In 2019 alone,
825 million kg of plastic waste was avoided due to Plastic Free July 

This meant that participants reduced their waste and recycling by at least 23kg each. In this blog we'll talk about what Plastic Free July is about, how to start your plastic free journey and some of our favourite products that made a huge impact when reducing your waste.

What is Plastic Free July about?

With the start of a brand-new month, this brings back the annual global challenge of #PlasticFreeJuly, a movement started to encourage individuals to use less plastic in their daily lives.Though we believe the journey to a plastic free lifestyle can start at any time, this yearly challenge allows for you to set goals to work towards with the support and encouragement of a million others behind you.

How do I start going plastic free?

With plastic being found in many everyday products, from water bottles to toothbrushes, it can seem daunting knowing where to start switching to sustainable alternatives. But we always encourage you to take it one step at a time, any changes (big or small) make a huge difference our annual plastic use and can also save you money in the long run. Good for the planet and your wallet!

Whenever someone asks us where to start, we say start with the product you use the most!Here are some products you could start with:

1. Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Globally, we are buying an estimate 1 million plastic bottles per minute, including shampoo and conditioner bottles. If you buy shampoo and conditioner every 2 months, this could add up to at least 12 bottles per year. Eeek!

How do you ditch plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles?

Our answer: Shampoo bars! Not only is the switch to zero waste hair care products less costly for the planet, but also for your wallet. Our 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner bars last 3 times as long as a liquid bottle, saving you time and unnecessary bathroom and travel bag clutter. That’s a saving of 6 bottles per bar! Such a small change with massive waste reduction benefits.

Did we mention they are 100% free from any nasty chemicals! Good for your health, your wallet and the planet.

So, the next time you run out of your usual shampoo or conditioner, maybe try some of these plastic free, toxin free and cruelty free, alternatives!

2. Reusable Tote Bags

In Australia, due to the supermarket plastic bag ban in 2018, we have avoided 1.5 billion plastic bags being thrown away to litter the environment.Can we get a woot woot?! 🙌

However, not all stores have phased out single use plastic bags, so we think it’s more efficient to bring your own reusable tote. Keep one in your car or handbag so you’re never inconvenienced whilst shopping. Surely I’m not the only one who has forgotten their bag and had produce rolling around in the carpark due to an inability to carry 10 items at once?! Never again ha ha.

Check out our range of Organic Cotton Totes,  this one here has pockets

3. Reusable Food Wrap

The average household uses 24 rolls of cling wrap a year!!

We wrote a blog postback in May about the negative effects plastic cling wrap can have on not only the environment but also the food it covers,and suggested 5 alternatives that are plastic-free, toxin-free and reusable as well.

There are so many reusable and durable alternatives to cover your food besides using cling wrap that save you money. From silicone food pouches and covers to beeswax wraps, and reusable baking sheets. I’d have to say ditching cling wrap is by far my favourite zero waste move, almost every house sees cling wrap as an ‘essential’, so it feels damnn good to be able to live without it!

4. Reusable Travel Cups and Drink Bottles

It’s estimated that Australians used 1 billion disposable coffee cups per year! 

This is one of the easiest places to start reducing our daily plastic waste. It might seem like a hassle, remembering to bring it each day and then wash it after using it. However, once you practice something for long enough, it turns into a habit. Think of all the daily habits you already do, like bringing your wallet and key when you leave the house, adding your reusable cup to the list of things you do is minimal once it becomes habitual.

This goes with water bottles too, just think of the plastic AND money saved not have to continually purchase bottled water every day. Plus, it’s so nice having access to water whenever I want it that I often freak out if I forget it (ha ha…not weird).

I also love that ours are double insulated, who doesn’t love ice cold water hours after you’ve filled your bottle up?

5. Bamboo Toothbrushes

In Australia, we go through an estimate of 30 million toothbrushes a year! 

Switching to a bamboo made alternative means your toothbrush is compostable and recyclable. We re-use ours to clean tile grout, hard to reach places, jewellery, as veggie garden tags and more!

Where to next?

These are just a few plastic free alternatives to everyday products that are good for you, your wallet and the earth. By starting somewhere you will become more aware of your waste, head to our blog 'where to start when reducing your waste' for ideas on how to continue your journey, including DIY's and recycling!

Let’s not add to the pollution, be the solution this #PlasticFreeJuly and make the switch to sustainable alternatives today!