This month is Plastic Free July which is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution! So to help, we thought we would write about 4 of our favourite plastic alternatives!
Plastic was once the most innovative and game changing products the world had ever seen. The first synthetic plastic was created in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, fast forward to today's world and plastic can be found LITERALLY everywhere.
We know all too well how damaging plastic is and has been on our environment but luckily more and more people are willing to make the swap from single use plastic to more eco friendly products.
Here are our favourite alternatives to single use plastic products that you can incorporate into your life to make a happier and healthier planet!
- Let's start with a replacement for the simple plastic bag (which by the way is only used for an average of 25 mins before being put in the bin) and our favorite alternative to this evil thing:
Hempnath is an environmentally conscious brand offering ethically sourced, artisan-made products from Hemp. Each time someone buys one of their products, they plant a tree through the Eden reforestation Project. Hempnath takes pride in the slow, ethical and traditional Nepalese craftsmen ship that was passed down from their ancestors.
Hempnath source their hemp from the rural, mid western, rural parts of Nepal- Bajhang, Bajura and Rolpa where more than 80% of the population still depend on agriculture.
The hemp used for the outer lining is 100% Pure Hemp! Hempnath says their products take on the iconic rugged look that products made of hemp look like, but we think it's beautiful! They use 100% natural cotton for their inner lining and the interior lining is made with recycled rice bags!
These bags are durable and have a lot of space to fit lots of different bits and pieces in them! Their story is a lovely one and the environment, people and ethical techniques are the centre of their mission!
The small Saathi Tote Bag retails for £22 and the large Saathi Tote bag retails for £25!
- Now we have tackled the plastic bag, let's move onto the next worst culprit (actually this one is on par with the plastic bag) the plastic bottle….
Chilly’s -
Chilly bottles have taken the world by storm! In my eyes they are the best alternative to a plastic bottle for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are made from high-grade stainless steel which means there is no plastic included and they are extremely durable. And secondly, they will keep your water ice cold for hours! When I say hours I mean hours and hours or hot whatever floats your boat but who doesn't LOVE ice cold water?
The idea behind these bottles is to provide people with the ability to always have cold water on-the-go, without having to buy single-use plastic water bottles. They are also so much cuter than plastic bottles because they come in hundreds of different colours and designs.
Chilly bottles don't just stop at trying to accelerate the change from single use plastic bottles to something more ethical, they have also partnered up with Refill, the award-winning campaign from City To Sea, to help people live with less plastic. If you buy a Refill X Chilly’s bottle they will donate £10 to Refill. Since their collaboration with Refill started, they have stopped over 100 million plastic bottles from entering the ocean!
- Ok, so that is two major single use plastic alternatives nailed… what next? I know what, cling film or plastic wrap or whatever you call it.
Beeswax Wrap is a British B Corp that makes an eco-friendly and reusable alternative to plastic wrap. These amazing wraps are used to cover food to keep it safe and fresh and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours! Beeswax Wrap co guarantee that their wraps will last up to a year so this means that you won’t have to worry about recycling.
They are made from a mixture of beeswax, pine resin and organic jojoba oil. What about if you’re vegan you ask? Not to worry, Beeswax Wrap co also makes vegan wraps which are made with a secret mix of plant-based and vegan friendly waxes!
Beeswax wraps are easy to clean and as they are sticky and malleable they can take shape around any bowl or food product!
We think this is an amazing alternative to plastic and they are so cute too! Plus if you're feeling crafty, they also sell at home Beeswax wrap making kits!
- While we are talking about kitchen products, let's move onto the next thing I think will make all the difference if you are trying to reduce levels of plastic in your life! Ziploc bags or rather not…
Stasher are a Bcorp on a mission. As they say “What started as an endlessly reusable, non-toxic silicone storage bag has exploded into a global mission that’s preventing over a billion single-use plastic bags from entering our oceans and landfills.”
These reusable bags are made from Platinum Silicone which does not deteriorate over time. We love how they are literally endlessly reusable and not only do they withstand the coldest freezers, you can also cook with them!
But wait… the list goes on, they are also dishwasher friendly and can go in the microwave! Stasher bags are completely free of BPA, BPS, lead, latex, and phthalates which means they are completely food safe and have passed every food safety test in the US and Europe!
Stasher also works closely with high-impact nonprofits like Surfrider and 5 Gyers. So far, Stasher has sold millions of bags preventing over 1 billion single-use plastic bags from entering our oceans and landfills. Which we think is pretty amazing!
If you would like to take part in Plastic Free July click this link and take the challenge!
So now we have gone through our fave alternatives to single use plastic products, here are a few things to make sure you never have to worry about buying single use plastic bags again!
Leave tote bags in every location you might need them so you don't have to buy single use plastic bags again! I keep a few in my car, by the front door and even some at work just in case! The beauty of these bags is that they fold into virtually nothing!
When it comes to reusable water bottles like the Chilly’s bottle, I would suggest always keeping them on you! After all, hydration is key! Plus they look so cute and I do truly believe they are pretty much part of an outfit, think of it as an extra accessory!
As for the kitchen products, well that's pretty self explanatory BUT don't feel like you can't take either of our suggested kitchen things on holiday with you, actually we would encourage that! Here is another idea, if you go out for dinner and need a doggy bag, don't be ashamed to take your reusable silicone bag out and get the waiters to pack your food in that!
We hope this helps, remember going green is COOOOOL
