31 ways to reduce your plastic waste and swap to more sustainable alternatives
Kitchen
1. Ditch the plastic wrap + zip lock bags
Beeswax wraps are a much better alternative to plastic wrap as they can be used repeatedly and are biodegradable. You'll be spoilt for choice with so many pretty designs to choose from. Reusable silicone bags will have you questioning why you haven’t used them sooner! Much more sturdy, one time purchase which will last you years and no more single use so better for our environement.
2. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk saves you time, money and reduces the amount of packaging needed. Our go-to is Source Bulk Foods for all pantry staples.
3. Try silicone baking mats
Time to switch out the old school grease proof paper once and for all and swap it for silicone. Silpat are a great alternative and can be used over and over again.
4. Knives
Best to avoid knives with plastic handles for a few reasons. If you choose 100% metal versions instead, they'll last you much longer!
5. Linen napkins over paper ones
Single use items are what we aim to avoid. Paper napkins end up in our already overflowing landfills - not a pretty sight. A better alternative we can get around are beautiful linen napkins (an even more sustainable option to cotton) which we can use over and over again.
6. In the microwave
Protect food splatters from occuring with a plate or resuable cover that can be washed and resued rather than plastic wrap.
7. Embrace loose leaf tea
Much nicer to the environment than tea bags which more often than not are made from plastic. Who wants their tea to be filtered through plastic?! Plus loose leaf tea gives us all the perfect excuse to invest in a cute tea infuser. We are loving all things from Mayde Tea.
Cleaning
8. Use reusable cleaning products
This is where we come in! A sustainable cleaning solution for every room of the home. From the floor to those hard to reach high areas.
Put those single use floor wipes away, you won’t need them anymore! Our Floor Bundle will get the job done sans the unsustainable wipes. Switch to our Floor cleaning system and save 26 packs of disposable refill floor cleaning wipes over three years. Say hello to sustainble clean, streak-free floors every time.
9. Clean without chemicals + explore Fibre technology
Sparkly clean Bathroom surfaces are acheivable with just ENJOtex Fibre and water (yes water) thanks to our Bathroom Bundle and not a bottle of cleaning solution in sight!
Our Living Bundle provides great value and has all your furniture, fabrics and leather upholstery needs covered (sustainably) with minimal effort required. Did we mention that our products last up to 200 washes? That's about 3 years! No need to worry about refills or any more chemicals.
10. Recycle Waste
Have you ever thought about what happens after a product is used? Back companies (like us!) who put waste to work with recycling programs. All old ENJO Fibres are turned into car seats and home insulation after they have lived their best cleaning life.
On the go
11. Opt for reusable straws
Gone are the days of disposable plastic straws and stirrers and we couldn't be happier! With so many biodegradable straws now available made of wheat, bamboo and silicone to name a few, theres a straw for everyone's liking.
12. Bring your reusable coffee cup
More and more cafes are now embracing the concept of 'bring your own cup' and using reusables over single use takeaway cups. Many even offering discounts to those who bring their own. Huskee have some lovely keep cups that are making single use coffee cups a thing of the past!
13. Own stainless steel or glass lunchboxes
No more single use plastic takeaway containers with last nights leftovers for lunch. Elevate your lunchbox game with a fancier resusable lunchbox that will last way longer than their plastic counterparts.
14. Plastic-free chewing gum
Yes, gum contains plastic. Surprised? We're not a fan. Opt for an organic variety instead.
15. Invest in reusable produce bags
Grocery shopping never looked so good! Unsightly plastic bags (holding all that fresh produce) don't need to occupy your trolleys any longer! Our Fruit & Veg bags are a much better solution!
16. Reusable water bottle that you are proud to carry around
Keep your water intake up in style with a reusable water bottle . Frank Green can do no wrong in our eyes. Complete with straw lid - it can't get any more sustainable than that!
17. Eco friendly cutlery set
Not the plastic kind of disposible cutlery you might be familiar with a new and improved variety made of sustainable materials. Super convenient to always have on hand. Why not keep a set in the car glovebox for those just-in-case moments.
Fashion
18. Shop second hand
Searching for the perfect peice of clothing? Look no further than your local Op shop. Great for your wallet and the environment. Buying and selling second hand clothing is a way to make fashion more sustainable and greatly reduces the ecological footprint. Saving resources and reducing carbon emissions.
19. Must have biodegradable tights
Two words: Billi London! Durable, comfortable and sustainable! Made with biodegradable yarns these will quickly become a fave in anyone's wardrobe.
20. Arm yourself with reusable shopping bags
Never be caught out at the checkout again. Flaunt that reusable bag like it's from the latest Prada collection! Baggu reusable bags fold up nice and compact for all of your on-the-go errands. Just wash and use time and time again. No more unslightly plastic bags!
Living
21. Opt for stainless steel laundry pegs
Every had a plastic peg break on you mid clothes hanging? Stainless steel varieties come out on top for durability (no more brittle breakages), won't stain your clothes and they'll last forever.
22. Celebrate with bunting & banners
Balloons are so last century. They fall under the single -use category used for a short period of time before being discarded. Not to mention if they get cast into the air they'll wind up as litter on our precious beaches and potentially injuring wildlife on the way. Elevate your celebrations with decorative bunting and banners instead! A much more eco friendly option.
23. Choose wooden children's toys
Kids put everything in their mouths let's not add plastic to mix. Wooden toys are superior to plastic in more ways than one. Durable with less small parts = safer as less chance of breakage and potential choking hazard. with so much plastic waste produe each year, the wooden toy alternative is an easy way to do your bit for the environment.
24. Sparkling water dispenser
Sparkling water at the ready minus all the plastic bottles - music to our ears! Who wants to lug around heavy plastic bottles from the grocery store? Sparkling water makers or dispensers are much more environmentally freindly than buying single use plastic bottles. The bottles used with the dispenser machines are reusable too. We can't go past SodaStream!
Personal Care
25. Reusable skincare products
Look no further than Santé! Keeping it sustainable every step of the skincare routine from Makeup Removal pads, Cleansing Fibres and Exfoliators. It's simple, just add water! Products last up to 200 washes - that's about 3 years. Thank us later.
26. Sustainable toilet paper
Who Gives A Crap is our fave and a fave for a reason! With plastic-free products on offer made from 100% bamboo or recycled fibres these biodegradable rolls have our heart.
27. Switch to shampoo, conditioner and soap... bars
We could easily add all items to cart from St James Supply Co. With plastic free haircare options without all the nasties and fully biodegradable. Take our money!
28. Bamboo Toothbrush
Repeat after us, bamboo toothbrushes are better and biodegradable! No need for plastic in the dental cleaning department - just how we like it!
29. Sustainable nail polish
With plant based formulas, a 'clean' nail polish option is a reality! Sienna Byron Bay plant based formulas and sustainable processes make us as consumers very happy.
30. Biodegradable cotton buds
Plastic free paper stems which are biodegradable makes your purchase feel better! Plastic has been replaced for good!
31. Reusable razor + replaceble blades
So many disposable razors end up in landfill everyday but a reusable one will last years! We love the look of these.
