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This guide will detail how to go plastic-free, reducing our single-use plastic purchases by switching to more environmentally friendly products.
Zero Waste Products
Kitchen, Food, and Drink on the Go
There are a few easy switches you can make in the kitchen, starting with food/drink storage.
Eco water bottles such as the popular and very attractive Chilly’s (UK only) or chunkier but practical Tree Tribe US / UK or Iron Flask keep cold water cool and hot liquids hot.
Coffee drinkers can put down the disposable cup!
The majority of paper cups are not recyclable (unless they use Vegware or similar) but there are alternatives on the market, again it’s about being prepared.
KeepCup US / UK are currently on-trend but the lid is made of plastic while the cup is glass.
Bamboo cutlery sets US / UK, which come with a cleaning brush, are great for packed lunches.
Collapsible Tupperware boxes US / UK are fab for saving space and reducing tinfoil use.
Bathroom/Toiletries Eco-Products
Toothbrushes with a biodegradable bamboo-based handle and charcoal brushes are easy to find online US / UK.
Lush’s solid shampoo and conditioner are great for travelling as they mean no spills.
For those who use make-up remover, consider this plastic-free option – replace cotton wool/pads (which come in plastic) with material ones.
You can buy them on Etsy or make your own. Also good for removing nail varnish.
Why is plastic bad for the environment?
It’s estimated that over 300 billion pieces of plastic are ruining the Arctic Ocean, some of which will last forever.
I know we are all doing our bit by putting plastic in the correctly coloured bin, but still, thousands of marine life die every day because they think our junk is their meal.
We’ve all seen the video of the whale that died from eating 80 plastic bags, eh? Watch below if not.
Plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it just gets smaller and smaller. Companies that work with plastic often use plastic pellets called nurdles.
These nurdles end up in our oceans at the ports or during shipment. Nurdles are often the biggest offenders during beach cleans.
I am not sure if this site is even live anymore – but I wanted to say thank you for this blog. I am from the US and unfortunately there are not very many regulations to force systemic change. So I try to do what I can – but often get overwhelmed. I liked you disclaimer about ‘progress, not perfection’. I know for me I have to start small and develop that habit in order to maintain any changes I wish to make. Thank you again.
Hi Dawn! Thank you for taking the time to leave a message. The site is still very much alive and I’m still trying to progress with zero waste. It’s been a lot harder during the pandemic! Good luck on your journey. ~ Gemma
please !!!!!!! use-by dates are nothing more than numbers printed on a packet — HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY HAVE A ‘USE_BY’ DATE ????? you’ve fallen for the ‘see how important we are’ syndrome …DON’T THROW THINGS OUT!!!!!! if they develop an odour – think of doing it , but – please – check all those sites with the billions of tons of real products thrown out because of the most unreal fears !! check the ‘garbage islands’ floating in all the oceans.
Hi, Garry! Which part of the guide are you referring to? Lush? Their products do go off because they are made from fresh. I’ve definitely kept a face mask or two longer than I should have. The good news with Lush is you can return their tubs as the post mentions.
The whole point in this guide is to check those garbage islands so I’m not sure what your point is.
Gemma, just a note re. hygiene products – I use the moon cup which I’m guessing is a bit different than the diva cup – but it’s meant to be good for up to 15 years! I’ve been using the same one for 3 so far and it hasn’t shown any signs of wearing down. I reckon I spent about £60 a year on tampons (I guess they cost more in London!) and when I bought it the moon cup was £15 – so the savings for me have been huge!
That is huge! I just did a general research question on how long you should keep your menstrual cups and I reckon they go on the side of caution and advertise one year. Think I can tweak that. Cheers!
This is an exceptional post, absolutely jammed with fantastic advice. I will follow your progress, and will tweet news, advice, alternatives and wins as much as possible. Pinned, shared to my private FB page and will schedule to my #FeetDoTravel page. Thank you.
Thanks for that 🙂 Good luck in your quest.
Very informative post and helpful as well. If everyone makes even small changes in their lifestyle then it will make a huge contribution towards saving our environment. I would love to share it with my friends and relatives so that even they can become aware of it and change their habits that are causing harm to the environment.
Thanks Ajay. It’s tough but I’m happy that it is raising awareness!
So thorough and informative! I have been trying to cut down on plastic hugely too! Next thing to orer is the bamboo toothbrush! Thanks for sharing!
That’s definitely been the easiest move. Good luck!
A very good attitude. I’am already use preferred glas bottles instead of plastic ones and don’t use straws anymore. According to the toothpaste – I didn’t know that toothpaste with the so-called whitening effect contains plastic beads which are getting into the waters and finally landing in the stomaches of the fishes (microplastic sends its greetings). Since then I don’t use those kinds of toothpaste anymore.
I wonder if they are like the micro beads that have been banned in the UK? Thanks for commenting!
Fabulous! Shall be in touch.
Love this G. We’re doing Global Goals Month this September in School in line with Learning for Sustainability and the Global Goals that the UN set out for the planet to attain by 2030. One of our goals is to try and get sponsorship for our young people to have stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic bottles and single use plastic, along with more access to water fountains. I’m planning on asking you to pop in and chat to them on this topic as well. Are you up for the challenge?
Always Mrs M, would be a privilege. So great to see you getting the pupils involved in direct action AND changing lifestyle habits. They are lucky to have you.
Yay, amazing progress already! I just came home from Vienna with a bag full of zero-waste souvenirs – toothpaste powder, creme deodorant in a tin, produce bags in different sizes, a wooden dishwashing brush with spare heads and a biodegradable kitchen cloth. I want to get some soap nuts too! Let’s do this!
I saw your IG and eyed up the brush! I need to get deodorant still, was hoping to find some in a shop in person but looks unlikely before July now. Here we go!
Awesome Gemma. We have water filters to cut down on bottled water consumption. I also refuse plastic begs whenever I get stuff at convenience stores; even if I need to carry 5 or 8 things, I just balance it versus adding to the plastic trash heap we need to reduce. Animals eat plastic and sometimes die but eventually we will start dropping dead when the world becomes infested with trash, unless we smarten up and go largely plastic free.
Hahah! I’m the same, juggling is becoming a skill. There’s a lot of coverage of single use plastic and its impact on marine life on the news in the UK just now so I’m very hopeful all of our voices screaming about it get heard and small changes are made!