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Okay here we go, off on another week of plastic reduction! This time we are going to look at our office and travel habits. If you don’t have an office, no worries. The things we will be attacking can be found in almost any home.
First off, let’s take a look at tape. I’m talking about that stuff used for gift wrapping, sealing packages, crafts, and to hold various items together. Tape is one of those really useful inventions and is now a staple in most homes and offices, but have you ever really thought about what your tape is made of? Well, a quick glance will tell you that it is polypropylene (plastic). Why is that a problem? Well, for one thing, if you put tape on paper it is considered contaminated and no longer recyclable. Additionally, in 2018 alone, 87 billion packages were shipped worldwide. I’m willing to guess that the majority were sealed with plastic tape, and that makes for a rather sticky situation. Pun intended. Good news, there are some great alternatives. Let’s check them out!
Today’s challenge: Check out plant-based tape.
Masking tape swap: Washi tape is made from Japanese washi paper (sourced from trees, mulberry bushes, and even sometimes marijuana plants). The brand sold by Earth Hero is made from recycled paper. It comes in all sorts of pretty colors and patterns and is perfect for crafting or wrapping gifts. It is similar to masking tape in that it peels off easily without leaving behind residue.
Packaging tape swap: Look for kraft paper tape. I was so excited to find this self-adhesive paper tape from Net Zero Company! I’ve been searching for a packaging tape for awhile that didn’t have any plastic and this finally came along. You can get it with cute designs, or plain.
Scotch tape swap: Try cellulose carton sealing tape. It is transparent and comes in a variety of sizes so it can be used for small projects or for packaging. It has a natural rubber adhesive and is completely biodegradable.
Pro tip: I’ve linked examples above, but I would advise that you are careful with your tape purchases. I am confident in Earth Hero and Net Zero Company and the products they produce. They are also great at sending everything with plastic free packaging so I am 100% on board for their packaging tape. For other types of tape, it might make sense to head to a department, craft, or hardware store so that you can be sure it actually is what you want. Some knock-off Washi tape is made with plastic and it is hard to trust companies from China who are always changing their products. Ideally, whatever you buy should be wrapped around a cardboard roll with non-plastic packaging. However, even if you just switch to a more sustainable tape and don’t worry about the packaging, you will have cut back the plastic by over two thirds and I count that as a win. Put it on your shopping list right now!
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