Many of us have childhood memories peppered with plastic high chairs, strollers, and brightly-colored plastic toys, but with growing concerns about plastic pollution, many parents are now looking for ways they can avoid its use when baby comes home.

Unfortunately, plastic’s low production costs, as well as its incredible versatility and durability, led to tons of baby and household products designed with it. The problem is: Every plastic item you have touched probably still exists, and likely will for several hundred more years because it doesn’t biodegrade — just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces that eventually end up in our bodies and can cause an array of health problems. Recent studies have shown that chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) in commercial plastics can seep into food and effect the brains and prostate glands of infants, as well as hormone health in people of all ages.

The increasing volume of waste generated by “throw away culture” is another major concern for not only the health of future generations, but also the environment as a whole. Plastic waste is particularly pernicious because of how much pollution is involved in extracting oil to create it, how long it takes to decompose when discarded, and what can leach out in the process. While recycling can help reduce the demand for new plastics, the majority of plastics are not recyclable — and that means the best way to personally address plastic waste is to avoid products that contribute to the problem as much as possible. With than in mind, we’ve compiled a list of plastic-free alternatives to household essentials and other must-have baby gear to get you started.

Bags

Whether it’s sandwich bags for transporting snacks or the thin, light-weight bags from the local convenience store, thin plastic films are a big choking and suffocation hazard for little ones. Regrettably, most disposable plastic bags can’t be recycled and take anywhere from 10 to 1,000 years to break down in landfill; however, there are several reusable and fully-biodegradable alternatives you can easily replace them with. The good ol’ brown paper bag is still a low-cost, compostable classic — especially when they’re made of 100%-recycled paper, but those looking to either reduce total waste or eliminate repeat purchases may want to spring for washable silicon sandwich pouches that are completely recyclable when they need replacing and flexible beeswax wrappers, which are naturally antimicrobial and come in a variety of adorable designs.

For larger reusable bags to take to and from the store, washable cloth and flexible mesh bags made from sustainable fibers are great options that are easy to pack down and store when not in use. However, you can also try a simple DIY at home to make a couple in just a few minutes with some scissors if you have some old T-shirts or tank tops you’re willing to upcycle. It works by cutting strips to tie together along the bottom and using sleeve holes as handles, which can be trimmed for comfort and cuteness. No sewing necessary, and you can give an old piece of clothing new purpose!

Bathtubs

Bath time for baby can be a wet and wild time, and a lot of parents swear by baby bathtubs that can keep your little one’s head and umbilical stump out of the water and prevent slipping injuries. They come with a couple other perks too — like using less water, but finding one that doesn’t involve plastic can be a bit of a treasure hunt. Most modern baby baths involve BPA-free plastics, but although some polypropylene tubs can be recycled, this is a moment where the re-use part of recycling can really shine. If you enjoy antiquing, you may be able to find a vintage porcelain-covered cast iron tub that has stood the test of time and will guarantee adorable bath time photos for your baby album. If there aren’t any flea markets near you, you can scope out what’s available on online auctions and vintage resale markets like Etsy.

You could also consider commissioning a wooden bathtub from a local woodworker, especially if you’re planning on bathing more babes in the years to come. A sustainable natural wood will always be more eco-friendly than plastic, and although the up-front cost may be a bit pricey, you’ll have an heirloom you can pass on to future generations in time. Of course, this is one item you can also do just fine without. There’s nothing wrong with scrubbing your sweet pea in the sink or getting in the tub with your tot and keeping them on your lap while you get them squeaky clean. If you’re concerned about slip risks, you can use a textured natural fiber that you can wring out and toss in the drier once you’ve drained the water away, or a 100% rubber bath mat.

Bibs

If you don’t want to constantly swap clothes at feeding time, baby bibs can be a boon — and adorable to boot! It can be tempting to take home all of the cute, glossy bibs that boast about being easier to wipe clean than a fabric that will absorb spills and spit-up, but a lot of the brightly-colored, stain-resistant bibs you’ll find in stores are made from synthetic plastic fibers which can take 200 years to break down. Lycra, nylon, polyester, and spandex are all synthetic plastic fibers you’ll want to watch out for, so be sure to scan tags and product descriptions before purchase to avoid blended and coated fabrics. The things you’ll want to find are natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, soy-based cashmere, silk, and wool. Stay skeptical of bamboo-based rayons you may see advertised as sustainable, however, because turning bamboo into a viscose fabric usually involves bleaching and other solvents like sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid that pollute nearby waters. Unless it’s made like lyocell, bamboo textiles can have a hazardous footprint. The exception is bamboo linen, which is made with a mechanical process that is labor intensive but does not create hazardous wastewater.

