This week marks the start of Plastic-Free July - whoop whoop! This is one of our favourite months of the year because Plastic-Free July sparks conversation and creates change across the globe.
We don't need to tell you that single-use plastic is a major problem for the future of the planet. Here's the thing though: the plastic problem is ultimately not one we can recycle our way out of - we need to reduce our consumption of it too. We need change!
So now the bad news is out of the way...we've put together a nifty set of tips to help reduce your single-use packaging materials. It might seem daunting, but remember - every little helps!
AND...WE WANT YOUR TIPS!
We'd love to make this a super-comprehensive list to help guide our journey to a minimal plastic lifestyle - slide your suggestions into the comments at the bottom of this page and we'll add them to the list!
BULK IT UP
Find your local bulk store and stock up on pantry staples such as pasta, rice, nut butter, nuts, spices etc. Make sure you bring your own containers! A simple (insert your favourite search engine here) search will help you find your nearest store. PLUS, they don't stop at just food: most bulk stores have refill stations for things like detergent and fabric softener too. Winning.
REUSABLES
Carry reusables. Focus on the essentials: reusable water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery, straw and canvas bag. You can get great little travel sets that roll up and are handbag/backpack-friendly!
FOOD CONTAINERS
Use cloth wraps for sandwiches or for covering bowls in the fridge. Hark after your childhood with a lunchbox or reusable container for packed lunches or leftovers.
Stainless steel lunchboxes are a great option! Perfect for packed lunches, freezing leftovers, going to the deli, buying fresh produce and getting takeaway - no leaching or nasty plastic taste! Thanks for the tip @nousinthewild
For the oven, buy a silicone baking mat (such as Silpat).
LOOSE LEAF TEA
Take it back to the old school and use a tea pot and loose leaf tea - you get way more bag for your buck if you use loose leaf tea! If teapots are not your thing or you are making tea for one you can use a tea strainer. If you do like bags, make sure you use plastic-free and chemical-free teabags.
COFFEE
Thank you to Rhianna for this one! If you like to make your morning cup using a V60 Coffee Dripper try switching your disposable filters for a metal alternative. And seeing as you have all those left over grounds you could always try your hand at making a homemade Coffee Scrub (did we mention we love Coffee Scrubs?)
MILK
Try and make your own for the month! Ambitious for sure, but definitely worth a try. Jamie Oliver has a good recipe for almond milk here. If you buy, get it in plastic free glass bottles such as from M*lkman - his cashew mylk makes a genuinely unreal iced coffee.
DELI
If you shop at a deli counter or bakery take your own container for them to put the products in.
FRESH FOOD
In supermarkets or farmers markets opt out of the plastic bag or paper bag for produce. Put it loose in your basket and then in your (canvas or hemp) bag. Try growing or foraging your fruit and veg – it is summer rn after all!
UNPACKAGED TOILETRIES
Go back to basics with things such as bar soap instead of shower gels and shampoo bars. They last longer, have more natural ingredients and there is less (or even no) packaging.
FACE OR BABY WIPES
For face wipes or removing makeup buy reusable wipes either cotton, bamboo, hemp or just a regular flannel. For babies use the Cheeky wipe system or an alternative reusable wipe set up.
NAPPIES
Ideally go for reusable fabric nappies. However, understandably this isn’t practical for everyone so look for fully biodegradable brands such as Mum & You or Beaming Baby – better for baby and for the planet. Result!
HAIR REMOVAL
Our Chrome Safety Razor is non-disposable, plastic free and will give you the closest shave possible! Plus we offer a blade return scheme: for every 5 blades returned to us you will get £1 off your refill razor blades! Cut down on water use by rinsing in a cup rather than under a running tap or shower.
SANITARY STUFF
Use reusable sanitary products such as a Mooncup. IF you use tampons go reusable plastic-free applicator like Dame. Period Underwear is a great alternative to Mooncups, check out Modibodi, thanks to Rhianna for this tip!
TOILET ROLL
Use bamboo or recycled toilet paper. Alternatively set up a subscription with Who Gives A Crap who are fully plastic-free.
TOILETRIES AMNESTY
Thanks to @toiletriesamnesty for this one! If you have any unwanted products that are cluttering up your home Toiletries Amnesty will take them. They work across the UK and abroad to help end hygiene poverty.
DISHCLOTHS
Thanks for Katherine for this tip: Jangneus make dishcloths from natural and renewable materials. They're 100% biodegradable so afterwards can be put straight onto the compost heap. Even better, they come in loads of gorgeous patterns and are shipped plastic-free too!
CLEANING
Try making your own products with ingredients such as white vinegar, essential oils and bicarbonate of soda. There are tons of easy recipes online like this fab one.
Thanks to Rhian for this tip: Cut up old t-shirts or tea-towels into small squares to use as cleaning cloths. Bicarb of Soda with vinegar and 1/2 lemon is a great household cleaner. Vinegar & scrunched up newspaper really does get windows streak-free!
WATER
Carry a water bottle and fill it up before you leave home and when you are out and about. At home use a water filtration system or drink tap water. If fizzy is your thing consider investing in a SodaStream to avoid the plastic (or glass) bottles you will accumulate over years of purchasing and drinking fizzy.
WORKIN’
Make a packed lunch when you can! It's hard work and requires planning, but it's generally more cost-effective, less wasteful, and tastier!
E-WASTE
Thanks to Tessa for this brilliant tip - delete old emails and unsubscribe from bulk emails, e-waste is still waste! Emails require electricity to be sent - spam emails use as much electricity as 2.7 million homes!
ELECTRICITY
Switch to a fully-renewable energy provider, like Bulb. Thanks to Tessa for the tip! Use this code and you'll get £50 off your first bill!
WE HOPE SOME OF THOSE WERE HELPFUL!
We'd love to make this a super-comprehensive list to help guide our journey to a minimal plastic lifestyle - so please slide your suggestions into the comments below and we'll add them to the list!