Our Sustainability Editor's Guide to (Actually) Going Plastic-Free

New York Times

12-05-2025

What does reducing plastic waste look like? It's different for everyone. My advice: Don't chase perfection. It's admirable to go 100% plastic-free, but it's impractical, and even impossible, for the vast majority of us. Instead, start small. Pick a routine or a room and go from there. Here are some ideas: Group online purchases. If you regularly order stuff online, group purchases from retailers like Amazon and opt for slower delivery. This helps reduce packaging waste (and greenhouse gas emissions).
If you regularly order stuff online, group purchases from retailers like Amazon and opt for slower delivery. This helps reduce packaging waste (and greenhouse gas emissions). Pack a reusable shopping bag. Keep shopping totes where you won't forget them — so you'll actually use them. A packable tote, like this one, is compact enough to stash in an everyday bag. If you drive to the store, keep your totes in the trunk of your car so they're always available.
Keep shopping totes where you won't forget them — so you'll actually use them. A packable tote, like this one, is compact enough to stash in an everyday bag. If you drive to the store, keep your totes in the trunk of your car so they're always available. Buy bulk, refillable, or solid goods. This includes soaps, detergents, and shampoos — you'll run through less plastic packaging over a lifetime shopping this way. You can also opt for cardboard packaging (like some of our favorite dish detergents), which has a higher likelihood of being recycled than plastic.
This includes soaps, detergents, and shampoos — you'll run through less plastic packaging over a lifetime shopping this way. You can also opt for cardboard packaging (like some of our favorite dish detergents), which has a higher likelihood of being recycled than plastic. Pack a to-go mug, bottle, or tumbler. We have recommendations for glass and stainless steel containers if you want to avoid drinking from plastic.
We have recommendations for glass and stainless steel containers if you want to avoid drinking from plastic. Use plastic-free items you already own. We often go looking for a one-to-one swap for the single-use plastic item we want to replace. But you can also use what you already have. My favorite swaps for cling-wrap in the fridge: Put a plate on top of a bowl — or just reuse a pickle jar to store food.
Another good time to think about going plastic-free is once it's time to upgrade something in your home. Sometimes, a plastic-free item is more expensive upfront, but you're often getting durability, repairability, and even lifetime use in return. We have lots of ideas for kitchen utensils and bathroom swaps to get you started. Think in terms of textiles, too — polyester or nylon can be swapped for a more breathable natural fiber next time you're in need of new jeans.
Wirecutter's experts are considering plastic — both waste and potential risks — in making recommendations every day. Our guides to the best baby bottles, food storage containers, and feeding tools for babies and kids all have prioritized making great plastic-free recommendations. In some cases — like our guide to the best dog poop bags — we've eliminated products from the running that are 100% virgin plastic when there are high-quality, high-value alternatives, even when it's complicated.
Still, the truth is there are many areas where plastic-free options that meet our standards do not exist yet. And there are still others where plastic, for all its problems, is just one of many environmental impacts we have to consider.
One last shopping tip from me? I like to pause for at least 24 hours before buying anything unplanned. It helps me save money and contribute less to needless waste. If you get overwhelmed, zoom out. At its core, reducing is about shopping more slowly, maintaining and repairing what you have, and considering secondhand or refurbished options.