Fortunately, there are more organic and ethically-sourced bib options than ever before, and recyclable options too! While they may not be quite as durable as a laminated cotton or synthetic fabric, the good news is that organic fibers, like cotton, can completely biodegrade in 3 months or less once they’re outgrown. Meanwhile, research has shown that even washing and reusing plastic-based synthetic fabrics can release micro-plastics into the water supply, so it’s best to launder them as little as possible, which isn’t exactly optimal when there’s milk to wash out. All in all, finding a natural fiber bib that’s easy to machine wash and dry will save much more than a few seconds swiping away some spittle. Otherwise, if you are looking for one super durable bib that you can adjust as your child grows, solid silicone bibs can be an easy-to-clean option that you can wash and reuse until you need to recycle it.

Bottles

Plastic baby bottles may seem like a ubiquitous part of the parent pantry, but those light-weight containers can take 450 years or more to break down in landfill. Although BPA-free plastic bottles abound today, plastic-free parents have a couple options to consider. Many bottle brands are starting to offer surprisingly sturdy replacements that are made out of borosilicate glass and can attach directly to some breast pumps without any adapters. Companies like Lifefactory have a design that allows a clear glimpse at the contents through soft, non-slip silicone exteriors that make them easy for little hands to grip and hold. Best of all, glass won’t leach any chemicals into the contents and can be sterilized in boiling water. It aren’t porous, so the bottles are easy to clean and are dishwasher safe on the top shelf — silicone caps, nips, and all. They also have no odor, and they are completely recyclable. Parents looking for totally natural bottle nipples can try natural rubber products as long as your little one does not have a latex sensitivity or allergy.

Silicone and stainless steel are other non-plastic bottle options, but they aren’t always able to be recycled and it’s not as easy to see inside as with glass. Even so, they can be a great choice for travel-hardy sippy cups — and larger versions can also be an asset to adults! A light-weight canteen with a silicone sleeve is a great way to keep water with you so you aren’t tempted to pick up single-use plastic bottles or plastic-lined juice boxes when you are out and about, saving you money and saving on materials. Many designs are also dishwasher safe, so they’re easy to keep in rotation without becoming a big chore.

Car Seats

Plastic-free parents are likely to find this part of preparing for baby to be a bit frustrustrating, because the unfortunate reality is that every car seat on the market is made with plastic, they tend to “expire” about 6 years from the day they were made, and most places legally require them if you drive. If you live in an area with public transportation or good walking access, you might be able to get by using a cloth sling or structured fabric carrier to keep your little one on your body on the go, but it’s not safe to do that as a passenger in a car due to seat belts and other factors. So, if you find yourself bending a “no plastic” vow into “no new plastics” now, don’t feel guilty over this particular piece of baby gear. There’s still an opportunity to reduce plastic waste when looking for a safety tool to transport your little bundle of joy.

Looking for used car seats from parents whose children may have outgrown theirs is a great way to reuse and keep that plastic out of landfill. It may even save you a significant chunk of change too, because brand new, convertible car seats can get pretty pricey. If you have to buy, there are car seat manufacturers, like Clek, that make 100% recyclable sizes to suit everything from infancy and next-stage seats. It costs less than $40 to recycle the chairs, and that money comes back to you in discounts on replacements as your child grows. There are also car seat and stroller companies that only use recycled plastics in the construction of their products, so you can know that your purchase took some plastic that would have landed in a landfill and gave it a new, long-lasting purpose: protecting precious lives.

