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Below is my interview with long-time Clean sponsors Jay and Chantal – owners of Life Without Plastic. They have some great reasons to avoid plastic, healthy alternatives, and educational resources as well. At the bottom of the post is a generous giveaway and coupon code, so read on! .
What is your company and how long have you been in business?
We are Chantal and Jay – we are Life Without Plastic, a family-run one-stop shop for high quality, safe and ethically-sourced plastic-free products. We strive to be a hub for information on plastics and plastic alternatives. We have been in business since 2006, though much of what we do has been developing since we were born, and most proactively since our son was born.
What is your favorite item from your shop?
Hmmm, that is a tough one. It's difficult to choose one favorite, but I guess it would have to be our stainless steel airtight containers. They are so versatile and are making a real dent in the use of Tupperware and disposables for lunches and take out. We use them, quite literally, every single day in some way or another – our son's lunch, leftovers in the fridge, freezing, going for a hike…
Why move away from plastic? It doesn't break. It's light. Why find alternatives?
Yes, unbreakability and lightness are great qualities, and we do acknowledge the helpful role plastics can play in society. But… we see plastic in general, and especially for everyday use with food and in the home, as a bit of a ticking time bomb, both from a health and environmental perspective.
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The body of scientific research on common plastics is growing constantly with new studies of adverse effects from plastic use appearing regularly. Perhaps the most front and center example is that of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), which most researchers, and many countries, now agree is worth banning in certain products because of it's links to developmental disorders, and even cancers.
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Environmentally, plastic waste is not hard to find, and it is actually much worse than it may appear in most places. For example, a new University of Washington study estimates ocean plastic pollution is underestimated by factors ranging from 2.5x to 27x depending on the area of the ocean and weather conditions, especially wind. More and more, the problems associated with plastic are going to pop up all over the place.
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What else should we know?
There is lots that any individual person can do take action to reduce plastic pollution. Take the REFUSE pledge at the Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) and apply it in your everyday life. Support other organizations like PPC also doing important work… such as Environmental Working Group, Algalita Marine Research Foundation, 5Gyres. Follow Beth Terry's blog My Plastic-free Life and buy her new book to discover all kinds of great tips for living plastic-free.
Life Without Plastic is offering 10% off any order through the end of August 2012. Use coupon code "LUSALWP10".
They are also offering one winner a large round airtight glass container with a stainless steel lid. To enter simply leave a comment here. For an extra entry share this post (via Twitter, Facebook, telephone, or email. I trust you.) or like Life Without Plastic on Facebook. (Be sure to leave a second comment if you do one of these.)
Comments are now closed. The winner is fyrebloom who said:
We're still trying to get as little plastic as possible, but our storage still has plastic lids so this would be perfect!
Thanks for your thoughtful work, Life Without Plastic.
Ew plastic!
What a great way to stop using plastic! I’ve been looking for something exactly like this.
What a great website! You guys are wonderful motivators. We have started slowly trying to get rid of plastic: glass bowls with plastic lids are nice, but very heavy and not very portable.
Love these guys. We purged plastic from our kitchen awhile ago, but still keep a small stash of containers when we have more leftovers than we have glass containers. We’re slowly trying to increase our stash. Thanks for the opportunity!
We’ve been getting rid of plastic a while ago, switching mostly to glass, but also some stainless steel. And we love it!
slowly switching all things in my kitchen…..thanks for the giveaway!
keri
I am making the transition to less plastic and I love it. No more plastic storage containers.
I liked them on facebook!
Thanks for the giveaway, very excited to check them out.
Like so many others who have commented here, I’ve been slowly making the switch from plastic to glass/stainless steel and trying to avoid bringing any new plastic into our life. It’s an ongoing struggle! Businesses like Life Without Plastic give me hope. 🙂
I’ve liked them on Facebook.
Cool! I’ve been taking my lunch to work in a ceramic bowl because I don’t want to use plastic but it of course can’t be sealed up. It’s great to learn of this alternative.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Am slowly making the move away from plastics in our house. We make purchases based on packaging and have slowly built up our glass storage menagerie. I’d love to try these stainless steel products too!
we would LOVE this!
Very cool – I didn’t know that there were options to the plastic “lunch” type containers. Thanks for sharing this info!
I’m excited to go on your website and see what all you have! I have thought about reducing/eliminating plastic but more information and good products would certainly be a boost! 🙂
AWESOME – love the stainless lidded containers.
These containers are great. I really hate my plastic tupperware and have looked for alternatives. I have finance issues so I havent been able to afford to replace them but i refuse to buy new and once my plastic ones are dead I’ll save up to buy something sustainable. keep up the great work!
I “Like” you guys and shared the interview on Facebook (Becky Holly Smith)!
Perfect for my daughters lunches. and picnics in the park!
We have been trying to make the move away from plastic food storage containers — it’s hard! They’re so easy and light to grab and great in lunchboxes. I applaud your work to help us make this shift. And I hope I win the giveaway! 😀
What a wonderful giveaway! We are trying to reduce plastic in our home and this would be very helpful.
