35+ Everyday Items That Secretly Contain Plastic (And What to Use Instead)
- Valinda
- Jul 1
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 16
You may already bring your own shopping bags and skip plastic straws—but did you know plastic still hides in dozens of everyday items you use without thinking? From tea bags to receipts and even clothing, plastic is more common—and sneaky—than you might expect.
In this post, you’ll discover 35+ surprising items that contain plastic and get simple, sustainable alternatives to help you reduce your daily exposure. Whether you're just starting your low-waste journey or looking for new swaps, this guide will help you spot the hidden plastic in your home—and replace it with eco-friendly choices.
Kitchen & Food Items with Plastic
Even if you're trying to reduce plastic in your home, your kitchen may still be filled with hidden sources of plastic you don’t expect. From food packaging to cooking tools, plastic is present in many everyday kitchen and food items—often in ways that aren’t obvious. These hidden plastics can contribute to microplastic pollution, harm the environment, and potentially affect your health.
In this section, we’ll uncover the most common kitchen items that contain plastic and explain how to identify and replace them with safer, more sustainable alternatives. Whether you're aiming for a zero-waste lifestyle or just looking to reduce your plastic use, these tips will help you make more informed choices in the heart of your home.
Water
It may sound surprising, but studies estimate that up to 80% of drinking water contains microplastics. These tiny plastic particles result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste and are small enough to pass through most filtration systems. Since plastic never truly biodegrades, it slowly fragments into microplastics that enter water sources worldwide.
Swap Tip: Use a high-quality water filter that specifically targets microplastics.
Sea Salt
Because oceans are heavily polluted with plastic waste, sea salt often contains microplastic particles. As seawater evaporates, plastic remnants remain behind and end up in the salt we use daily.
Swap Tip: Choose sea salt from certified clean sources or opt for rock salt alternatives.
Kitchen Sponges
Most store-bought kitchen sponges are made from plastic-based materials like polyurethane or polyester. These sponges shed microplastics every time you use them, especially when washing dishes with hot water.
Swap Tip: Choose compostable sponges made from cellulose, coconut fiber, or loofah.
Cans (Aluminum or Tin)
Although aluminum and tin cans are metal, they’re often lined with a plastic-based resin. This internal coating prevents acidic liquids (like soda or tomatoes) from corroding the metal, but it adds hidden plastic to your pantry.
Swap Tip: Opt for glass jars or BPA-free labeled cans when possible.
Coffee Filters
Disposable paper coffee filters may contain a thin plastic coating to prevent tearing. This makes them non-compostable and adds to microplastic waste when disposed of.
Swap Tip: Use unbleached, plastic-free filters or reusable stainless-steel or cloth filters.
Baking Paper
Despite the name, most baking papers are coated with plastic or silicone to provide non-stick properties. As a result, they are not recyclable or compostable.
Swap Tip: Use silicone baking mats or look for certified compostable parchment paper.
Disposable Paper Coffee Cups
Most disposable “paper” coffee cups contain a plastic lining to make them waterproof. This makes them difficult to recycle and not biodegradable.
Swap Tip: Bring your own reusable coffee cup made from stainless steel or glass.
Paper Plates
Like coffee cups, many paper plates have a plastic coating to resist moisture and grease. While convenient, these coatings hinder composting and recycling.
Swap Tip: Choose fully compostable plates made from bamboo, palm leaf, or uncoated cardboard.
Glass Jar Lids
While the jars themselves are plastic-free, many jar lids contain plastic linings to create a vacuum seal and prevent corrosion. Even metal lids often have a thin plastic barrier on the inside.
Swap Tip: Reuse glass jars and look for brands that use metal or compostable lids without plastic linings.
Potato Chip Bags
Most chip bags are made of multi-layer materials: a blend of plastic and aluminum. This combination protects the food from moisture but makes the packaging non-recyclable.
Swap Tip: Choose snacks sold in paper-based or compostable packaging where available.
