Plastic Free July

Happy July Aotearoa! 2021 marks the 11th year of Plastic Free July!

“We can do two things at once – take care of our health and reduce our impact on the environment. There is simply no excuse.” – Mary-Louise McLaws

Ten easy sustainable swaps:

1) Swap liquid soap for bar soap.

2) Swap disposable nappies for reusable cloth or compostable nappies (e.g. Little & Brave Eco Nappies).

3) Swap pads and tampons for menstrual cups (e.g. The Hello Cup), reusable pads and period underwear (e.g Awwa Period Underwear). 

4) Swap plastic-wrapped toilet paper for paper-wrapped toilet paper or buy in bulk to reduce plastic.

5) Use a reusable drink bottle, coffee cup and straws.

6) Swap plastic-packaged personal products for environmentally friendly products (e.g. Ethique, B.BOLD Natural, Everkind, Solid Oral Care, Ecostore, Dirty Hippie). 

7) Swap cling wrap for Beeswax Wraps (e.g. Honeywrap). 

8) Swap single-use face masks for a reusable mask.

9) Swap takeout containers for your own reusable containers.  

10) Grow herbs from cuttings in the kitchen, on a balcony or a vegetable patch, if you have room.

Illustration by Eco with Em.