Trying to live a more plastic free life can be a daunting challenge. Here are 10 easy swaps that can be made to help make a difference.
Becoming plastic-free is not something that you can do overnight. It needs to be taken one step at a time, one small change at a time. Set small goals and most of all, be realistic. Below are 10 easy swaps that can be made:
1) Bamboo Cotton Buds:
Although slightly more expensive than the normal plastic cotton buds, these are made with organic bamboo and are compostable. I have also found that they tend to be sturdier and better quality than normal cotton buds. If you wanted to go one better, you could also opt for a reusable cotton bud which replaces at least 1,000 cotton buds!
2) Reusable Produce Bags:
These are a very easy but effective swap for your weekly shop. Instead of buying the fruit and veg items packaged in plastic, you can take your reusable produce bags and purchase the loose alternatives. You could even go one better and support your local greengrocer!
If you are a home delivery shopper, add a note to your delivery to ask for no plastic bags. Some supermarkets do a 'wonky' box for as little as £3.50. https://my.morrisons.com/wonky-fruit-veg
3) Shampoo Bars
Most shampoo bars on the market are made out of natural ingredients that do your hair the world of good. They last longer than bottled shampoo and are 100% plastic-free. My personal favourites are Soul & Soap shampoo bars. Although slightly more expensive, they smell amazing and lather up like any normal shampoo.
4) Ditch the Plastic Washing Up Utensils
There are many alternatives available to avoid plastic in your washing up. EcoCoconut Scourers and Tough None Sponges are just a couple. You can also get lots of different forms of dish and bottle brushes and also, a solid washing-up liquid soap bar! A lot of the eco-friendly alternatives for washing up are actually more hygienic as most of them are made with naturally antibacterial materials. This also help to avoid the 'damp dishcloth' smell that we all hate!
5) Bars of Soap
They look prettier than the normal bottled soaps, are cheaper, last longer and tend to smell nicer than hand-wash. There is speculation that bars of soap are unhygienic, however it is the same concept with the hand-wash pump. Go for bars packaged in paper or cardboard.
6) Reusable Face Pads
Instead of using single-use cotton wool to remove make up and cleanse/tone, reusable pads are a popular swap. They save money in the long run and just need to be popped in the wash once used, instead of being thrown away. They are soft on the skin, so won't feel any different to using the normal cotton wool.
7) Coconut Oil and Face Cleansing Bars
Coconut oil has been proven to be good for your skin and hair. By buying coconut oil in a glass jar, there is no plastic waste, and you have a moisturiser and a hair mask in one.
Face cleansing bars are also a useful alternative to the usual cleanse and tone regime.
8) Plastic Free Recycled Toilet Paper
Most high street brands offer toilet paper which is wrapped in an unrecyclable plastic film. There are a number of options out there who offer recycled toilet paper wrapped in recyclable material like cardboard. Ones I have come across so far are Green Cane and Who Gives a Crap.
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9) Toothbrush Alternatives
Plastic toothbrushes do not biodegrade for hundreds if not thousands of years. There are so many toothbrush alternatives available online at affordable prices, such as bamboo toothbrushes and recyclable toothbrush heads for electric toothbrushes.
10) Plastic Free Deodorant
Alternatives to the usual would be natural deodorants that come in a tin, jar or in bar form. I have heard good things about all types, it will maybe be a case of trial and error to find the best alternative that works for you. My recommendation would be the Natural Deo Co Gentle Range that comes in a jar.
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