What if reducing your exposure to plastic chemicals was as simple as changing what touches your food?

New research from The University of Western Australia has delivered a surprisingly hopeful answer. A clinical trial called the Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health (PERTH) Trial found that reducing contact with plastics through food, kitchenware and personal care products could lower plastic chemical levels in the body in as little as seven days. 

That’s right. Just one week!

Plastic Chemicals Are Everywhere

The trial followed 211 healthy adults across Perth over three years, measuring exposure to plastic-associated chemicals through urine, blood and nasal samples. Researchers focused on two common chemical groups: bisphenols and phthalates.

Bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, are often found in hard plastics like bottles and tubs. Phthalates are commonly used in soft plastics such as cling wrap. Both groups of chemicals can interfere with hormonal or endocrine function in the body and have been linked to health concerns including infertility and cardiometabolic disease. Researchers also note that BPA replacements such as BPS may carry similar potential risks, raising further concern about everyday exposure through food packaging and plastic products.

Researchers found that 100 per cent of participants had high levels of plastic chemicals in their bodies, with each person showing at least six different chemical types on any given day.The biggest contributors? Highly processed, packaged and canned foods and beverages.

The Seven-Day Swap

To test whether reducing exposure could make a difference, 60 participants, split into five groups took part in the randomised and controlled seven-day low-plastic lifestyle intervention.

Researchers replaced common plastic touch points with lower-plastic alternatives. The first group was delivered food that had never touched plastic during production or packaging. Another group had their kitchen audited and swapped plastic utensils for stainless steel and wooden options. The last group did all of the above as well as replacing personal care products with plastic-free alternatives. 

The results were impressive! 

Participants who reduced plastic exposure across food, kitchenware and personal care products saw phthalates decrease by more than 44 per cent and bisphenols by more than 50 per cent in just one week. Even groups that only changed food packaging or kitchenware still saw reductions in plastic chemicals.

Simple Changes Behind the Results 

One of the most refreshing parts of the study is that participants didn’t need to survive on lettuce leaves and wishful thinking. They still ate everyday foods including pasta, meats, salads, chocolate, butter, snacks and fruit. Researchers simply changed how the food was handled, packaged and prepared.The study also highlighted practical ways households can reduce exposure. Professor Michaela Lucas encouraged people to audit their kitchens, avoid ultra-processed and individually packaged foods, and reduce the use of tins, which are often lined with plastic.

The research makes one thing clear, reducing plastic exposure is less about overhaul and more about simple, repeatable swaps across daily routines. Check out some of our favourite plastic-free, low-waste and natural swaps below: 

Kitchen Swaps

• Stainless steel cooking utensils instead of plastic tools
• Natural wax wraps and other reusable alternatives like silicone food covers or fabric bowl covers instead of cling wrap
• Plastic-free food storage options, such as glass or steel containers
  
• Screw on tap filter that helps remove 90+ contaminants, including microplastics, heavy metals, and chlorine from your drinking water 

Bathroom and Personal Care Swaps

• Natural, plastic-free and refillable makeup 
  
• Natural and reusable period & intimate care products that replace single-use options with synthetic fibres 
  
• Plastic-free haircare and accessories
• Plastic-free toothpaste, toothpowder & toothpaste tablets

Home and Cleaning Swaps

• Refillable, toxin-free and water-activated cleaning products to reduce single-use bottles
• Plastic-free and toxin-free laundry products
  
• Cleaning cloths, sponges and brushes made from natural plant materials like bamboo and cellulose 

Travel Swaps

• Reusable and plastic-free drink bottles and cups
• Shopping and produce bags made from natural cotton fibres 
• Plastic-free straws, cutlery and bowls 

These are the kinds of everyday swaps across different touch points that add up over time. You can explore all of the products our customers love and reach for in their plastic-free routines by checking out our bestsellers and Go For Zero essentials!

A Hopeful Step Forward

Researchers say more studies are needed to understand what a “safe” level of plastic chemicals in the body might be and how reducing exposure impacts long-term health and fertility. Still, this research offers something many environmental conversations can sometimes lack: hope.

It shows that the choices we make in our kitchens, shopping trolleys and bathrooms can have a measurable impact in a matter of days. That’s a pretty powerful reminder that small changes really can add up. Ditching plastic isn’t just good for the planet. Your body might be giving it a standing ovation too.

For more feel good stories, you can pick from so many others here!

Until next time! With love, 
Ellie xo