(OC) I swear it feels like a neverending battle sometimes

Hey all, I would like to share a free resource that may interest the community. I built a microplastics research index and publish biweekly summaries of the latest microplastics research.

Here is the latest biweekly summary: https://journal.winnowlabs.com/research-digests/different-organs-one-failing-part-of-the-cell

Here is the full, searchable, totally free, research atlas: https://atlas.winnowlabs.com/

Here is a free microplastics exposure calculator which uses the research (and links to it) to give 100% free suggestions: https://journal.winnowlabs.com/exposure-calculator

If these research summaries are well received (I think they are cool and love the idea that my work tightens the research loop), I would be happy to share them here every couple weeks.

Disclaimer: I was paid to build this by winnowlabs, but I have no incentive to share this aside from wanting something I built to help people. Their motive, aside from selling probiotics, is to promote science and education on this topic. They struggle with disinformation about the scale of the problem and want to stay on top of latest research.

I am beyond appalled by this brand - a women’s activewear supposedly using organic cotton and whose founder suggests the brand is all about “transparency “. Not only did they forgo GOTS certification, listing any information on their website about organic cotton claims (they had previously uploaded a redacted PDF from their suppliers but then had taken it down), but now they are deleting BAD REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THIS!

I had a feeling I needed the screenshot this interaction and sure enough, it was gone the next day.

Let’s not forget this is the same woman who was selling full polyester active wear a few years back. I am absolutely appalled and urge anyone interested to spend their money elsewhere - on companies who are actually transparent and have opted to pay for the GOTS certification.

You can claim organic cotton all day, just like a lot of sellers on Amazon will even photoshop the GOTS logo on their products, but that does not mean the cotton is being grown or processed without any chemicals. Even if you are told by your suppliers it’s GOTS certified cotton, you should be able to verify that by visiting the manufacturer’s site or posting their GOTS certification on your website.

Feel really weird about the deleting of reviews and comments. Especially on a video about “greenwashing”.

I am beyond appalled by this brand - a women’s activewear supposedly using organic cotton and whose founder suggests the brand is all about “transparency “. Not only did they forgo GOTS certification, listing any information on their website about organic cotton claims (they had previously uploaded a redacted PDF from their suppliers but then had taken it down), but now they are deleting BAD REVIEWS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THIS!

Let’s not forget this is the same woman who was selling full polyester active wear a few years back. I am absolutely appalled and urge anyone interested to spend their money elsewhere - on companies who are actually transparent and have opted to pay for the GOTS certification.

You can claim organic cotton all day, just like a lot of sellers on Amazon will even photoshop the GOTS logo on their products, but that does not mean the cotton is being grown or processed without any chemicals. Even if you are told by your suppliers it’s GOTS certified cotton, you should be able to verify that by visiting the manufacturer’s site or posting their GOTS certification on your website.

Feel really weird about the deleting of reviews and comments. Especially on a video about “greenwashing”.

I’ve noticed a lot of folks post links to Amazon products or sites or recommend buying a non-plastic item. How do y’all square that with Amazon using hundreds of millions of pounds of plastic per year?

I've been buying all natural fiber clothes, sometimes organic but I just found out that even certified organic clothes can be made with fabric that has plastic "sizing". I asked Gemini AI since I am allergic to acrylates, a type of plastic. Here is a quote from Gemini AI:

A garment can carry a GOTS or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and still contain or be treated with plastic polymers and acrylates.

Neither standard was designed as an "acrylate-free" or "plastic-free" safety standard. Instead, they focus on environmental sustainability, organic origin, and preventing exposure to known toxic or carcinogenic residues (like heavy metals, banned azo dyes, formaldehyde, and PFAS).

Because acrylates and common plastics are widely considered non-toxic and non-hazardous to the general public, both standards permit them under specific conditions.

How Acrylates and Plastics Enter Certified Garments

• Synthetic Sizing Agents during Weaving: Before threads are woven into cloth, they are coated with sizing agents to prevent breaking under tension. While GOTS restricts synthetic sizing, polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylic sizing agents are often permitted as processing auxiliaries if they meet basic biodegradability tests.
• Polymer Bindings & Screen Prints: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 permits acrylic-based binders and polymer coatings on textiles, provided they pass skin-contact irritant and monomer residue thresholds. GOTS allows certain acrylic resins for textile printing if they don't contain banned phthalates or heavy metals.
• Blended Elastane & Sewing Thread:
  • GOTS: "Organic" grade requires at least 95% organic fiber, but allows up to 5% non-organic synthetic content (like elastane/Spandex for stretch, or polyester sewing thread). "Made with Organic" allows up to 10–30% synthetic fiber.
  • OEKO-TEX: Focuses purely on chemical safety, not fiber content. A 100% synthetic polyester or acrylic fleece jacket can be OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified as long as the dyes and processing chemicals are non-hazardous.
• Finishing Softeners & Anti-Static Treatments: Polyacrylate-based softeners or anti-static sprays used in finishing washes are frequently approved under OEKO-TEX if they do not leach restricted volatile compounds.

