10 Plastic Free Goals to Start a Zero Waste Lifestyle Today.

Well that’s the end of Plastic Free July. You may have got involve, thinking of all the ways to cut plastics products out of your life and majorly cut down on waste or you may have looked at some plastic free products thought it all very expensive, become overwhelmed and decided to just carry on recycling carefully.

Whichever of the above was you it’s all okay. Even if you got involved you need to make sure the changes you made, or thought about making are sustainable in the long term. Plastic ain’t just for Christmas and all that… and plastic free isn’t just for July.

That’s why I’ve put together the easiest plastic free swaps you can make to reduce the waste in your household and keep these easy plastic free lifestyle swaps forever more.

10 plastic free goals to set today.

Plastic free day at the beach with kids.

1. Ditch all the plastic bottles.

It’s as simple as buying a reusable water bottle and making it your best friend. 1 million plastic bottles are used every MINUTE around the world (try and get your head around that figure), turns out a lot of the water we drink from those plastic bottles are regular old TAP water…. that’s right your paying for something that’s free in your home. If your lucky enough to have clean tap water running in your home (as not everyone in the world has this privilege) use it.

2. Get started on a plastic free period.

Menstual cup cloth sanitary pads. Plastic free periods.

Having a plastic free period quiet literally changed my life (yes I’m a tad dramatic, no I do not take this statement back.) From discovering just how disgusting tampons are and how they can actually effect the PH balance of your more delicate of regions to sanitary pads containing up to 4 carrier bags worth of plastic. Unbelievable right?

While using reusable plastic free period products is not for everyone and not available to everyone it is worth noting that single use period products are not available to all either. If you have the privilege to give these products a try I really recommend it, there’s so many benefits to a Zero Waste Period outlined in my original post on the subject.

3. set your fruit and veg plastic free.

Sometimes I walk through the supermarket and imagine all the fruit and veg with little faces and raised eyebrows saying “hey, can’t you see I already have my own beautiful packaging, nature kinda knew what it was doing here, so get this plastic crap off me!!!” A bit like the food talking in that movie Sausage Party that I recommended watching to no-one, ever. I digress.

Seriously, how are those kind of condom looking things really protecting cucumbers? And bananas seem to have things covered to let’s leave it at that!!

4. plastic free and sustainable toilet paper.

We use Green Cane toilet paper and can’t recommend them enough. My Mum uses Who Gives a Crap and their pretty rad too.

Seems expensive to spend that much on loo roll but actually they are a longer roll, and it’s stronger so seems to last us longer than, therefore I don’t think the price is much different.

5. Brush your teeth without plastic.

Loving our current favorites the Truth Brush, does what it says on the tin, no plastic involved.

6. Go back to the 50’s and get a milkman.

This was one of our first plastic free swaps and probably one of my favorites. We get our milk delivered from Milk and More, plus they do a ton of other groceries. There’s nothing better than opening the door on a Monday morning to fresh Milk, apple and orange juice. All comes in glass bottles which are collected on the next delivery.

7. Pack your coffee cup and never forget it.

Plastic free tips. Reusable coffee cup on the beach.

I think pretty much everyone has a reusable coffee cup these days, its a simple matter of remembering it. The benefits are they keep your coffee hotter for longer, many coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own cup, and they look fancy. Hey, if you forget yours why not just sit and drink your coffee from a nice china cup.

8. Ditch the disposable razors.

Getting a safety razor is one of the easiest swaps you can make and make really nice gifts, especially for Dads. The razor may cost a little more, but the blades work out as pennies saving you a ton or two in the future. I got 100 blades in a pack. Considering I use about 4 blades a year I think I’m covered for a while. Or maybe I just need to shave more…….

9. go au natural with your DEODORANT.

When I say au natural I don’t mean nothing at all but a plastic free natural deodorant. We love the Lush solid bar deodorant in our house. It did take a couple of weeks to get used to wearing it, the same with Mat, though I think it was mainly psychological, I kept asking if I smelt but we soon both preferred the natural product. Actually through lock-down when we were unable to get our usual lush bar we had to buy a regular well known brand and both commented on how we didn’t like the sticky roll on, happy to be back with our solid bar now.

A good tip is to put the deodorant bars on while you skin is still damp from the shower as they apply nicely when slightly wet. Or warm up on your hand first.

10. Wash your hands the simple way.

Plastic free tips. Soap bar at your sink.

Washing with a bar of soap has got to be the easiest way to cut down on plastic. I really love the Faith in Nature bars because they are nice and silky, more like the feel on liquid soap.

Good luck with all your plastic free swaps from July until forever…

Hannah xx