Can we live without plastics? We don't have the definitive answer. But we do have one certainty: every small change counts, and the future is built with the decisions we make today. At Real Fábrica, we have long embraced this commitment. We are not perfect, but we are moving steadily towards a more sustainable, more conscious way of doing things, and, curiously, more similar to that of our grandmothers than to the modern world that surrounds us.
Is it possible to live without plastics nowadays?
The challenge of living without plastics in a plasticized world.
We live surrounded by plastic. It's in food packaging, clothing, cosmetics, toys, furniture. Even in the air we breathe and the water we drink. The task of reducing it—let alone eliminating it altogether—may seem Herculean.
[ You might also be interested in > How to get back to your routine with gusto: home rituals ]
But it's not about achieving perfection, but about adopting a change in perspective. About asking ourselves if all that plastic we use is really necessary and taking action to do without it when we can.
Data that invites reflection.
According to the UN, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year. Of these, only 9% is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or worse, in nature. In the sea, every minute, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into the water.
[ You might also be interested in > The agricultural calendar: how it marked our lives before the digital clock ]
Rediscovering the old ways: the solution that was in our grandmothers' homes.
Life without plastic before plastic
There was a time not so long ago when people lived without plastics. Pantry shelves held glass jars, cheeses were wrapped in paper, children carried their sandwiches in cloth napkins, and bags were wicker baskets passed down from generation to generation.
It wasn't about environmentalism. It was about common sense. About economy, about habit, about practicality. And, in a way, about beauty too. Because there was an implicit care in those everyday gestures.
The charm of reusable items: bottles, jars, baskets
Returning to glass, metal, and wood. Recovering those noble materials that not only last longer but also have a soul. Today at Real Fábrica we use recycled glass bottles, wooden boxes, cloth bags, and wrapping paper with the scent of old printing presses. And yes, they weigh more. But they also weigh better.
Our commitment at Real Fábrica: to protect without polluting.
How we prepare ceramic and glass orders
Every order that leaves our store is like a gift. And as such, we wrap it with care. But also with conscience. Ceramics and glass need protection, yes, but not at any cost.
[ You might also be interested in > “Better a little and good than a lot and bad”: the philosophy behind the handcrafted product ]
Sustainable and beautiful "bubble wrap"
That's why we replaced bubble wrap with a sustainable alternative a long time ago: a mesh-shaped paper that cushions, protects, and beautifies. It almost looks like lace, and when it arrives at home, it's a shame to throw it away (although it's compostable). Sometimes, you even tell us that you reuse it to wrap gifts.
Sustainability without losing the soul.
Because at Real Fábrica we believe that sustainability is not incompatible with aesthetics, nor with affection. Each package we prepare contains something more than just a product: it carries a way of seeing the world. Slower, kinder, more alive.
Small gestures, big changes: ideas to reduce plastic at home
In the kitchen : from film to cloth
Replace plastic wrap with beeswax-coated cloth lids, store food in glass jars, use esparto or luffa scouring pads. Small changes that, in the long run, make a big difference.
In the bathroom: solid cosmetics and wooden brushes
Solid shampoos, artisan soaps , bamboo toothbrushes, natural sponges. Products that, in addition to reducing waste, transform the routine into a ritual.
On the street: water bottles and cloth bags
Going out with a reusable bottle, a pretty lunchbox, a cloth bag in your purse. These are gestures that connect us with a lighter and more responsible way of living.
Buy less, buy better: responsible consumption as a tool.
Quality over quantity
It's not about stopping consumption, but about consuming wisely. Choosing durable, quality products that don't break after the second use. Betting on well-made things.
Support local, handcrafted, and durable products.
Every time you choose a handcrafted product, you are saying no to disposable plastic, unnecessary transportation, and soulless mass production. You are opting for proximity, care, and the value of things.
Living without plastics is not going back, it's moving forward with purpose.
What's important is not perfection, but the intention.
You don't have to live in a cabin or make soap at home to be more sustainable. Just make small changes, little by little. Intentionally consider what you do and ask yourself if there's another way to do it.
Taking care of the planet is taking care of our loved ones.
Because when we reduce the use of plastic, we are not only taking care of the planet. We are also taking care of our health, the health of those who will come after us, and the health of the trades and knowledge that deserve to remain alive.
Living without plastics may not be entirely possible. But moving towards it, yes. And if we take that path with care, with commitment and with memory... then we are closer to a future that resembles the best of the past.
_________________________
Real Fábrica is a project born to celebrate what's ours: what's well-made, what has history and soul. We travel across Spain in search of traditional products, those that smell of childhood, of the village, of long after-dinner conversations. You can discover our pieces in the online store , read the stories we tell in the blog , and join our community by subscribing to the newsletter .