Plastic Free July is almost over, but that doesn’t mean you should give up your zero-waste lifestyle as soon as the clock strikes midnight on August 1. With these handy tips, products and sources of inspiration, you’ll find it so much easier to live plastic-free and do your it all year ‘round!
What is Plastic Free July?
If you’re only just hopping on board now (no shame – it’s never too late!) you may not be well-versed on what Plastic Free July is all about. Let us explain…
Plastic Free July was started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz – the founder of the Plastic Free Foundation – and local government members in Western Australia in 2011. Since then, the movement has spread across the world and seen millions of local heroes getting in on the plastic-free action. In 2018 alone, 120 million people from 177 countries took up the challenge to go plastic free all July long.
How can you go plastic-free all year ‘round?
We know – kissing all things plastic goodbye is no mean feat. The big four single-use plastic items alone – plastic bags, water bottles, takeaway coffee cups and plastic straws – are hard enough to avoid. So, where to begin?
Turns out, there are plenty of things you can do to avoid – or even just reduce – single-use plastics. Why not try:
- Purchasing reusable versions of single-use plastics, like metal cutlery and straws, canvas bags, stainless steel water bottles and any of the reusable coffee cups on the market nowadays
- Avoiding pre-packaged products at the supermarket and shopping for whole foods instead
- Wrapping rubbish in old newspapers instead of plastic bin bags
- Saying ‘no’ to unnecessary single-use plastics when you order take-away, or bringing your own (your local café or bakery won’t mind at all!)
- Repurposing unavoidable plastic items for craft and DIY activities
- Reusing what you have, or buying second-hand
- Changing one habit at a time – every bit counts
If you don’t have anything that will get the job done, try these reusable alternatives to your go-to single-use items:
Plastic straws are out, Green + Kind straws are in (from $5.91)
www.floraandfauna.com.au
Plastic toothbrushes are out, BAMKIKI bamboo brushes are in (from $13.90 for two)
www.bamkiki.com.au
Plastic razors are out, Kappi safety razors are in (from $59.95)
www.kappi.com.au
Plastic coffee cups are out, Sol Cups are in (from $27.99)
www.solcups.com
Plastic bags are out, Seed + Sprout is in (set from $29)
www.seedsprout.com.au
Snap-seal bags are out, Stasher bags are in (bundle from $54)
www.stasherbag.com
On-the-go plastic water bottles are out, Water3 is in (from $29.95)
www.water3.com
Your home cleaning collection is out, koh is in (starter bundle from $89.90)
www.koh.com
Stay inspired
For inspiration during Plastic Free July (and beyond!) head to www.plasticfreejuly.org or check out these zero-waste bloggers and Instagrammers…
Sara Tso, aka @matchboxkitchen
Julia, aka @simply.living.well
Sarah Lemkus, @sarahlemkus
Her Simple Living, aka @stacysullivan_
Rachel + Scott Johnson, aka @plantedinthewoods
