In CA and we pay north of $40k in daycare alone for each kid.

That’s basically the best possible outcome.

Toddlers are the reason why, despite being able to afford nice furniture for the first time in our life, we’re sticking with ratty couches and old Ikea coffee tables.

Indeed, the 1st and 3rd worst offenders for plastic per capita are administrative regions of China (Macau and Hong Kong) https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/plastic-pollution-by-country

There’s a bulk food store near me and it allows BYO containers (or you can use one of their compostable bags). It’s great! A little bit more work (you need to tare your/container write down the empty weight), but you get your goods in the container of your choice.