Tetra Paks
Tetra Pak cartons (used for juice, plant-based milk, and sauces) may look like cardboard, but they contain multiple layers of plastic and aluminum. While technically recyclable, this complex structure makes it difficult and expensive to process.
Swap Tip: Choose products in glass bottles or recyclable plastic-free cartons when possible.
Tea Bags
Even paper tea bags may contain polypropylene plastic to help seal the bag. One study found that a single cup of tea can release over 11 billion microplastic particles.
Swap Tip: Opt for plastic-free tea bags or switch to loose-leaf tea with a reusable strainer.
Chewing Gum
Most conventional chewing gums contain plastic polymers like polyethylene and polyvinyl acetate, which give gum its elasticity. These substances are not biodegradable.
Swap Tip: Look for natural, plant-based chewing gums made from chicle or similar alternatives.
Produce Stickers
Those small stickers on fruits and vegetables often contain plastic and aren’t compostable. They can contaminate compost and recycling systems.
Swap Tip: Buy loose produce when possible, and support brands that use plant-based or laser-etched labels.
Personal Care & Beauty Items with Plastic
Many personal care and beauty products we use every day contain hidden plastics—often without us realizing it. From makeup and sunscreen to wipes and menstrual products, plastic is commonly used in both the ingredients and packaging. These plastics not only contribute to pollution and microplastic buildup in the environment but may also expose our bodies to unnecessary chemicals.
In this section, you'll discover some of the most common personal care items that contain plastic and learn about sustainable, plastic-free alternatives that are safer for your health and the planet.
Sheet Masks
Most sheet masks come individually wrapped in plastic or foil-lined pouches, making them nearly impossible to recycle. The mask itself is often made from synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, which are derived from plastic. These materials give the mask durability but contribute significantly to waste.
Sustainable alternative: Choose reusable face masks or clay- or gel-based masks packaged in glass jars to reduce plastic use and single-use waste.
Wet Wipes
Makeup remover wipes, baby wipes, and moist toilet tissue may feel soft, but they’re often made from polyester—a form of plastic. These wipes don’t break down easily and commonly clog sewer systems or end up polluting beaches and waterways. As they degrade, they release microplastics into the environment.
Eco-friendly swap: Use biodegradable baby wipes or reusable cloth wipes to avoid contributing to plastic pollution.
Menstrual Products
Conventional menstrual pads can contain up to 90% plastic. Tampons may seem like a better option, but they often include plastic in the string and applicator.
Sustainable alternative: Try organic cotton tampons and pads, PFAS-free reusable cloth pads, or a reusable menstrual cup to dramatically reduce plastic waste during your period.
Bandages (Plasters)
Many adhesive bandages are made with plastic materials like PVC or polyethylene to enhance flexibility and durability. These types are not biodegradable and contribute to everyday plastic waste.
Greener choice: Look for compostable or biodegradable bandages made from bamboo fiber or other natural materials.
Glitter
Most commercial glitter is made from microplastics that easily enter waterways and oceans. Due to their size, they are virtually impossible to filter out of wastewater systems.
Plastic-free option: Choose biodegradable glitter made from plant cellulose if you want sparkle without environmental harm.
Makeup
Many mainstream cosmetics contain microplastics—particularly in products like mascara, lipstick, nail polish, face powder, and foundation. These microplastics may absorb into the skin or wash down the drain during removal, contributing to long-term pollution.
What to choose instead: Support natural beauty brands that offer plastic-free or microplastic-free makeup, with transparent ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.
Sunscreen
Up to 72% of sun care products contain microplastics, including many designed for children. These plastics help create waterproof UV barriers but can be absorbed by the skin or washed into the ocean, harming marine life.
Better alternative: Use reef-safe, plastic-free sunscreen that relies on mineral-based UV blockers like zinc oxide.
Shower Gel
While microbeads are now banned in many countries, some liquid shower gels still contain plastic-based cleansing agents or come in unrecyclable plastic packaging.
Sustainable switch: Use bar soap or refillable body wash from a zero-waste shop to reduce packaging waste and avoid hidden plastics.
