Let’s look at the effects of plastic usage:
Recording of Lower Your Health Risks: Reduce Plastic, Dec 16, 2024 at Sketchbook Brewing Co, Skokie, IL.
Speakers: Professors/Researchers/Clinicians Dr. Robert Sargis and Dr. Gail Prins from University of Illinois Chicago, College of Medicine.
Have you seen the Patch article, What Does Your Health Has to Do with Plastic? If not, here’s the link.
Excerpt from Are You Eating Microplastics Every Day by Ankur Shah
Latest News on Plastic:
Ecology Center – About BPA and BPS in receipt paper.
Here’s the link.
CNN Health – Common household plastics linked to thousands of global deaths from heart disease.
Here’s the link.
NPR – Should you toss your plastic kitchen tools for health reasons?
Here’s the scoop.
OUR MISSION
To eliminate the use of plastic in the community.
WHAT'S NEW
Geetha Foods is our first pilot store to significantly reduce plastic bags by providing boxes, paper bags and cotton bags.
Winnetka Farmers’ Market will be selling 100% cotton shopping bags for $1 and mesh produce bags at a price of 2 for $1. If you don’t already have a cotton bag, be sure to take advantage of the low price.
Paper Bag Collection
We are now collecting paper shopping bags for reuse in the stores at:
- Joseph Sears School
- Kenilworth Union Church
- Winnetka Farmers’ Market
Upcoming Events
Date: July 13, 2025
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Place: Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St, Skokie, IL.
Title: Health and Plastic
Details:
Know anyone with diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infertility? Do they also use plastic with their food? Come learn about the connection, and share your stories. There will be an excerpt from a presentation by Dr. Robert Sargis, researcher from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, who specializes in endocrinology (hormones), diabetes and metabolism.
Discover many practical ways to switch to non-plastics in your kitchen, bathroom, clothing, and more. Bring some finger foods in non-plastic containers to share.
Date: September 2, 2025
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Place: North Shore Senior Center Cohn Auditorium
Title: Dangers of Plastic – What to Use instead
TIPS FOR PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES
Shopping Bag
100% Cotton bags without plastic components that make it shiny or waterproof. Organic cotton grown without pesticides is even better.
Produce Bag
100% Cotton mesh bags for fruits and vegetables only if needed.
Leftover Container
Use glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers.
For a mixing bowl, pie or container without a lid, cover with beeswax wrap.
Food Jar
Shop for oils, peanut butter, honey, ketchup, spices, etc. in glass jars.
Kitchen Utensils, Cookware
Use wooden and stainless steel utensils. Food grade silicone can be used for spatula. Non-stick cooking pans contains a Teflon coating, which releases microplastics and PFAS into the food. Best to use stainless steel or cast iron cookware instead.
Mushroom
Mushrooms stored in paper bags would last longer.
Water Bottle
Use stainless steel bottles.
Soap and Shampoo
Use soap and shampoo bars.
Laundry Detergent
Use fragrance-free laundry powder without a plastic scoop. All laundry sheets and pods come wrapped in a PVA plastic film. Fragrance contains chemicals that can disrupt your hormones and have other adverse health effects. Meliora is one brand of laundry powder with a stainless steel scoop and it comes in a paper and steel canister. There are other brands.
Refill Station
Look for refill stations that keep their bath, beauty and cleaning products in glass jars and containers.
Clothing
Look for 100% cotton, linen, silk, wool, cashmere, hemp, bamboo and other natural fabric. Cotton socks and jeans are often made of 98% cotton, 2% spandex. Avoid synthetic fabric, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, spandex, microfiber, and fleece. To check on the validity of brand claims for sustainability, go to goodonyou.eco.
Bedding
Look for 100% cotton, linen, and other natural fabric.
Shower Curtain
In Europe, they do not use shower curtain liners. A linen shower curtain would keep water in while showering, and dry fast if you shake it out and put it outside the tub after the shower.
Dish Sponge and Dishcloth
Find plant-based sponges, mostly online. They tend to be stay clean and unstained until worn. For counters and electric stovetops, try Swedish dishcloths.
Poop Bag
If you have a dog, try using chopsticks to pick up the poop, and putting the poop in a small paper bag. Extra credit if you can reuse the bag and chopsticks a few times.
BAG PALS
Mostly and Sometimes are two Bag Pals. Together they will tell you all about why and how to replace plastic bags whenever you go shopping.
On this day, they met at a grocery store self-check out.
MOSTLY: Did you know that most plastics are made from oil and gas?
SOMETIMES: I haven’t thought about it. So you’re saying plastic bags are made from oil and gas.
MOSTLY: When people consume less at home and in cars, the industry sells more plastic to make up for it. Plastic makes people sick.
SOMETIMES: Oh, you mean they should use us instead, because we’re cotton.
Click here to see how MOSTLY responds.
■ Be the First ■
This project started in early 2023 with a collaboration between Jonathan Lavin of the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley, and Howard Meyer of the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and Ivy Sundell. Replace Plastic became an Illinois non-profit organization in December, 2023. It is now a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
If you are interested in joining us to replace plastic in your business, email replaceplastic2@gmail.com