The Plastics Dilemma Part 3

12 Smart Swaps to Break Free from Plastic Dependency

By Dr. Jeffrey A. Morrison

In Part 1 of this series, we explored how plastics have evolved from a revolutionary invention into a widespread health and environmental threat. In Part 2, we followed a typical day to uncover the hidden ways plastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) quietly enter our lives.

Now that we understand the problem, it is time to focus on what we can do about it. Fortunately, the solutions are not only practical, they are empowering.

You do not need to live off the grid or throw out everything you own. What matters is taking conscious steps, one decision at a time. When you reduce plastic exposure in your daily life, you protect your health and help create a cleaner, safer world for future generations.

This guide is a roadmap to begin that process.

Why Now? The Data Is In

Global plastic production continues to climb—nearly 460 million tonnes are expected to be produced in 2025. Yet only about 9.5–10% of plastic is ever recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or leaks into our environment.

Each year, more than 19 million tonnes of plastic enter the environment due to poor waste management—and 11 million tonnes reach our oceans.

But the issue doesn’t stop there. Microplastics are now found in table salt, drinking water, the air we breathe, and even inside our own bodies. Scientists have detected plastic particles in the lungs, liver, bloodstream, placenta, brain, and ovarian fluid. Alarmingly, some estimates suggest the average adult now consumes up to 5 grams of microplastics per week—about the weight of a credit card. That’s six times more than in 1990.

In other words: the problem is growing, not shrinking.

How to Break Free from Plastic, One Swap at a Time

Let’s revisit the four guiding principles introduced in Blog 1:

1. Reduce the amount of plastic you bring into your home and routine.

2. Reuse durable, long-lasting alternatives to single-use plastics.

3. Recycle correctly and consistently to keep waste out of landfills.

4. Refuse products that contain plasticizers or are wrapped in unnecessary plastic.

The good news is, you can begin today. Here are 12 specific, evidence-based swaps to reduce your plastic exposure.

Kitchen and Home Swaps

These simple swaps eliminate the risk of microplastic shedding, reduce exposure to plasticizers, and minimize long-term waste. For example, when you store hot food in plastic or microwave leftovers in plastic containers, plasticizers like BPA and phthalates are more likely to leach into your food.

By storing your food in glass containers, especially when heating, you reduce chemical migration and preserve the integrity of your meals.

Personal Care and Wellness Swaps

Remember, your skin is your body’s largest organ. Many personal care products are designed to be absorbed, which means the ingredients matter. Plasticizer compounds and synthetic preservatives, such as parabens and phthalates, are frequently found in mainstream products and can act as endocrine disruptors. Replacing them with clean, well-sourced alternatives supports both detoxification and hormonal balance.

Beyond the Products: Shifting Your Lifestyle

Making product swaps is just the beginning. A truly plastic-conscious lifestyle includes:

• Buying in bulk to reduce packaging

• Choosing products with MadeSafe™ or EWG Verified™ certifications

• Bringing your own reusable shopping and produce bags

• Avoiding fast fashion and choosing natural fiber clothing

• Choosing whole foods over processed items that come in plastic

The process is not about perfection. It is about shifting your default setting from convenience to intention.

How to Detox from Plastic Exposure

Reducing exposure is powerful. But what about the plastics and toxins already in your system?

Supporting your body’s natural detoxification pathways is a key part of recovery and resilience. Here’s how:

• Eat a fiber-rich diet with cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, arugula, and cabbage) to support liver detox and hormone balance

• Hydrate with filtered water to assist kidney function and toxin elimination

• Sweat regularly through exercise or sauna to encourage release of toxins through the skin

• Use antioxidant support, such as vitamin C, glutathione, or NAC, to counter oxidative stress caused by plasticizers

• Support gut health with probiotic-rich foods (like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir) to enhance detox through the digestive system

For personalized support, we encourage patients to take our Symptom Survey, which identifies health imbalances and helps us recommend targeted supplements to support liver, hormone, and immune function. Detoxing isn’t about restriction or extremes—it’s about strengthening your body’s natural ability to heal.

Let Your Choices Speak for You

Every product you purchase, every bag you refuse, every container you replace, sends a message about the world you want to live in. It is not about guilt or fear. It is about possibility.

As a physician, I believe that healing starts with awareness followed by aligned action. Reducing your plastic exposure is one of the most direct ways to support your hormones, protect your detox systems, and care for your long-term wellbeing.

A Final Word and a New Beginning

This is the final post in our Plastics Awareness Series.

• In Part 1, we explored the science and global scale of the plastic dilemma.

• In Part 2, we took a personal journey through how plastic shows up in our daily routine.

• In this post, we offered practical, sustainable solutions to begin making a change.

If you have read this far, you are already part of the shift.

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” — Howard Zinn

Let’s choose a future that supports life, not synthetic convenience. Let’s replace plastic with intention, and fear with action.

If you need guidance on where to begin, The Morrison Center is here to support you.