Contact Lenses
Disposable contact lenses are made from non-biodegradable plastics. Since they are tiny and hard to recycle, they often end up in landfills or flushed down drains.
Eco tip: Choose monthly or extended-wear lenses instead of daily disposables, and always dispose of them properly through a lens recycling program if available.
Toothpaste
Microplastics have been used in some toothpaste formulas for abrasive purposes, though many brands have phased them out. More commonly, plastic is found in the packaging—most tubes are not recyclable.
Eco upgrade: Choose plastic-free toothpaste in jars or tooth tablets packaged in compostable or reusable containers.
Home & Household Items That Contain Plastic
When it comes to reducing plastic use, most people focus on food packaging and single-use items—but your home likely contains hidden plastics in everyday essentials. From laundry detergent pods to cleaning tools and receipts, many household products contain plastic in ways that aren’t always obvious. These materials can contribute to microplastic pollution, are often non-recyclable, and may expose you and your family to harmful chemicals.
In this section, you'll discover which home and household items are made with plastic, why they’re problematic, and what sustainable alternatives you can use instead.
Laundry Detergent Pods
Laundry pods may seem eco-friendly due to their compact design, but most are wrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)—a water-soluble plastic that breaks down into microplastics. Once flushed into wastewater systems, these particles can persist in the environment. To make matters worse, detergent pods are often sold in plastic containers, adding even more waste.
Swap suggestion: Use eco friendly powdered detergent in cardboard boxes or make your own DIY laundry detergent.
Wrapping Paper
Many types of wrapping paper look beautiful but are non-recyclable. Foils, glitter, plastic coatings, and lamination make them multi-material products, which can't be processed in standard recycling streams. Even some matte-looking paper contains hidden plastic.
Sustainable alternative: Reusable fabric wraps, kraft paper, or upcycled newspaper.
Receipts
Thermal paper receipts are not just paper—they're coated with plastic and chemical compounds like BPA or BPS. This coating makes them unrecyclable and a source of microplastic and chemical exposure.
Eco tip: Opt for digital receipts when available, and avoid touching receipts unnecessarily.
Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items globally—and they’re made of plastic. The filters contain cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that breaks down into microplastics over time. According to EarthDay.org, an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are polluting the planet.
Eco fact: Cigarette filters do not biodegrade and can leach toxic chemicals into waterways and soil.
Colored Pencils
Not all colored pencils are made from wood. Many modern, mass-produced pencils use wood-like plastic to reduce costs. This synthetic casing makes them non-compostable and potentially harmful if chewed or ingested by children.
Eco tip: Choose FSC-certified wooden pencils or refillable colored pencil sets.
Cleaning Tools & Supplies
Plastic in household cleaning isn’t limited to bottles. Many sponges, brushes, and scrubbing pads are made with polyester or nylon—both synthetic materials that shed microplastics during use. Even the liquid products can contain plastic microbeads or come in non-recyclable plastic packaging.
Sustainable swaps: Try compostable cellulose sponges, wooden brushes, and refillable cleaning concentrates in glass bottles.
Clothing & Lifestyle Items with Plastic
Plastic isn't just in packaging or disposable products—it’s also hiding in the clothes we wear, the yarn we sew with, and even the air we breathe. Many everyday lifestyle items contain synthetic materials or are treated with plastic-based chemicals, making them less eco-friendly than they appear. In this section, we’ll explore common clothing and lifestyle items that secretly contain plastic, explain why that matters, and offer simple, sustainable alternatives to reduce your daily plastic footprint.
Clothing
Many modern garments are made from synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, nylon, and microfibre fleece — all derived from crude oil. Every time you wash these clothes, they release microplastics into the water system, contributing to water pollution.
Better choice: Choose natural fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp, which are kinder to both your skin and the planet.
Yarn
Most conventional sewing yarn is made from polyester. When garments stitched with synthetic yarn are washed, they shed microplastics—just like synthetic fabric does.
Sustainable alternative: Opt for yarns made from organic cotton, linen, or TENCEL, which are biodegradable and safer for the environment.
