31 DAYS OF PLASTIC-FREE INSPO!
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"Think about it...why would you make something that you are going to use for a few minutes out of a material that's basically going to last forever. What's up with that?" - Jeb Berrier, BagIt movie
It’s July already! This means as well as freeeezing our butts off, we are trying to eliminate and reduce all single-use plastics. It's hard ok! We take a little step back and scrutinise what we are buying, what it's packaged in, and step away slowly if it's in plastic. EVERYTHING is in plastic! Takeaway coffee cups. Plastic Water bottles. Takeaway containers. When you put plastic in the bin there is no "away", it's on our planet and will never fully break down. Here’s the problem: Plastic will last FOREVER. It will never fully break down or degrade. It will keep piling up in our landfills, floating around in our oceans entangling, getting eaten by and killing sea life and birds.
We've come up with some easy tips to keep you going for the rest of the month and seriously, every little bit helps! Some of these tips require an investment first up, but here’s the thing, you’ll be able to reuse it again and again, saving the planet and a couple of bucks too.
1st - Treat yourself to an double scoop ice-cream cone rather than the plastic lined containers.
2nd - Drink what's on tap at the pub – another round of pints please!
3rd - Go to bulk bin refills for herbs and spices, whole foods, oats, nuts and dried fruits etc, we love the options at Wild Earth Organics
4th - Switch gladwrap to beeswax wraps – they’ll keep your sandwiches just as fresh we promise! We love ours from Kiwi Wraps.
5th - Head to your local butchers or farmers market for fresh meat rather than the supermarket meat wrapped unnecessarily in plastic.
6th - While you're at the farmers market grab fresh fruit and veg – go the extra mile and use cotton bags for fruit and veg, we love ours from Eco Saint.
7th - Choose plastic-free takeaway options or take your own reusable glass or stainless containers.
8th - Invest in a stainless steel drink bottles rather than buying plastic water bottles – it's a no-brainer plus no need to worry about the BPA leaching.
9th - Create your own toothpaste - mix baking soda, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil – I’ve since been to the dentist and my teeth passed all the tests, promise!!
10th - Upgrade to real butter (wrapped in paper) instead of margarine in a plastic container – tastes better too (or making my own at home is something I’ve wanted to try!)
11th - Create your own drinks with a soda stream maker instead of buying fizzy drinks – explore with delicious cordials like Elderflower, or if you like the soda water it's ready to roll.
12th - Create your own yoghurt with an Easiyo Maker instead of buying yoghurt in plastic container.
13th - Try baking bread at home or choose fresh bread that comes in paperbag – fresh bread wafting through the house, yes please!
14th - Choose tea bags that aren’t individually wrapped and are compostable.
15th - Invest in a reusable keep cup when ordering takeaway coffees – some cafes give a discount, score!
16th - Ladies, Invest in a reusable silicone cup rather than single use sanitary items– it's waaay better for YOU and our planet. We love and use Lunette.com.au
17th - Say no to receipts – easy peasy.
18th - Choose glass or cardboard cartons of milk rather than plastic.
19th - Use coconut oil in a glass jar to replace night creams, hair moisturising products – add a few drops of your favourite essential oil like Frankincence or Rose Geranium.
20th - Use material napkins and cloths instead of paper towels.
21st - Upgrade to a pair of bamboo glasses instead of plastic – be the coolest kid on the block, check out the stylish range at ECOO
22nd - Switch plastic straws to stainless steel/bamboo/glass straws – your smoothie will taste better, trust me.
23rd - Say no to the plastic bag and take a reusable bag – way easier to get your groceries home safely!
24th - Keep old glass jars and use for storage/making candles/drinking cups – we keep our old marmalade jars for vintage looking drinking jars.
25th - Use a soap bar instead of body wash/shampoo/conditioner– this sustainable company is leading the way in soap shampoos and conditioners Ethique that really work! #giveupthebottle
26th - Invest in a wooden dishbrush instead of a plastic one - check out our sustainable beechwood wooden products Redecker.
27th - Choose refillable cleaning products - we offer refills on most of our products!
28th - Invest in glass storage containers for food instead of plastic ones (better in microwave too).
29th - Invest in wooden/stainless steel cooking utensils instead of plastic - try Meals in Steel.
30th - Switch your plastic toothbrush to bamboo toothbrush.
31st - Wash clothes using soap nuts or choose our Natural Laundry Power in a compostable bag (coming very soon!).
We hope we've armed you with some plastic-free ammo that you'll be able to incorporate into your every day life. If we stop buying it, they'll stop making it. Have fun on your plastic-free journey and get a bit creative out there!! We hope you end up becoming as addicted to low-waste as we have.