Real-world examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

Everyday examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

Let’s start with real examples, not theory. When people ask for examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging, they usually want to know: What do I actually do at the store, at home, and online? Here are everyday patterns you can copy and adapt to your own life.

At the grocery store, a simple example of a plastic-free move is choosing pasta in a cardboard box instead of in a plastic bag. Same brand sometimes, same price, different packaging. Another one: picking yogurt in a glass jar you can reuse as a storage container, instead of a plastic tub. These are small, low-effort decisions that add up.

At home, people are reusing glass jars from sauces and pickles to store rice, nuts, and leftovers, instead of buying new plastic containers. When ordering takeout, they’re adding a quick note like, “No plastic cutlery, please,” which sounds tiny but can prevent a surprising amount of waste over a year.

These are the kinds of real examples we’ll unpack in detail: simple switches that don’t require a lifestyle overhaul.

Grocery shopping examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

The grocery store is where many of us meet the bulk (pun intended) of our plastic. Here are some of the best examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging that work in a typical supermarket, not just a zero-waste boutique.

Choose loose produce over bagged produce
Instead of grabbing pre-bagged apples or potatoes, pick them loose and put them directly into your cart or into a reusable produce bag. One of the best examples of a quick win: buying loose bell peppers instead of the plastic-wrapped three-pack. You usually pay about the same, and you skip the plastic netting and film.

Use your own bags and containers where allowed
Many stores now allow reusable produce bags and even containers at deli counters. Check your store’s policy (often posted near the counter or on their website). Some U.S. chains and co-ops have guidance aligned with local food safety rules from agencies like the FDA and local health departments.

Real examples include:

• Bringing mesh produce bags for fruits and veggies instead of using the thin plastic rolls.
• Using a cloth bread bag at a bakery counter and asking them to place the loaf directly inside.
• Filling your own jars or bags from bulk bins (rice, oats, nuts) where stores permit it.

Pick packaging that’s easier to recycle or reuse
When you can’t avoid packaging, prioritize materials with higher recycling rates and reuse potential. Glass, metal, and plain cardboard are usually better bets than plastic.

Examples include:

• Tomato sauce in glass jars instead of plastic squeeze bottles.
• Oats in a paper canister instead of a plastic bag.
• Beverages in aluminum cans or glass bottles instead of plastic bottles.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, glass and metals like aluminum are widely recyclable in many municipal systems, while plastic recycling rates remain relatively low compared to overall plastic production (EPA). So when you choose glass or metal packaging, you’re often picking a material with a better end-of-life story.

Kitchen and pantry examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

Your kitchen is where packaging either gets a second life—or heads straight to the trash. Some of the best examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging happen after you bring groceries home.

Save and reuse glass jars
Glass jars from pasta sauce, salsa, or jam are basically free storage containers. Wash them, remove labels if you like, and reuse them for dry goods, leftovers, or homemade dressings. Many people build a whole pantry system this way, instead of buying new plastic containers.

Real examples include:

• Storing bulk rice, lentils, and beans in old sauce jars.
• Using small jars to pack snacks like nuts or trail mix instead of plastic snack bags.
• Keeping homemade salad dressing or sauces in repurposed jars.

Ditch plastic wrap with reusable covers
Instead of plastic wrap or disposable sandwich bags, people are turning to beeswax wraps, silicone lids, or simple plates placed over bowls.

Examples include:

• Covering a bowl of leftovers with a beeswax wrap that molds around the rim.
• Using a silicone stretch lid over half a cut melon instead of wrapping it in plastic.
• Packing sandwiches in reusable cloth wraps or metal tins.

Buy bigger, less often
Another example of a practical tip for plastic-free packaging is buying in larger containers when possible. A big tub of yogurt in glass or a large paper bag of flour can cut down on the total amount of packaging compared to many small containers.

Just make sure you’ll actually use it before it spoils—wasted food is its own environmental problem, as the USDA and EPA both highlight in their food waste reduction resources (USDA).

On-the-go and takeout examples: practical tips that add up

Plastic sneaks into our lives when we’re busy and hungry. That’s why some of the most powerful examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging happen with coffee runs, lunch breaks, and takeout.

Bring your own cup, bottle, or container
Many coffee shops will fill a clean reusable cup or tumbler. Some even offer a small discount. A stainless steel or glass bottle can also replace endless plastic water bottles.

Examples include:

• Keeping a travel mug at your desk or in your car for spontaneous coffee stops.
• Using a reusable water bottle at the gym, work, and during travel.
• Bringing a clean container when picking up food from places that allow it (check local health codes and store policy).

Say no to extras you don’t need
One of the simplest real examples: adding a note to your food delivery app profile—“No plastic cutlery, napkins, or sauce packets, please.” It takes seconds to set once and saves plastic every time you order.

Other examples include:

• Refusing plastic straws and stirrers at cafes and bars.
• Asking for sauces in paper cups or reusable containers if dining in.
• Skipping individually wrapped condiments when you’re eating at home and can use what’s in your fridge.

Choose businesses that prioritize plastic-free packaging
In 2024–2025, more restaurants and cafes are experimenting with reusable container programs, deposit systems, and compostable packaging. Some cities are even piloting reuse systems where you can borrow a container and return it later.

Examples include:

• Supporting a local cafe that uses reusable cups for dine-in and offers a discount for bringing your own cup.
• Choosing a restaurant that packs takeout in paper boxes or reusable containers instead of foam or plastic.
• Using community tiffin or container-share programs where available.

When you support these businesses, you send a clear signal that plastic-free packaging matters—and you encourage more of the same.

Online shopping examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

E-commerce exploded over the last few years, and with it, a mountain of plastic mailers and bubble wrap. Fortunately, there are growing examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging in the online world too.