I would LOVE to win your giveaway! I am going to your website to look at the lunch containers right now!! I’m becoming ever aware of the nasty plastic as I live very close to Kamilo Beach…a beach that collects plastic and marine debris from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Thanks Rachel for this wonderful reminder!!
Shared on Facebook!
Like Life Without Plastic on Facebook!
What a great resource! I don’t use plastic containers to store food in, but most of my containers do have plastic lids. I didn’t realize this option was out there. Thanks!
Huzzah! I have very few plastic containers and would love to ditch those, too!!
I (loved) Lif w/out Plastic on FB
I’ve never seen a glass/ stainless combo food container like that! I’d love to try it 🙂
I love the resources you give for HOW to go plastic free. I’ve seen article after article about why you should but never really known how to make it fit my life too! Thank you. 🙂
I love Life Without Plastic! I have been needing to add to my collection. Thank you for the discount!
I also pinned this article. 🙂
Love this company!
Thanks for this chance to win! Hate plastic, love this company.
Liked and shared! Thanks!
We are slowly switching out our plastic things over time. I will definitely check out Life Without Plastic!
I also “liked” them on Facebook.
Our family is slowly getting rid of all the plastic in our kitchen. Their containers seem great!
I liked Life Without Plastic on Facebook. Thanks!
What a wonderful giveaway – I love Life WIthout Plastic – now I have to hop over & use the coupon code! xo
I use a lot of glass jars for storage instead of plastic. Love anything that puts less plastic in my life!
It’s so great to know about vendors like this. I’m slowly moving my family away from plastic food storage. That mostly means glass and ceramics, but this week I cooked for a potluck at a public park where they do not allow glass containers. I’ll be checking out some of the metal containers!
those tins look great
I’ve been trying to transition away from plastic, and am a little nervous about all glass. I didn’t even think about metal items! I broke a glass last weekend, so there is a far less chance of my clumsiness ruining a metal tin!
I liked life without plastic on DB (Lindsay Maki)
I love the idea of being plastic free. Transition is always the hardest part….right? Cheers to a beautifully growing company and for this generous give away.
P.s. I liked them on Facebook.
I’ve been trying to get rid of plastic and paper products, forever! They still keep crawling into my house.
Ohhhhh I would love these. Much lighter than glass and less breakage!
I also liked you on facebook and shared this post! More entries, Yay!
I like them on FB today – not sure why they weren’t already liked so thanks for the reminder. They make it look oh so easy…one day.
Oh, this container looks great! I’d love a chance to win. Thank you!
I love Life Without Plastic! I first learned about them on this very blog years ago and have since ordered so many of their products, all of which are amazing. A great company with great customer service too. I recently ordered more metal cups for my toddler who has returned to the glass throwing(and breaking)phase…
We use a lot of glass jars to store things in- these metal containers make so much more sense!
It would be fun to try one of these. Thanks!
love lw/op on Facebook!
love this give away thanks
“thanks for enlightening me on this subject! love this opportunity for the give away.”
We have been switching to glass containers but most have plastic lids. I love the idea of a metal top! Thanks for the chance to try one out.
A simply perfect giveaway! Thank you so much.
I’ve been meaning to get rid of my plastic, but haven’t really been motivated. This gave me something to think about. Would love to win
I “liked” life without plastic on facebook and shared post
Oh my goodness! We are trying to go plastic free and are slowly getting there 🙂 Winning this would be a neat item for our stash. Either way, will be ordering. Thanks for introducing me to this great website!
We’be been using glass containers for storage and travel for some time now. These would be a great addition. Thanks for the chance! I “Liked” you on FB too!
My husband bikes to work and for safety reasons does not take his leftovers lunch in a glass container, only plastic. We have not found a metal one that does not leak…perhaps this is the one?
We love Life Without Plastic! It supplied most of the items on my new baby registry when my daughter was born. Good work!
This looks so cool!
I tweeted the giveaway. https://twitter.com/Mom24Babes/status/231776724302573568
We can always use some new containers.
I “like” Life Without Plastic on FB.
I saw this company mnetioned in Beth Terry’s book and have been meaning to check them out. Thanks for the opportunity to win a container!
PS-I also just “liked” them on Facebook. Thanks!
Interesting. I didn’t know there were glass containers with stainless steel lids. Cool!
I love LWP! I find myself over there surfing for fun stuff quite a bit 🙂
Just ‘liked’ them on FB 🙂
Amazing company! Trying to use as little plastic as possible in our family 😉
These are way better than the ball jars we use to tote food in. Plastic is icky.
This would be great! I’ve been working on eliminating my plastic.
I liked Life Without Plastic on fb. Thanks!
I would love this. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks!
Stainless steel would be a great alternative to glass when we are out and about. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Life without Plastic. What a nice giveaway!