Clothes

Much like with bibs, plastic-free parents will want to know what materials make up the garb you get for your baby — especially since you’ll go through a lot of outfits as your little one grows. Start by letting friends and family who may buy gifts for your little one that you’d like to receive clothing made from natural fibers to save yourself from making returns and exchanges. The synthetic fibers you screened for in bibs — lycra, nylon, polyester, and spandex — are ones you’ll want to continue to watch out for, but you’ll also want to steer clear of synthetic fleece, plush fabrics like Minky, and rayon. If that seems restrictive, don’t worry. You’ll find lots of options that are 100% cotton in a variety of textures, like a breathable jersey or the soft and airy double-gauze. If you’re concerned about chemical processing, seek out naturally-dyed organic cottons, which are made without chemical pesticides in production. Rylee + Cru and Quincy Mae clothes are hand-dyed with love, and offer an assortment of organic basics for baby that have you covered from head to toe.

Certainly, there are other eco-friendly fabrics you can try out if you can find them, like hemp, linen, soy cashmere, silk, wool — some of which take less water to grow than cotton. They aren’t as widely available as cottons, but they are worth knowing about — especially if you’re a crafty person who enjoys the idea of sewing couture trappings for your tot. There are many good reasons for choosing natural fabrics over synthetics, but the best one of all is that your baby’s skin is sensitive, and synthetic fabrics can be more irritating than natural ones.

Diapers

Diaper duty isn’t a load of fun to think about, but it’s a big part of raising a baby. In fact, it’s estimated that each baby will use about 6,000 diapers before toilet training at two and a half years, which adds up to more than two tons of waste that is often either sent to landfill or incinerated. In the U.S. alone, more than 15 billion disposable diapers are used each year for a grand total of 2.4 million tons of waste. Unfortunately, conventional disposable diapers tend to be made with non-recyclable polyethylene plastic which contains toxic chemicals and can take 250-500 years to break down. While there’s certainly growing interest in creating more facilities that might be able to recycle diapers, there aren’t many absorbent hygiene recycling centers like Knowaste yet. Luckily, classic cloth diapers still do the job, are reusable, and there are diaper washing attachments you can connect to your toilet that make cleaning deposits a simple matter of spraying and flushing. Then, you can toss them into the washer and dryer, and they’re ready to be back in rotation.

If you need a disposable option, don’t feel like your only option is a plastic-lined, non-recyclable pack. There are biodegradable options, like Nest Diapers, which are made primarily out of wood pulp and bamboo viscose that can be commercially composted in areas with diaper composting services. Do note, however, that they should not be added to your home compost pile or put in with your city’s compost collection service. In most municipalities, it’s illegal to mix human waste with compostables or attempt to compost them in open air on your property.

High Chairs

Once your little one can sit up and start to nosh on soft foods, you will want to get a high chair that will let the littlest members of your family join you around the dinner table. Although one might expect it to take a serious search to find one that doesn’t have a plastic seat or other components, there are classic wood high chairs with buckle straps — like the kind family restaurants keep on hand — as well as more modern, adjustable designs made of sanded hardwood, washable cloth, and metal, like the Stokke Tripp Trapp designs, which comes in a variety of colors thanks to non-toxic, water-based paints. If you can’t pop in to Blossom’s retail shop to pick one up in person, you can have one delivered to your door via our online shop, and you can take comfort in knowing the adjustable, ergonomic design will be able to adapt to your growing child for years. The chairs are durable enough to support the weight of an adult weighing up to 240 pounds and the design has been popular since its debut in 1972, but even so, Stokke also offers an extended 7-year warranty on all wood components.

If you’ve got the budget to call up a carpenter in your quest to avoid a plastic bucket seat with a white, clip-on tray like the models that abound in big box stores, this could create a matched set for the baby bath. There are many inspiring and clever designs online, and taking your plans to a professional woodworker can create an all-natural tool that lasts generations while giving you a lot more control over your plastic-free process. Some varnishes and wood oils contain resins like polyurethane, which give a plastic-like finish that can eventually flake away. Even high chairs advertised as solid-wood sometimes use nylon or other synthetic fibers for the straps that buckle in baby, but you could swap in a natural fiber cloth — perhaps even one that’s easy to remove and wash — in a custom build or re-use hack. Best of all, you can maintain or refresh a smoothly sanded natural finish with nontoxic linseed oil, which is made from flax seeds. Not only will it highlight the grain details, but it also makes the wood resistant to humidity and UV damage.