Look for low-waste shipping options
Many online retailers now offer shipping options labeled as “plastic-free,” “minimal packaging,” or “ship items together.” Selecting these at checkout is an easy example of how to cut down on packaging.

Real examples include:

• Choosing brands that advertise paper-based mailers or cardboard-only packaging.
• Clicking “ship items together” instead of multiple shipments when timing allows.
• Adding a note at checkout: “Please avoid plastic padding where possible; paper is fine.”

Support companies with transparent packaging policies
Some brands publish detailed packaging and sustainability policies, including goals to phase out plastic. These policies may reference international frameworks or research from groups like the United Nations Environment Programme or leading universities.

Examples include:

• Buying from companies that clearly state they use recycled cardboard, paper tape, and paper-based fillers.
• Choosing refill companies that send concentrated products in glass or metal with paper padding.
• Favoring brands that accept packaging back for reuse or offer refill stations in stores.

Reuse shipping materials creatively
You might not avoid every piece of plastic, but you can extend its life.

Examples include:

• Reusing padded mailers for your own shipments.
• Saving cardboard boxes for storage or moving.
• Using paper packing material as gift wrap or for kids’ art projects.

These are not perfect solutions, but they shift packaging from single-use to multi-use, which still reduces demand for new materials.

2024–2025 trends: new examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

The landscape is changing fast. New policies, materials, and programs are giving us more examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging than ever before.

Refill and bulk stations are expanding
More mainstream grocery stores and co-ops are adding refill stations for items like laundry detergent, dish soap, and even personal care products. Shoppers bring their own containers, weigh them, and refill.

Examples include:

• Refilling dish soap from an in-store station instead of buying a new plastic bottle each time.
• Using the same glass bottle for shampoo and conditioner refills.
• Filling cleaning sprays from concentrate sold in glass or metal.

Policy shifts are nudging packaging away from plastic
Several U.S. states and cities have introduced or strengthened bans and fees on certain single-use plastics, like thin plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers. These policies encourage stores and restaurants to switch to paper, reusable, or compostable options.

While regulations vary by location, you’re likely to see more paper bags, reusable bag incentives, and compostable food-service ware, especially in states with strong waste reduction goals. The EPA tracks global and national actions on plastic pollution, and those policies often translate into more plastic-free packaging options on the ground.

Material innovation is growing—but stay skeptical
You’ll see more packaging labeled as “biodegradable,” “compostable,” or “plant-based.” Some of these are genuinely better options, especially certified compostable packaging used in commercial composting systems. Others are more confusing than helpful.

Practical tips here include:

• Looking for third-party certifications (like BPI in the U.S.) for compostable products.
• Asking whether your local composting facility actually accepts these materials.
• Prioritizing reuse and simple materials (glass, metal, paper, cardboard) over trendy, unclear options.

How to build your own routine using these examples

We’ve covered a lot of examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging, but the magic happens when you turn them into habits that fit your life.

Here’s a simple way to start without overwhelm:

Pick one shopping habit to change
Maybe you start with produce: always choose loose fruits and veggies and bring your own bags. Once that feels normal, move on to pantry staples or dairy packaging.

Create a “reusables kit”
Many people keep a small kit by the door, in a backpack, or in the car: a tote bag, a produce bag, a travel mug, and a water bottle. This is one of the best examples of a low-effort system that dramatically cuts disposable packaging.

Talk to local businesses
Don’t underestimate the power of a polite request. Real examples include:

• Asking your favorite bakery if they’ll put bread directly into your cloth bag.
• Suggesting to a cafe that they offer a discount for reusable cups.
• Emailing a local store to ask if they’d consider paper-based packaging for shipping.

Businesses respond to repeated, friendly feedback—especially when it comes with continued support.

Track one small metric
For a week, toss all your plastic packaging into a separate bag and look at it at the end. Then see how many items you can swap next week using the examples above. This makes progress visible and motivating.

FAQ: examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging

Q1: What are some easy examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging for beginners?
Start with low-effort changes: bring a reusable shopping bag, choose loose produce instead of pre-bagged, buy drinks in glass or cans instead of plastic, and say no to plastic cutlery with takeout. Reusing glass jars for pantry storage is another simple example of a plastic-free habit that saves money.

Q2: Can you give an example of plastic-free packaging for bathroom products?
Yes. A common example is switching from liquid shampoo in plastic bottles to solid shampoo bars wrapped in paper or cardboard. Other examples include bar soap instead of body wash in plastic, toothpaste tablets in a metal tin, and refillable deodorant systems that use metal or paper cartridges.

Q3: Are compostable or biodegradable plastics good examples of plastic-free packaging?
Not always. Some “biodegradable” plastics only break down under specific industrial conditions and can contaminate recycling streams. Better examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging focus on reusable containers and simple materials like glass, metal, and paper. If you use compostable packaging, look for certified products and make sure your local composting facility accepts them.

Q4: What are examples of plastic-free packaging I can ask online retailers to use?
You can request cardboard boxes instead of plastic mailers, paper tape instead of plastic tape, and paper-based fillers instead of bubble wrap or foam. Many companies are willing to accommodate these requests, especially smaller brands. Some already advertise plastic-free shipping as a standard option.

Q5: Is going fully plastic-free realistic?
For most people, no—and that’s okay. The goal is to reduce, not achieve perfection. Using the real examples in this guide—like choosing glass jars, bringing your own bags, and refusing unnecessary extras—can significantly cut your plastic footprint, even if some plastic remains in your life.

The bottom line: you don’t need a zero-waste lifestyle badge to make a difference. By copying a few of these examples of practical tips for plastic-free packaging, you’ll start to see less plastic in your trash can, more reusable containers in your home, and a growing sense that your daily choices really do matter.