Nourish - Plastic-Free July
We’re now officially in Plastic-Free July, which means it’s time to join the millions of people joining the plastic-free challenge this month. Plastic-Free July was developed to provide resources and ideas about plastic waste. You can read about it all here >>
The key to avoiding plastic on a daily basis is definitely preparation. Being organised and bringing a reusable water bottle, a keep cup for coffee lovers or beeswrap for bringing lunch to work are all brilliant and easy ways to cut back on plastic, but just a bit of prep before goes a long way.
Easy Swaps
If you’re only starting out on the plastic-free journey and want to ease yourself in, here are a few options for you:
- Water bottles
This saves on so much plastic, saves you money long-term and also is much easier and convenient. You’ll never need to worry about if you can find a shop or if you have money with you, also you won’t need to worry about your water getting warm as lots of reusable water bottles can keep your water cool too.
Cheeki are a great Australian brand and they’ve plenty of colours, sizes and options.
- Glass jars
We stock many products that come in glass jars. These are brilliant to reuse after. Some of my favourites include Harry’s Nut Butter, Biona soups and Nobó spreads. I’ve used them to store hair accessories, pens, or when you get large packs of seeds/ nuts but just want easy access to these every day. This means, not only are you avoiding plastic in the first instance by buying glass, but also keeping this and reusing means it’s saving the environment and your wallet too.
Skincare
- Skoon Cosmetics
Skoon are a Dutch company who believe in the importance of the environment, from ingredient to product in store. They look at all the steps in the process to make our world a little better, using cardboard packaging, made from an agricultural waste with a much lower CO2 print than normal cardboard. They also use glass and cans, which can be recycled easily and almost infinitely. Their range includes bars of shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, and soap.
Plastic-free, certified natural and vegan cosmetics.
- UpCircle Skincare
UpCircle skincare has just launched in our Wicklow Street, Cornelscourt, Donaghmede and online stores. A Certified B-Corp, cruelty-free and vegan skincare brand, UpCircle use up-cycled ingredients in natural formulations. Made in the UK, they up-cycle coffee grounds, date seeds, brewed chai spices and fruit stones to create their range of plant-based products, as well as not using plastic in their products or packaging.
- Poko Skincare
At Poko, they believe that sustainability and luxury can coexist. They have spent a lot of time carefully choosing packaging materials to ensure they are both eco-friendly and visually appealing. They actively work towards using sustainable and recyclable materials such as glass, cardboard, and sugarcane tubes to contribute to a greener environment. While most of the packaging is already recyclable, they have a goal to become a fully sustainable company by 2025. From going paperless to using renewable energy sources in their offices, they are taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
At work or On-The-Go
- Beeswrap
Beeswrap acts similar to cling film/ tin foil but is reusable. The vegan version substitutes candelilla wax for beeswax. They can be used for lunches at work, storing food or wrapping leftovers. It can be washed with warm water and whatever washing up liquid you use, so it doesn’t need to be complicated. They’re also compostable so you’re avoiding the single-use plastic altogether.
- Sandwich bags
If You Care make Greaseproof unbleached sandwich bags. These can be for bringing any food out and about with you, without making a mess and keeping them fresh. They are reusable as well once wiped. Their bags are uncoated, not used with petroleum-based paraffin wax, soy or any other type of wax.
- Metal straws
Metal straws have been around for a while now so if you haven’t gotten one, here’s some reasons:
- Eco-Friendly. The most important reason is that they’re so much better for the environment. They take much less energy to produce these, or even the longevity of their lives offsets the initial energy used to create them. You’re also creating less waste, so doing your bit for the environment.
- Non toxic. They also don’t harbour bacteria like a lot of other materials would.
- Completely recyclable. There’s no secret that plastic straws take tens of years to decompose, as well as polluting waterways. If somehow you decide you don’t want your metal straw anymore, or it gets damaged, you can recycle it with scrap metal.
- Easy to clean. You can also get a straw cleaner or just throw them into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
- Better for wildlife. Plastic straws can often get stuck in the noses, bellies or throats of wildlife. They often mistake them for food, especially when partially broken down so protect the wildlife by making the switch.
- More cost efficient. Packs of plastic straws over time can add up but one reusable metal straw is extremely durable and can be reused hundreds of times.