Pacifiers

Sucking can be very soothing for babies, but too much of it can be hard on your tot’s tiny thumb and your nipples. Non-nutritive sucking is something that your babe did a lot of in utero, and maintaining the practice can help them feel more at peace as they interact with the larger world. For many parents, this is where pacifiers come in to play — but it’s not a one-and-done purchase. Pacifiers wear out and tend to need replacement every 6-8 weeks, especially as your baby’s mouth gets bigger and you need to size up. So, finding zero-plastic options makes a big impact on waste output. Luckily, the brightly-colored plastic binkies of yester-year can stay a thing of the past because there are oodles of eco-friendly options available for under $10 nowadays. From single-piece 100% natural rubber pacifiers to recyclable silicone suckers that are safe for latex-sensitive little ones, you’ll be able to find a variety of different styles that can make teething more comfortable.

So, which one is better for the planet? Rubber is a natural material created from the tree Hevea brasiliensis, it is a renewable resource and it can biodegrade. Kiddos with latex allergies won’t be able to use it though. Silicone can be a good replacement in that case, but it’s important to note that silicone does not biodegrade. That said, it is easily recyclable where facilities exist — it’s just not the sort of thing that can usually be tossed in the municipal collection bin. You can search for local collection options in your area, or turn to a mail-in service like Terra Cycle’s Baby Gear Zero Waste Box, which recycles toys, mats, pacifiers, and other accessories.

Soaps

If you dread the thought of going through bottle after bottle of tear-free baby soap and shampoo, conventional over-the-counter options might leave a lot to be desired. Fortunately, your darling’s ‘do doesn’t need a daily shampoo unless there’s an issue like cradle cap, and a simple castile soap can take care of most of your kiddo-cleaning needs while being gentle enough for your baby’s skin. There are many organic, vegetable-oil based soap and shampoo bars that can keep your cutie clean without plastic packaging, and sudsing up a soft washcloth made of natural fiber can help you keep soap from splashing into sensitive eyeballs. Many co-ops and bulk natural foods stores carry fragrance-free options, as well as liquid soaps and cleaning components that you can purchase by weight with the reusable container of your choice.

As for other household cleaning supplies like dish soap and laundry detergent, the plastic-free parent with an ample bulk section can use light-weight and lidded glass or stainless steel containers to fill up when supplies get low. Those living in an area without those shopping options can still cut out plastic by doing a few minutes of DIY to create your own cleaning solutions at home. A diluted mixture of vinegar and water is a great, shelf-stable cleaner for most surfaces. For laundry, Borax and washing soda typically come in cardboard boxes, and laundry soap is typically wrapped in paper. You can make a big batch with a ratio of two parts each to one part grated natural soap bar, and then portion out laundry loads like you usually do. If you need to deal with some stains, Fels-Naptha laundry soap bars might be more effective while still being gentle enough to be used as a home remedy for skin irritation like poison ivy. Best of all, making your own is much less expensive than buying a prepared product — but if the thought of another task on the to-do is too much though, there are online purveyors of plastic-free cleaning products, including some which offer subscription ease and don’t ship in plastic.

Strollers

If your search for the perfect stroller has felt a lot like the car seat conundrum, that’s because it is. Honestly, there are not a lot of zero-plastic strollers on the market today. Even light-weight cloth strollers with umbrella covers tend to use synthetic fabrics, plastic wheels, and other plastic components. Some parents might prefer to carry their little bundle of joy using an adjustable baby carrier or sling, but those with back pain or bunch of errands to run don’t need to feel guilty about getting a useful tool that helps you and your little one experience the world together with greater ease — especially if you choose a model that uses an aluminum frame rather than a plastic one. Stokke and Mima strollers with aluminum frames come with all the adaptable perks a parent could ask for, are still lightweight and maneuverable, and can smoothly convey kiddos up to 30 pounds and then fold up for compact storage when not in use. The waterproof and easy-to-clean materials are likely to last a long time, and with multiple positioning options, they are useful in a variety of ways in the home as well as out and about.

