One of our sustainability partnes, Grove, recently premiered a new documentary on Netflix, The Plastic Detox, which investigates the consequences of exposure to microplastics. The producers of this film and others have been sounding the alarm about the risks plastics pose to both humans and the environment and why we all need to take steps to reduce plastic waste.

The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire lifestyle to make a difference. Learning how to reduce plastic waste—and being more intentional about what you bring into your routine—can have a meaningful impact over time.

Why reducing plastic waste matters for you and the planet

Plastic has become so pervasive in our day-to-day lives—from packaging and shipping materials to the products we use every day, that it’s become an afterthought. But unlike many materials, plastic never truly disappears. It breaks down into smaller particles, often called microplastics, that persist in the environment.

Multiple studies have shown that microplastics are commonly detected in human tissues and organs, and that they enter our bodies from multiple entry points—air, food and water. While researchers continue to study the long-term implications for humans, The Plastic Detox reveals some startling findings.

At the same time, global plastic production now exceeds 450 million tons each year, with one to two million tons entering our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

The benefits of reducing plastic waste are both environmental and personal—helping limit long-term pollution while reducing everyday exposure to microplastics, an area of increasing focus in human health research. 

Where plastic shows up in our daily routines

Plastic has become so embedded in everyday life that it often goes unnoticed. Even those who aim to make more sustainable choices can underestimate just how frequently it appears.

Plastic is commonly found in:

Beauty and personal care packaging

Single-use tubes, compacts, pumps, and dispensers, along with items like mascara wands, foundation bottles, and skincare containers designed to be replaced rather than reused.

Bath and shower essentials

Shampoo and conditioner bottles, body wash containers, razors, loofahs and product caps that are used daily and discarded frequently.

Shipping and delivery materials

Bubble wrap, padded mailers, air pillows and protective packaging that often gets used once and thrown away.

Kitchen storage and takeout packaging

Plastic wrap, bags, food storage containers and single-use takeout containers, utensils, straws and lids that quickly add up over time.

Everyday convenience items

Wipes and cotton rounds packaging, applicators, travel-size products and other grab-and-go items designed for short-term use.

Once you start to notice it, the pattern becomes hard to ignore—and so do the opportunities to reduce plastic waste in the routines you repeat every day.

How to reduce plastic waste in everyday life

Reducing plastic waste doesn’t require a complete lifestyle reset. One of the most effective ways to make lasting change is to look at your daily routine and notice where plastic shows up most. Here are several areas to consider:

Your beauty routine

This is often one of the biggest sources of hidden plastic—compacts, tubes, pumps and applicators designed for daily use and quick disposal. The next time you run out of mascara, lip balm, shampoo or toothpaste consider choosing products with packaging designed to be reused or recycled rather than replaced. Prioritizing brands that are thoughtful about packaging also makes a difference.

Because these are products you use every day, even small changes here and there can have an outsized impact.

Your kitchen

Plastic often shows up in the name of convenience—wraps, storage, and packaging designed to be used once and discarded. Many of the kitchen utensils, cutting boards and gadgets we use are also made of plastic.

Start by rethinking how food is stored and packaged. For example, glass and wooden vessels are a great alternative. If you need to purchase or replace a cooking utensil, look for bamboo, wood and metal options, choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging and donate plastic items you can’t recycle when possible.

Your daily habits

Some of the most consistent sources of plastic come from habits you rarely think about.

These can include:

• Single-use items you reach for automatically.
• Travel-size or convenience products.
• Packaging that comes with everyday purchases.
• Takeout containers from your favorite restaurant.

Awareness here is powerful—once you recognize the patterns, it becomes easier to reduce plastic waste without overthinking it.

Your shipping and deliveries

Even when you make more intentional purchases, packaging can accumulate quickly. Look for brands that minimize unnecessary materials and use packaging designed to be reused or easily recycled. You can also minimize plastic waste by opting for fewer, larger orders instead of frequent small shipments.

Small changes, long-term impact of reducing plastic waste

It’s easy to feel like individual choices don’t matter but they do. Plastic pollution is cumulative, which means the solutions are too. Every product you choose, every refill you make, every piece of packaging you avoid makes a small impact that compounds over time.

And while research continues to evolve, what’s clear is that reducing plastic waste is one of the most direct ways individuals can reduce both environmental impact and everyday exposure.

Progress—not perfection—is what moves things forward.

A more thoughtful approach to beauty

One of the easiest places to start reducing plastic waste is with the products you use every day. Beauty routines, in particular, are often built around convenience—products designed to be used quickly, replaced frequently and packaged for single use. Over time, that adds up to a steady stream of plastic waste tied to habits we rarely think about.

Getting started doesn’t require doing more. It simply means choosing differently.

At Izzy, that starts with designing packaging that can be used time and time again, not thrown away, like the stainless steel tubes used for our Zero Waste Mascara™ and Zero Waste Brow Gel™.

From reusable packaging to thoughtfully developed formulations, we’re committed to reducing plastic waste while using ingredients that are good for you and the environment. We’ve built sustainability into our products so it’s easier for our customers to make better choices every day.

Explore Izzy’s full line of sustainable products here.

Reducing Plastic Waste FAQs

How can I reduce plastic waste at home?

Start by identifying where plastic shows up most in your daily routine, especially in beauty products, kitchen storage and everyday convenience items. Choosing products with reusable or recyclable packaging, minimizing single-use products and making more intentional purchasing decisions can significantly reduce plastic waste over time.

What are microplastics and why do they matter?

Microplastics are tiny particles created as plastic breaks down over time. They’ve been found in air, food, and water—and even in human tissues—making them an increasing focus of research on environmental and human health impacts.

Where does most plastic waste come from in everyday life?

Most everyday plastic waste comes from packaging, especially in beauty and personal care products, takeout containers, kitchen storage, shipping materials and single-use convenience items used in daily routines.