Go Plastic-Free this July!
Plastic-free month ❤️❤️
Plastic Free July started in 2011 to help reduce the world’s ever-growing plastic pollution. Throughout the year, but especially this month we are encouraged to rethink and try to reduce what we consume.
Plastic is everywhere and seems like an impossible thing to avoid but there are many ways to cut back on buying single-use plastics that will really help the planet! With more than 40% of plastic being thrown away after just one use, it is clear this topic is super important and needs to be improved!
The harm of plastics to our planet
Plastic is very harmful to the environment, threatening wildlife, spreading toxins and contributing to global warming. Plastic is made from fossil fuels such as gas and oil, and it is these chemicals that affect the earth’s temperature rising. ☀️🔆
Plastic is popular due to the accessibility, low cost, and durability of the material but the long-term effects are frightening! For example, plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose
in a landfill and it is estimated that globally, nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold every minute.
It is not just landfills where plastic builds up though! Marine plastic remains are one of the most problematic environmental concerns that we face in the world today. Sealife entanglement, microplastic ingestion, toxins along with plastic pollution are just a few devastating effects that plastic pollution has on us and the environment. Our marine life is choking.
In our oceans there are now 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic floating around and every day 8 million pieces of plastic make their way into the sea! With all this trash accumulating the fish and other marine life are really suffering so there needs to be a change in these current unsustainable and unmaintainable ways! 🐠🐟
What you can do 💙
The most effective way to reduce your plastic waste is to use re-usable packaging or no packaging at all. This can be done in several ways and just a few changes to your daily routine can make all the difference. Even as little as bringing a reusable coffee cup or dining-in at your local café instead of getting a takeaway coffee cup.
Other alternatives could be:
· reusable fabric bags for fruit & veg etc.
· reusable containers and boxes for meat, fish, cheese etc.
· refillable bottles and jars for oil & vinegar, cleaning liquids etc.
· beeswax wraps instead of foil and clingfilm
· Sanitary items. Alternatives to tampons and pads for a plastic free period. ...
· Dental care. Plastic-free toothbrushes, toothpaste etc.
· Bringing your own shopping bags when getting groceries!
Brands to buy from 💛💛
Here are some awesome brands available on Cerqular that can kick start your mission to reduce the number of single-use plastics you use!
A good company
At A Good Company, their mission is to ‘eradicate mindless consumption and promote sustainable living, preserving the planet for future generations.’
From a range of phone cases, water bottles, posters, and toothbrushes there are so many options for you to make smarter and eco-conscious choices! So much love has gone into making their products all with beautiful patterns and designs you’ll love!
Bottle Bings World Peace $45.50
Out of the woods 👜🎒
Out of the woods create awesome reusable totes and other stylish bags! The US generates more plastic trash than any other nation and produces an astonishing 4.13 million tons of plastic bags each year. Now is the perfect time to find a re-usable alternative if you don’t have one already! With their sister brand ‘Out of the Ocean™’ making their bags from 100% ocean plastic, they are tackling two key problems at once! 🏝️
Iconic Shopper $28
Bagito 😍
Similarly, Bagito have also created some fantastic bags to choose from made from plastic waste that already exists in the planet! Together they have prevented thousands of pounds of plastic from entering the waste stream and recycled plastic waste into new products.
They have made carrier bags, kitchen storage bags and tote bags, and even a cutlery set so they have you covered!
Bagito Grande $14
Bagito Reusable Zip-Em Kitchen Storage Bags - Medium $7.92
Canava beeswax wraps and Compostic sandwich bags and clingwrap!
Clingfilm is not compostable and is only ever used for a short period of time making it very wasteful! Canava have created waxed paper to keep your food fresher and minimize plastic waste! There are so many benefits and wax paper can do almost everything that plastic wrap can!
Delano Wax Wraps $20
Compostic
Have made biodegradable cling film which is designed to break down completely in just 12-24 weeks instead of hundreds of years. So whether you choose to use compostable cling wrap or beeswax papers, you will be helping reduce your plastic footprint!
DTOCS
DTOCS is yet another great brand that tackles the use of plastic plates and other single-use tableware!
Perfect for a variety of events, these plates are made from naturally fallen palm leaves. They are chemical free, plastic free, microwave safe, elegant and most importantly compostable!
Dtocs Palm Leaf Bowls 5.5 Inch Round (Pack 50) | Bamboo Bowl Like Compostable Disposable Bowls For Serving Fruits, Soup, Cereal $30.80
Here were just a few suggestions about how you can make minor changes to make a major change! Enjoy your Plastic-free July and see if you can carry it on until the end of the year! 😍