- Beauty
The G+S 2022 Conscious Gift Guide
What our favourite sustainability change-makers have on their list this year The G+S 2022 Conscious Gift Guide
Image Creatv Eight/Unsplash
Easy swaps to reduce your encounters with plastic
By Erica Watson
Breaking up with plastic is no mean feat. In fact some would argue it’s near impossible. From food to packaging and personal care products, plastic is everywhere, so much so that a recent study shockingly found microcplastics in human blood, having already been identified in in human tissue and organs, the deepest parts of the worlds oceans, and on top of Mt Everest.
Just like adding a reusable cup to your daily routine, refilling your drink bottle instead of buying new or remembering to take your shopping bags to the supermarket, there are also areas of the home where you can cut back, and reduce explosure. Here are our simple tips for creating a plastic free kitchen:
Skip the plastic dish brush and scrubbers in favour of bamboo varieties. This eco-friendly material can now be found in most supermarket aisles, so you don’t need to head to specialty stores to find them. Bamboo brooms are also becoming a designer kitchen must-have!
Try washable cloths instead of those that you use for a week or two and then discard. If you choose microfibre cloths, add a Cora Ball or similar (which you toss into your wash to remove microfibers from washing away with your laundry load). And don’t forget to always use cold water and plant-based detergents.
They used to be the boring gift you received each christmas from Great Aunt Betty, but those kitsch printed tea towels are at the core of a plastic-free kitchen. They’re much friendlier to the environment than paper towel, use them again and again to wrap herbs, sandwiches or veggies.
If you really want to go the extra mile try making your own cleaning products. A little vinegar and bi-carb soda water mixed with a few drops of essential oils – like lavender, tea tree or clove – is a cleaning powerhouse and will cost you a fraction of a store-bought spray.
Bulk stores aren’t just great for food, many also have shampoo, soap and dishwashing liquid too. The best part is you can try a little before committing to larger quantities. It means less waste and you’ll always be happy with the outcome!
Related; Simple swaps to go plastic free in your bathroom
Related; Why lemons are our go-to household fix-all
Subscribe to our newsletter
What our favourite sustainability change-makers have on their list this year The G+S 2022 Conscious Gift Guide
Tips from the team behind the Leaf x Jac + Jack laundry collection How to care for your delicates without dry cleaning
A lesson in homesteading with Connie Cao Homesteading: a way of life we can all embrace
We talk to the amazing women changing the way we use plastic These women are fighting plastic pollution one innovation at a time
How a global beauty brand is addressing our depleting resources The many layers of sustainable beauty
“It’s like running a daily marathon” What it’s like to start a sustainable fashion business