So here we are, yet again at another plastic free July. If you are not familiar with this challenge, it happens every year during the month of July. The point is to avoid using plastic as much as you can. There is more info and tips here and I have also talked about it last year in this post.
As a couple we gave it try last year for the first time, but I have been doing it by myself for years. Not to say that I am completely zero waste, but I have been working on reducing my waste. Talking about our experience last year, I realized how much plastic I was using on my skincare and beauty. L discovered a whole new world. He was so used to not thinking too much aside from skipping a few plastic bags. This helped him realize how much plastic we really use that is not necessary.
Now, I don’t want to bore you again with the tips I shared last week. Instead I’m going to give you some more specific tips that I’ve been applying on a daily basis. Also I’m sharing some brands that have helped me lower my waste
SKINCARE + BEAUTY
I had been purchasing a lot items that came in plastic. Serums, creams, haircare, body wash, sunscreen, etc. I am now focusing on getting most if not all of my skincare products in glass containers. For haircare, I have switched now to shampoo and conditioner bars and I switched my body wash for a soap bar. I am also using a razor that has replaceable blades (not a safety razor).
Some brands I recommend:
- Esteli. All of their products come in glass containers, and they ship zero waste. You can read reviews for all the products here and visit their website here.
- Hi Bar. This is the brand for the shampoo and conditioner bar I use. I got them for a review and they changed my world. You can read their full review here and visit their website here.
- Raw Elements. I tried their tinted moisturizer first from some Detox Market samples I got. It comes in an aluminum tin. I have a mini review on this blog post. You can purchase it here, and it’s also available on Amazon.
- Flamingo. I am terribly afraid of safety razors, I am the clumsiest with sharp objects and I feel like it will be a blood bath. But I have found this razor with replaceable heads is pretty convenient and affordable. I have been using it for a while now and I have been liking it a lot. It is not like the Venus razors. There is no soapy gunk that gets everywhere or a blade that lasts two uses. The blades last a long time and the replacements are not expensive. I talked more in depth here, and you can check them out here. I bought mine at Target.
SHOPPING
I have finally have L on board with using the reusable bags when he does the shopping. He even suggested we keep a bag or two in the car in case we forget them at home. I have a little one that I have always in my purse which has turned out to be very convenient.
Also, I am still reusing the plastic bags I’ve got in the past for all the items I buy in bulk. Unfortunately at Winco they don’t let you use glass jars, but using the plastic bags it is still very convenient. As soon as I get home I pour everything in their glass containers. The bags get washed and they are ready for my next trip to the store.
I don’t get a lot from the aisles of the store but what I get I try to get in cans or glass. I can’t tell you how happy it made me that they have diced chipotles in a glass jar now. It is must have item in my pantry.
The fruit and veggie bags from Natural Home Brands are still going strong. They get dirty from time to time but I just dump ’em in the washer and they are as good as new. I seriously recommend you getting them, they are super affordable (I’ve seen them at Target for $4.99 you guys, c’mon!) I have an affiliate link trough there, but you can also go get’ em like rn.
One thing I have found very convenient are the bigger reusable bags. I have one from Home Goods, and it fits a lot of stuff. I have another insulated one from Trader Joe’s that I’ve had for years and I use for my veggies and fruits.
EATING OUT
We mostly eat out during the weekend, not so much from Monday-Friday. Our secret to avoid wasteful to go boxes? Eating the whole thing at the restaurant. But if you can’t, maybe you can carry some containers in your bag. As a reformed super-big-super-heavy-bag owner, I now hate when my purse is heavy, so finishing it all is more convenient. Plus, what are the chances you will eat the leftovers at home, most likely not. You can order only what you know you’ll eat, or share a plate if you’re not that hungry.
What I have started to carry in my bag are reusable straws. I usually drink either water, so I don’t usually need a straw. But I’ll occasionally I’ll order a drink that would need a straw and so I am ready for that.
As for coffees and matcha lattes, I have been preparing them all at home. I don’t really care for Starbucks coffee anymore, and their matcha lattes suck tbh (too sweet). I have saved so much money by preparing my coffee at home and I enjoy it more. Now I just need for the oat milk to come in a glass container or returnable bottle.
HOME CLEANING
I have been preparing a post where I enlist all the products I am using that are toxic free, but for PFJ purposes I will give you a few recommendations here:
- Dropps. This is a zero waste brand that offers laundry and dishwasher pods. I have only tried the laundry ones and they are so convenient! They come in a cardboard box and that is it! After you finish with the pods you can just recycle the box. Very good quality, natural and non toxic ingredients and super efficient as well. Check out their website here.
- Soap Berries. Soap berries or soap nuts are an awesome zero waste alternative for doing your laundry. You use about 6-9 nuts in a muslin bag and dump it in the washer along with your laundry. You use the same nuts for about 4-6 times and then you can put ’em in your compost bin. There are a lot of options on Amazon, and most come with a few muslin bags.
- Twist. I have been using these dish sponges for a while and they work just as the others if not better. You can get them here.
There you have it, I hope you find these tips helpful. I wanted to share more specific things I am doing to go an extra layer deeper. I still have more to do and I can’t wait to see what I will learn till next July. Please feel free to share what you are doing to avoid using plastic in your life.