Companies like Bumbleride, Greentom, and Joolz are still working with plastics, but they do openly acknowledge that materials matter, and they explain in detail on their websites how each of their production processes generate less CO2 and other pollutants by using recycled plastic water bottles as their plastic source, which both stops that waste from going to landfill and reduces the demand for raw materials and new plastic production.. Bumbleride also uses naturally anti-mocribial and biodegradable cork or thermoplastic rubber in place of plastic handlebars, both Bumbleride and Joolz use organic cotton, and Greentom has ensured that all of their materials are made from recycled plastic that can be reused and recycled again. Joolz takes it one step further with a promise to plant a tree in Columbia for every stroller registered for their lifetime warranty, and will even dedicate it in your child’s name.

Toys

For the parent who believes plastic is nothing to play around with, finding eco-conscious entertainment for your baby can be a real joy. It’s fun to dote on your darling babe, and there’s nothing quite like watching their eyes light up with excitement when you give them something to interact with. When it comes to materials, there are several alternatives you can consider, but one of the safest is wood that has been sealed with beeswax and an organic oil. It’s important to consider the finish of wood toys, however, because mineral oils are petroleum-based — even when they say they are food-grade. If the wood is painted, you’ll want to make sure it’s water-based and no-VOC, although vegetable-dyed is preferred, since it won’t flake away. Wood is sometimes considered the best material for toy-making because it is renewable, extremely durable, and naturally antimicrobial, but still biodegrades if you ever need to dispose of it. Fortunately, wood toys can survive an awful lot, except being submerged in water or wet for a long time.

For a softer feel, organic fabric toys — think cotton or linen knits, felt, and cloth dolls — are a super sustainable option. A lot of them are also made to be machine washable and dryable, and they can help your baby develop strength in their hands as they pull and tug on the flexible, stretchy parts. If you’re struggling to find plastic-free toy options you can pick up in your area, a little bit of online shopping can get you set. Etsy curates an entire section of zero-waste toys you can turn to when you want to get little gifts for your little ones, your loved ones, and your pets — many of which are handmade.

Wipes

Whether it’s wiping away a chin dribble or cleaning up after a diaper change, there’s an awful lot of wiping that happens when you’ve got a wee one in the house. In fact, some parents estimated using anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 a year. That means using store-bought disposable options leads to a lot of plastic waste, and not just because of the plastic containers. Even options that are branded as “flushable” often contain synthetic fibers that take hundreds of years to break down, and the wipe solution is often made with petrochemicals. So, what’s the plastic-free parent to do? While your standard reusable and washable organic washcloths are great for cleaning up sticky fingers and scrubbing surfaces clean, they aren’t always the most gentle on sensitive areas. Fortunately, more retailers are starting to carry extra soft, machine-washable bamboo and cotton wipes that are great for diaper duty without being a pain in the butt for under $20 a pack. If you’ve got a sewing machine handy, you could also use organic cotton flannel to whip up a bunch and save some bucks, because all you need are sheers to cut your fabric to size and a zig-zag edging for a simple and frugal DIY.

Once you’ve got those, you may find that keeping a couple wipes wet in a closed-top jar will make changing time just as convenient and comfortable for your child — but using water alone can leave you scrubbing for longer, which could irritate your infant’s sensitive skin. Luckily, it’s easy to make your own wipe solution at home with three simple ingredients: Castile soap, coconut oil, and water. Start with two cups of hot water, and add three teaspoons of coconut oil and a teaspoon and a half of your preferred castile soap, and stir until combined. Then, you can wet your wipes with that and the soap will help get rid of gunk while the coconut oil has antifungal properties, prevents your baby’s skin from drying out, and helps the wipe glide.

Taking Out The Garbage

Making a conscious decision to reduce your plastic waste can seriously affect the way you see your trash output, and it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you work to change your habits. Try your best to toss out harsh judgement if it rears up during your process of reducing plastic use, because it can be a real challenge in a society that is simply swamped with it. Give yourself credit for the things you can do, and start by switching to plastic-free alternatives that are easy to just swap in for more conventional stand-bys — like compostable trash bags rather than plastic. Once you start from there, it gets easier to build momentum by finding reusable alternatives to disposable items one at a time, like using old T-shirt towels to clean up spills that could stain instead of paper towels that come wrapped in plastic. Once you’ve mastered that and settled into a groove, you’ll find it starts becoming second nature to get creative and incorporate incremental change as you establish your plastic-free routine. Soon, you may discover that you’re saving money, time, and the environment in one fell swoop.

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