Holy smokes; keeping my fingers cross for this one. 🙂
Nice giveaway
Excited to see this post as I am halfway through the book Plastic Free. Reducing plastic use is a very worthwhile goal and it’s inspirational to see how passionate these folks are.
I liked Life Without Plastic on Facebook!
Liked LWOP on facebook.
Everybody has those little obsessions for certain kinds of objects, right? Mine is for glass tupperware. Thanks for your sponsorship!
Ew…this will inspire me to pick off my less-plastic living. I love these ideas and products!
Just “liked” Life Without Plastic on Facebook
I am so excited about this giveaway, I currently use plastic Dora explorer containers for snacks and always feel weird bringing them out on the town. These products sound great!
I shared the giveaway on Facebook!
0h, lovely! thank you, all, for such a generous giveaway.
i like “life without plastic” on fb 🙂
I would love to win this! Due to some medical needs, I use more plastic than I would like out of necessity, and it would be great to cut back in other ways. I will stalk their site till I get enough cash to buy some!
Piece by piece I am replacing the plastic containers in my life with new metal or glass pieces. Remarkably, my husband (the biggest user of containers for his lunches) always brings home and promptly takes care of the glass containers. Most of the plastic ones get forgotten by him, I think that subconsciously he respects them more, he knows they aren’t just throw away.
Been slowly getting rid of plastics. i can never remember. to bring a container when we eat out
I’ve been trying to cut back on the amount of plastic we use,especially in the kitchen, but it is slow going.
Thanks for the giveaway! LWP is a great company and I love what they’re doing!
We are working on using less plastic. What a great give away and a great company!
I’ve liked LWP on FB!
I too have become more concerned with our plastic use now that there’s a kiddo in my life. It’s amazing how becoming a parent changes you in even little ways. I’m looking to build our lunchbox container collection now that he is getting older. I am adding LWOP to my list of places to go!
P.S. I “liked” them. Not just for another entry because now I’m interested!
Hello Rachel and All!
Thank you Rachel for your lovely post and interview and kind words of support. We too love what you do.
Just a quick note to your wonderful readers out there… Our apologies, we had a problem with the coupon code that has now been fixed. So if you tried it and it did not work, please do try again: LUSALWP10
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at any time.
Warmly, gratefully, LUSAfully,
Jay for LWP
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. I would love to win, what a green alternative to food storage.
I like Life without Plastic on Facebook.
My family is committed to reducing plastic in our lives and on our planet…thank you for providing such stellar alternatives!
Liked “Life Without Plastic.com” on FB!
Post shared! 🙂
Just beginning to rid my life of plasic, i hope i win!
Thanks for raising awareness and offering healthy alternatives to plastic! I wish more people would become passionate and pro-active about this issue. As a single mother of two young boys in our household, we are in the process of phasing out and switching over completely… so if we could win the give away item that would be great!!! 🙂 Keep up the good work!
thanks for the giveaway. i have been wanting to try one of these containers! we are slowly removing plastic from our home and are focusing on our kitchen first.
post shared, and i already like life without plastic on facebook 🙂
Love your products. Trying to get away from plastics is rough, but you make it easier.
We’re still trying to get as little plastic as possible, but our storage still has plastic lids so this would be perfect!
Stainless Steel and Glass are my favorite materials for storing food. Leftovers, lunchboxes, picnics, travel, you name it. Especially water gets a really nasty rancid taste when you store it in plastic. So no more plastic for me!
I love the glass containers with a stainless steel top. I dont use plastic at all anymore. We even have a stainless steel container to take with us for leftovers. No styrofoam or plastic. I have started asking for no straws in my drinks at restaurants and I am going to take a step further to ask that they dont serve them to anyone. There is a website to refer them to even. I have even found a replacement for sarahwrap. Its made from beeswax for those items to big for containers we have or dont have a top but just a glass container. Its great. I would love to have another stainless top and glass container. They are wonderful and I tell everyone about the effects of using plastic to store food or do anything with food.
Once you stop using those little plastic baggies, you’ll never go back! I love all my reusable stainless containers and fabric snack bags!
I have already glass containers with plastic lids but I think the ones in metal will be lighter. I’d like to try one!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/yuki_kokoro/status/234113597758918656
yuki@michelf.com
Thanks!!
I’ve recently moved away from plastic, but I just broke a glass glass. I love the idea of metal products. Durable and no off-gassing!
I liked life without plastic on FB, Lindsay Maki
Thanks for highlighting this shop! I was a little bummed to see that the ice cube trays are out of stock, but in searching around on the ‘net I saw the suggestion to use little stainless steel measuring cups instead (e.g. on a tray). Since the liquids I’m freezing are stock, tomato sauce, etc., that’s perfect.
Where I’m stumped on going plastic free is w/frozen vegetables. (I don’t like them getting all frosty!)
Thanks for the giveaway! LWP is a great company and I love what they’re doing!
http://www.thehalffund.org