Plastic-Free July: Reducing Single-Use and Finding Great Reusable Eco Alternatives

BYO reusable produce bags instead of pre-packed fruits and vegetables and refuse the plastic bags supplied at supermarkets.

We love the collection of beautiful reusable produce bags at our friends at Go For Zero.

Pre-packaged meat, fish and deli products are often packed on polystyrene trays which are hard to recycle. Choose a local butcher, fishmonger or deli counter that sells unpackaged goods and BYO reusable container!

Bakery items often come pre-packed in plastic too. Instead, most bakeries and even supermarkets offer bread and baked goods not yet packaged. So, BYO reusable bread bags or containers instead.

Be sure to keep reusable bags somewhere handy, like in your car, at the front door, or where you keep your keys; try also a foldable one that easily fits inside your handbag or man bag!

See our fave foldable eco bags that fit conveniently in handbags here!

Disposable coffee cups are convenient but become one of the billions that end up in landfill. The solution is to be prepared - keep a reusable cup in your car or at your desk!

Many cafes also offer discounts when you BYO reusable coffee cup, so you save $ and the planet at the same time!

Disposable water bottles are still sold everywhere out of convenience for when we forget our trusty reusable bottles. So, in addition to keeping one in a handy location like your bag or desk, if you do forget it, why not find water at a water fountain, get water from a cafe, or your office kitchen?

It's easier than you think to clean without plastic cleaning products. Bulk food stores have refillable cleaning products, and even supermarkets offer refillable options.

You can also try homemade formulas such as equal parts of white vinegar and water for cleaning floors or bathrooms; water and bicarbonate soda for scrubbing. Plus, it's chemical-free - better for your family and the planet!

Single-use plastic bathroom products can be avoided too, and are actually easy to replace, as more eco-friendly options without plastic packaging are available, from soaps, shampoo, conditioner to shaving cream.

Other reusable options include sanitary items, nappies, razor blades that last longer and plastic-free. Check out plastic-free bathroom options at Go For Zero!

Swaps such as choosing refillable washing liquid or buying washing powder in bulk helps reduce disposable plastic waste in your home.

You can also use durable metal clothing pegs instead of flimsy plastic pegs for stylish, longer-lasting line-dried washing!

See more tips for eco laundry solutions here.

Vast amounts of plastic waste are made in the office as well, from sticky tape to single-use pens - even the lining on many notebooks is often plastic! Many eco-friendly plastic-free or reusable options are available, from refillable pens, to our reusable notebooks to help the space when you spend a third of your days become more sustainable!

Schools generate so much waste, so as the place where our future generations form the foundation of their values, it presents as a great opportunity to educate them on the importance of environmentally friendly, plastic-free, reusable solutions to all their daily habits. This can include encouraging snacks and lunches in reusable containers instead of disposable plastic packaging, to putting together sustainability committees to enhance awareness - every bit counts!

Sustainable fashion doesn't only mean thrifting, but also choosing clothes that are made to last, with natural fibres such as wool, cotton, hemp, silk and linen to reduce microplastics from entering our waterways and the environment. Fast fashion can be tempting with its low costs, but are often poorly made with mixed fibres that don't last so you end up buying more. Natural fibres are not only better for the environment, but feels better too!