Envelopes
Surprisingly, many envelopes have a thin plastic coating to strengthen the paper and protect it from moisture during transit. This layer makes them more durable—but also less recyclable.
Tip: Choose plastic-free envelopes made from recycled or compostable paper.
Money
Depending on the currency, many modern banknotes are no longer made from paper alone. To increase durability—especially when accidentally washed—plastic polymers are added to prevent them from falling apart.
Fun fact: Countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia now use fully polymer-based banknotes.
Tires
Tires are made from a mix of rubber and synthetic materials—including plastic-based compounds. As they wear down, they release microplastics into the air and water.
Eco tip: Drive less, switch to public transport when possible, and support tire recycling initiatives.
Fireworks
Fireworks are not just chemical pollutants—they also release plastic particles into the environment. After New Year's celebrations, streets and gardens are often littered with colorful plastic debris. These fragments don't just pollute the soil; they can also be ingested by wildlife.
Solution: Skip consumer fireworks and support community-organized laser or light shows instead.
Paint
Many conventional paints contain plastic ingredients like polyurethanes, polyvinyls, acrylics, and polyesters to make them more durable and weather-resistant.Better option: Choose mineral paints or lime-based paints that are plastic-free and breathable—especially for interior walls and woodwork.
Light Bulbs
Light bulbs, including many LED types, often use acrylic or polycarbonate plastic in their casings. Due to the combination of materials (glass, plastic, and metals), they’re rarely recyclable via household systems.
Tip: Extend their life by using high-efficiency LED bulbs and dispose of them at designated collection points.
Air
Yes, microplastics are even in the air we breathe. They come from many sources: tire wear, synthetic clothing fibers released during movement, and industrial dust.Health concern: Inhalation of microplastic particles may irritate lung tissue. Although long-term effects are still being researched, early studies suggest potential links to respiratory issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hidden Plastics
What are everyday items that contain plastic?
Many common household products contain hidden plastic, including tea bags, sea salt, kitchen sponges, canned food linings, paper coffee cups, and chewing gum. Even items labeled as “paper” or “natural” may have plastic coatings or components.
Why do everyday products have plastic in them?
Manufacturers often use plastic to improve durability, moisture resistance, flexibility, and shelf life. For example, plastic is added to tea bags to seal them, to cans to prevent corrosion, and to paper cups to hold liquids.
Are these hidden plastics harmful to health?
Yes, in some cases. Microplastics can leach from packaging or enter your body through food, water, and air. Studies suggest long-term exposure may affect human health, though more research is still needed. Avoiding plastic where possible is a safer choice.
How can I avoid hidden plastics in everyday items?
Switch to alternatives like loose-leaf tea, glass containers, compostable sponges, and uncoated paper or bamboo products. Read labels carefully and look for plastic-free, biodegradable, or certified compostable options.
Are “biodegradable” or “compostable” items really plastic-free?
Not always. Some products labeled “biodegradable” still contain small amounts of plastic or break down only in industrial composting conditions. Look for third-party certifications like OK Compost, TÜV Austria, or BPI Certified Compostable to be sure.
Is it possible to go completely plastic-free at home?
Going 100% plastic-free is very challenging, but you can significantly reduce your plastic footprint by making mindful swaps and choosing reusable, durable, and natural materials whenever possible.
Conclusion: Small Swaps, Big Impact
Plastic has found its way into more parts of our daily lives than we realize—from tea bags and salt to kitchen sponges and even produce stickers. These everyday items may seem harmless, but over time, their plastic components contribute to growing environmental and health concerns, including microplastic pollution.
The good news? Awareness is the first step toward change. By identifying where plastic hides in your home, you can start making small, impactful swaps—choosing natural, reusable, or compostable alternatives that are safer for you and better for the planet.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Even replacing a few plastic-filled items can reduce your environmental footprint and inspire others to do the same. Together, these small actions lead to meaningful progress toward a more sustainable, plastic-free lifestyle.
