Plastic Free July

Happy July, Glitter Warriors! 

Plastic Free July is all about reducing single-use plastic waste in your everyday life. By making a small change, you will collectively make a massive difference to our communities so we can have cleaner streets and oceans. You can choose to participate by refusing single-use plastics in July (and beyond!). Best of all, being part of the movement will help you to find great alternatives that can become new habits forever.

If you would like to participate but would like a little accountability to help you stay on track, you can take a pledge to participate in a variety of ways. You can pledge to participate in the challenge for just one day, one week, for all of July, or for July and beyond. 

Disclaimer: just to be clear, you do not have to do ALL of these things to contribute, just by picking a few changes will make a massive difference to our planet. Plastic Free July doesn't have to be an intimidating phrase, and if the month helps open your eyes just a bit more to the plastic pollution epidemic, you'll be able to consider it a success. 

Plastic-Free Kitchen

• Say no to clingfilm - beeswax wraps are a wonderful natural alternative to using clingfilm.
• The last straw - According to the Financial Times, before the plastic straw ban in 2018, the UK threw away 8.5 billion straws every year– enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall a thousand times over. Instead, opt for reusable straws made from eco-friendly materials, such as metal and bamboo.
• Catch those fibres - Washing clothes made from synthetic fabrics such as polyester releases hundreds of thousands of toxic microplastics into our waterways. You can catch these fibres in a Guppyfriend to make sure they don’t leak beyond your washing machine and cause harm throughout the food chain.
• Sponges & scourers – those yellow sponges are major offenders! Look into getting some biodegradable, cotton cloths which can be washed and reused.
• Plastic Free Tea - us Brits drink around 60 billion cups of tea each year! Unfortunately, most tea bags contain plastic glue, or the bag itself may even be made of plastic. Make sure you opt for a plastic-free alternative such as loose leaf tea for a cheaper, fresher and better-tasting brew!

Plastic Free Bathroom

• Brush with bamboo - it’s estimated that, in the US alone, over a billion toothbrushes  (representing over 22 million kgs of waste) are discarded each year. Consider switching to a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush to avoid unnecessary waste.
• Biodegradable buds - plastic cotton buds are one of the top 10 items found on beaches by volunteers for the Marine Conservation Society. It’s common for people to wrongly flush them down the toilet and they end up passing through the sewage system and into the sea. Choose a more eco bud made from bamboo or paper where you can dispose of the cotton buds in your organic waste or compost after usage.
• Reusable cotton pads - instead of buying disposable cotton pads, why not make your own to reuse over and over again? We love this crochet cotton pad from Moral Fibres.
• Plastic-free periods - sanitary products are also usually made from plastic. A great place to start here is to invest in a Mooncup, Bloom and Nora reusable pads or Modibodi period pants to ditch disposable waste altogether.
• Plastic-free paper - finding recycled toilet paper that doesn’t come in plastic packaging can be tricky. Why not switch to a sustainable loo roll supplier like Who Gives A Crap – the rolls are wrapped in paper, not plastic, and they’re made from planet-friendly bamboo and recycled materials.

Plastic Free On The Go

• Ditch disposable cutlery - with many of us going on picnics and engaging in more outside gatherings due to the current situation — don’t forget to pack your cutlery.
• Use reusable shopping bags - instead of turning yourself into a human cornucopia, keep a couple of tote bags folded away in your coat pocket or bag at all times.
• Give up bottled water - create a habit of carrying your water bottle with you to stay hydrated.
• Download the Refill app - Refill is the UK’s leading ‘app for tap’ – connecting people looking for water with shops, businesses, fountains and transport hubs where they can refill their water for free on-the-go.

Good luck and remember: it’s not about being perfect. If this challenge helps to open your eyes just a bit more towards plastic pollution, consider it a success.