Plastic pollution contaminates every corner of our planet, from oceans and soil to the air we breathe. It breaks down into micro- and nanoplastics, releasing thousands of harmful chemicals linked to hormonal disruption, neurological issues, aquatic toxicity, and declining fertility. Choosing simple plastic‑free swaps helps limit exposure, reduce waste, and protect both environmental and human health. Small changes add up and together they make a big impact.
Why Plastic Free Living Matters
I think it’s obvious to everyone that plastic pollution is a problem. Some people choose to ignore that problem, while others dive in head first. Wherever you are on the spectrum of plastic free living, we are here to guide you and offer information on why this is so important to us.
Why We Care
The short answer? We live here.
It might seem right on the nose, but I think we often forget that this is our planet, it belongs to all of us. Nobody else is going to take care of it, it’s up to us. The ironic part is that it’s us creating waste that we then have to clean up.
At The Waste Less Shop, we are a team united on the belief that we love this planet, respect it, and want to see it thrive. Not only do we want to see it thrive, but are ready to take action in our own lives and communities to make progress toward a cleaner and greener planet. On this journey, we have met countless others who share the same goal and have created our own community of earth-loving and free-spirited people, right here in Northern Nevada.
What is Plastic Pollution?
Plastic pollution refers to the excess amount of plastic waste ranging from large plastic pieces down to micro- and nanoplastics, as well as the chemicals used to make specific types of plastics. Plastic Pollution has been found in all parts of the world, including remote areas once thought to be untouched by human kind. 
Why is Plastic Pollution a Problem?
Let's start with what is on and in plastic that makes it a big environmental and public health issue.
Plastic is treated with chemicals
Recent studies have looked at about 7,000 different types of chemicals that could have harmful effects on the environment and human health. 3,200 of them were found to have hazardous properties. Some of the major concerns related to the chemicals are its aquatic toxicity, meaning it can damage marine and aquatic life, and the water.
Many of them are also regarded as high concern for being endocrine disrupters, meaning they can cause hormone issues. Women and children are most vulnerable to these chemicals, especially during development stages. It has been shown to cause neurological and behavioral problems when exposed in the fetus stage. While women and children are the most vulnerable, in recent research it has come out that there is an impact on male infertility as well.
When are these chemicals released?
The chemicals of concern can be released during all stages of the plastic life cycle. This includes extraction of raw materials, production, usage and disposal.
Physical Plastic
The physical property of plastic is also of major concern for pollution. Plastic is not made to break down quickly, therefore it takes hundreds of years for it to break down- into smaller pieces. That’s why we have terms like micro- and nanoplastics. Microplastics are 5mm or the size of a pencil eraser to about 1 nanometer. Nanoplastics are smaller than 1 micrometer, making them so small you need special equipment to see them.
These particles become so small that they get into our water, soil, food, and air. It is almost impossible to avoid. That’s why limiting our exposure, and working to prevent even further pollution is so important.
Unfortunately, although the amount of microplastics found in the human body has more than doubled in the last ten years, we are still unsure of all the long term effects of this. The reason being is that there is no control group, they have not found a person without any microplastics in them to determine the adverse effects. 
What Can We Do?
How can we limit our exposure to plastic in our day to day lives?
Beeswax Wraps
Instead of using plastic wrap to cover your food, consider using beeswax wraps. These wraps are reusable, biodegradable, and can be easily cleaned with cold water and mild soap. They are perfect for wrapping sandwiches, covering bowls, and keeping fruits and vegetables fresh.
Refillable Cleaning Products
Many cleaning products come in plastic bottles that are discarded after use. Look for stores that offer refill stations for cleaning supplies like dish soap, laundry detergent, and all-purpose cleaners. By refilling your containers, you can significantly reduce plastic waste.
Reusable Drink Containers
Ditch disposable plastic bottles and cups by investing in reusable options made from stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. These materials are not only eco-friendly but also help maintain the temperature of your beverages. Try this Glass Cold Cup.
Natural Loofahs
Did you know that there are plants called loofahs? They are dried out and used as bath sponges. They work just as well as a plastic loofah and are 100% biodegradable. You can also use them as kitchen sponges!
Heres how you can get started:
- Make a plastic free swap today, purchase any item from our store to kick start your journey.
- Sign up for our membership to receive all of our plastic free cleaning concentrates, free seasonal gifts, and 10% off every purchase and free online shipping.
- Follow our instagram or facebook @thewastelessshop to stay in the loop!
