It’s almost that time of the year again. Plastic Free July is just around the corner. Many environmental groups celebrate this month by giving up plastic. Take a moment and look around you. For every plastic item you have, be sure that there’s a plastic free option out there too. Today, we’re going to talk about the simple swaps we can make in our daily lives to make sure we’re living without plastic. But before we get started, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why is plastic so bad anyway?

The Dangers of Plastic

Many of us are drawn to plastic and disposable items because of convenience. But what if we told you that this comes with a high price? A high price you, your family, the animals and the planet have to pay. Plastic contains some of the worse chemicals out there! The math is simple: when plastic surrounds us daily (food wrap, cosmetics, tooth brush etc.) so do these harmful toxins. If you’re wondering what the consequences are let us give you an example: PVC which is commonly found in plastic can cause cancer, genetic changes, skin disease, deafness, vision and liver failure … to name a few!

We live in a world where we’re already exposed to toxins on a daily basis. And some of these we can’t control. But we can control what we bring into our homes, and what we directly expose ourselves and our families to. Plastic poses serious dangers to our health. But it doesn’t stop there. A lot of our plastic ends up in seas and oceans, becoming food for innocent animals, costing them their lives and destroying their homes.

Now you may be thinking: “I recycle.” But that’s a bit of a myth. Here’s why: it doesn’t go very far. When it comes to plastic, we call it down cycling, because after a few times, it can’t be reused, and where does it end up? Yes: landfill and oceans. Never ever completely breaking down. The chemicals and toxins floating in the air we breathe.

4 Simple Steps towards Plastic Free July

Here’s why we think celebrating Plastic free July is crucial. First and foremost, it creates the conversation that is much needed. When we think about ways to eliminate plastic, we start recognizing how much of a plastic-obsessed society we have become. The goal is to raise awareness and to start understanding the dangerous consequences plastic poses on our health and the environment. Once we understand that, the action bit isn’t so hard. And we’ve got some super simple tips to help you get started.

No Disposables:

There’s nothing worse than disposables. You use them once, and onto landfill they go. And the sad reality is that we live in a culture where disposables have come to shape our daily lives. From our morning coffee, to our shopping at the grocery store, to the quick lunch we get at work. Drinks are in plastic; straws are made out of plastic, water bottles and bags. But if you take a moment to think about it, you’ll see how simple it is to switch over to reusable items. Carry your own tote bag everywhere you go. You can easily fold it away in your purse or back pocket and use when needed. Choose a high quality glass or stainless water bottle instead of single-use plastic ones. If you really can’t be bothered to carry your own reusable containers for your quick lunch, then take a few moments, sit down and enjoy your meal. Sometimes slowing down is a really good thing!

Re-think Plastic Packaging:

We’ve been through this: almost everything around us is packaged in plastic. Anything from the food you eat to the cosmetics you use. But believe it or not, with a little bit of planning, you can reduce or even eliminate your plastic consumption. One option is to go completely package-free. Take your own jars and reusable bags with you, and buy from bulk stores. Go to the bakery to buy fresh bread (your body will thank you for it too!) and say no to the plastic. Make your own products and use natural oils as moisturizer. If this is too much for now, think about alternatives to plastic packaging. There are always glass and paper options that are still far better than plastic.

Plastic Free Alternatives:

Step three is easy. Once you have made the commitment to switch over from plastic, the rest is easy. Think about the reusable items you have in your household. While that’s still WAY better than disposables, you can push one step further by eliminating the plastic junk in your home. Switch over from Tupper wear to stainless or glass containers for food storage. Say no to plastic toothbrushes and get a bamboo one instead. Tampons and pads? Forget them! Try the Dive Cup for a healthier and sustainable option. These changes are long-term, and before you know it, you’ll look around your space and realize that plastic is nowhere to be found. Now that’s a clean home.

Keep the Fibres Natural

Yup. Sadly, even our clothes are made out of plastic. But they don’t have to be. When you purchase clothes (or anything else for that matter) read the label. Go for natural fibres instead of synthetic material.

Join us in celebrating Plastic Free July! Make the right choices and be kind to yourself and the planet. Got any questions? Comment below.