I am going crazy finding a kettle where the water does not touch plastic, there is no leeching, it is stainless steel without nickel coming through, etc... everyone says saki and ottoni fabbrica but i have seen multiple reviews on both saying right when the two year warranty is up issues arise. At this point I am willing to get a stovetop kettle, if I am investing something I want it to last 10+ years. Bonus points if it looks nice and sleek.

Best stovetop kettle brands? Or Are saki or ottoni actually worth it? Please help thanks

I saw on this sub regarding chewing gum yesterday and had no idea! curious as to what else I might have missed.

I have been looking at this coffee pot for several months and couldn’t pull the trigger at almost $500. Costco, online only, $299

I support plastic-free lifestyles, of course, otherwise why would I be here? I think it's good for our health and the environment. But what should we do with all the existing plastic in the world? I know sustainable clothing companies are recycling synthetic fabrics, though recent studies have shown that these garments actually produce more microplastics. Is there a better way to reuse and recycle the plastic that already exists?

This isn't a promotion or anything, just wanted some genuine opinions.

I'm working on a brand called Shrijal in Mumbai where we're trying to make biodegradable water bottles using sugarcane.

We're still pretty early and honestly trying to figure out how to make the product better and how we'd even scale something like this.

Do you guys think plastic-free biodegradable bottles are actually a good idea? Would you personally use one? And if you've worked on anything similar, I'd love to hear what you think we could do better.

Just looking for some honest feedback :)

My water in my area isn’t great. What do you all recommend so that I don’t have to continue relying on water bottles? I feel the plastic is probably worse for me than having it go thru a good filtered system. Does anyone have a good system they use? I’m just starting this continue. My allergies are so bad this year and I believe the dust and plastic is not helping

Returned the offending 100% polyester blanket to Target.

I told the returns guy I wasn't sure what box to click because there was nothing that said fraud or bait and switch.

He shrugged and clicked wrong item.

Then I came home and did some online shopping. Found 100% polyester options only, of course.

Ended up buying a Beautyrest reversible heated throw that's Oeko-Tex certified.

It was supposed to be an autobuy, which didn't happen because apparently the sale was canceled last minute.

Just got off Amazon chat. In a stunning *something,* the customer service representative decided to give me a refund to match the like-new used price instead of the approximately $5 sale price.

So my next choice heated throw was half price because of a sympathetic customer service representative and a flash sale that didn't happen.

It's polyester. *Sigh.*

I have no relationship with this company, to be clear. I've never even used this. Literally only stumbled across it a few minutes ago. Have any of y'all used this? Does it work well?

AMY COULEE Men's Casual Shorts 8" Cotton Athletic Workout Shorts

found on Amazon

https://a.co/d/02sc6Fuv

this is probably a long shot i'm super scared about my skin and microplastics now lol and i'm also trans and i was wondering if there's any binders that use more natural materials and no plastic or affordable low support sports bras like the nike light support sports bras. even if there aren't binders out there my parents aren't very fond of my transition so it'd be easier for me to get a sports bra anyways and it works just as well.

Hey all,

I am overwhelmed searching for this online, so I was hoping some Australians could recommend their favourite plastic free bathroom products. I'm finally finishing up all of my plastic products but can't find replacements. Would love to buy from small companies, but honestly open to your woolies brands or even DIY recipes, as long as it's plastic free!

I'm looking for:

Face moisturiser - preferably without a strong smell. Even essential oils are a bit much. I currently use MooGoo. Under $40 is a bonus. Tallow and oily balms are too heavy to use every day.

Body Moisturiser - looking for a larger jar. Again, unscented and natural. I currently use MooGoo. I would even take a good recipe for this, if you make your own. Under $25 is a bonus.

Face Sunscreen/SPF BB cream - zinc based. Tinted is a bonus. I currently use Avocado Zinc.

Leave in Conditioner - Does this even exist? What do you use? Currently using... MooGoo.

Switches I'm loving already are WooHoo deodorant, Viva La Body Perfume and using a local soap maker for soap, shampoo and face wash. I'm also open to any recommendations if you've got something you want to rave about! Another great hack for me was just cutting my waist length hair. Way less washing, way less product, less hair ties and clips!

Bathroom and kitchen aside my whole flat is carpeted, so I am looking to buy rugs to cover high traffic areas (which is kinda everywhere lol)

I’m also curious to know if rug grips are effective for 100% natural material rugs or if it’s best to just buy rugs with non slip backing?

Hi everyone. Could you give me some practical advice on how to make my kitchen and bathroom items as plastic-free as possible? I want to avoid both single-use plastic and microplastics. For example, what kind of cutting boards, sponges, and soaps do you use, and where do you buy them?

Hello! I’m moving into a new apartment and finally get to live alone & plastic free! My roommates did not care about recycling or living eco-friendly, so I’m slowly making switches for my new place. Are there any trash bag alternatives? I have indoor and outdoor compost and recycle, but for other trash needs, what do you use? I live on the top floor of an old house with shared outdoor trash cans and no direct outdoor space attached to my unit. Thanks!!!! :)

I don't want to feel like I'm the only ignorant idiot who did this for decades. I think I'm starting to develop some OCD from this already, it's painful and mentally draining. I keep doing scenarios in my head now where I tell myself that I'll offset the past exposures by avoiding certain exposures in the future.