geographic and other sources. Since most of these are not
recyclable, they likely end up in a landfill or are incinerated. Each one of
us can make a positive environmental impact with this small change.
5. I Purchased More Pyrex Dishes to Eliminate Plastic Wrap
And Replace Styrofoam Restaurant To-Go Containers
Yes,
I bring my Pyrex bowls to the meat market for chicken, beef, and pork—and to
restaurants so I can pack up half my meal to take home. It’s a simple habit
that helps the environment and saves me money. I also use these bowls for
freezer storage instead of plastic freezer bags, which cuts down on waste and
makes reheating frozen meals much easier.
6. Nutrisa Frozen Yogurt in Waxed Paper Carton
No Plastic, Not Even in the
Lid!I’ve written before about reducing our plastic usage, but it’s been a while.
My earlier post, "ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT Lesson 101: 10 Ways We Reduced Ours When We Retired in Mexico", was published on March 9, 2017, shortly after we moved to
Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico.
Even eight years ago, we were already making
changes: buying milk and juices in waxed paper cartons and trying to cut back
on plastic containers. I even made my own yogurt at home for a while, but we
ate it too fast, and I eventually tired of the long process.
7. Our Juice and Milk Cartons 8 Years Ago
The Cartons Have Changed But Still Eco-Friendly
๐ฑ I Want to Reduce Plastic Usage — More. ๐
One small change I’ve made recently: I stopped buying yogurt in plastic containers. Instead, I discovered Nutrisa Frozen
Yogurt, which comes in two delicious flavors, Mora (Blackberry) and Taro.
To my surprise, Taro has become my
favorite! It pairs beautifully with bananas, mangos, pineapple, and even cooked
cinnamon apples with cranberries. ๐
Fruit Smoothie from Ingredients Packaged in Paper
For breakfast, I’ve been adding two small
scoops of Nutrisa to a bowl of fruit, granola, and chopped walnuts. It’s
creamy, refreshing, and so satisfying. Nutrisa claims it contains live
cultures, so I feel like it’s a healthy alternative to regular or Greek yogurt, plus, it blends perfectly into smoothies.๐
8. Purchase Drinks and Food in Glass Containers
I say, "No plastico por favor." With a little extra effort, I have found all the drinks and food I need in glass or cans. I even found almond butter packaged in glass jars from Amazon Mexico.
Recently, I watched the documentary “A Plastic Ocean.” It opened my eyes.
Seeing the heartbreaking impact of plastic on our oceans, wildlife, and
ultimately our own bodies has motivated me to make a difference—one small, mindful
choice at a time.
♻️ Going Beyond
Yogurt: My Next Plastic-Free Goal
My next goal was to eliminate buying dishwashing and laundry detergent
in plastic bottles. I discovered a Mexican company called Desplastifรญcate, which translates to “Deplasticize.”
I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about their products. But
after trying them, I’ve realized their soaps are worth every peso!
9. “Platos”: The Name of the Dishwashing Soap Available on Amazon Mรฉxico, Platos proudly promotes a simple mission: “Go
plastic-free with our scented dish soap. Unlike liquid or powder cleaners, it
won’t pollute water.”
I can vouch for that claim! The scent is light,
refreshing, and best of all, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. ๐ธ
10. Ropa: The Name of their Laundry Detergent
๐ “Ropa” — My New
Favorite Laundry Soap
I especially love the “Ropa” laundry detergent by Desplastifรญcate!
I used it for two weeks before writing this article to make sure it wouldn’t
cause any skin irritation like most detergents do—and it didn’t. ๐ฟ
At first, I didn’t believe their claim of “No rinsing required.”
I’ve always had to run my laundry through an extra rinse with my low-water
washer when using other soaps, but not with Ropa!
Not only does it eliminate the need for those huge plastic bottles of
detergent, it also saves water, electricity, and wear-and-tear on clothing.
It’s a win all around. Next time, I’ll be ordering the four-pack from Amazon! ๐งบ
๐ Every Small Change Counts
Reducing plastic has become more than a goal for me—it’s a mindful practice that connects my daily choices to the health of our planet. Each time I find a new way to replace plastic with something reusable or biodegradable, I feel a little lighter and more hopeful about the future.
Have you found creative ways to reduce plastic in your daily life? ♻️
I’ll be adding more ideas to this article in the coming weeks, and I’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments. Together, we can inspire each other—because every small change truly counts. ๐
๐ Thank You for Reading
Thank you for reading my articles and following along on this journey.
Writing about these small, meaningful lifestyle changes keeps me accountable
and connected to others who care about our planet.
For more lessons I’ve learned along the way, please take a look at my
Healthy Living in Mexico books, where I share stories, insights, and practical
tips from my life here in Mexico. ๐ด๐
Jon and Terry on a Day Trip
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