Plastic Free July: Trying to Empower Change, One Step at a Time
Here at Little Box of Joy we are passionate about trying to reduce and reuse the amount of plastic that is used within the brands that we stock and our own packaging. We've put this article together to highlight some easy switches within your life and your home environment and about the global movement that is Plastic Free July. Plastic Free July challenges individuals to reduce their plastic use and consumption. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment and planet, and the initiative behind Plastic Free July aims to raise awareness, promote sustainable alternatives, and encourage lasting behavior change. By participating in Plastic Free July, you can make a tangible difference in reducing plastic waste and helping to create a cleaner, healthier planet. As a planet we produce over 380 million tonnes of plastic every year and reports indicate that as much as 50% of this is single use plastic which is used for a moment and then remains on our planet for several hundred years. Lots of this plastic unfortunately ends up in our seas and oceans, which has devastating effects on the animals who live there..
Practical Tips for a Plastic Free July
- Start with the basics: Replace your common single-use plastics with reusable alternatives like bags, bottles, and straws. I have a refillable bottle from One Green Bottle, which I love and it keeps my drinks lovely and cold. You can also purchase wooden washing up brushes and biodegradable kitchen sponges.
- Make conscious choices whilst shopping: Opt for products with minimal or plastic free packaging and support brands that offer sustainable options.
- Explore eco-friendly alternatives: Seek out products like bamboo toothbrushes, deodorants, shampoo bars, soap bars, and reusable food wraps.
- Visit your local zero waste shops who offer Zero Waste refills. You can refill items such as rice, pasta, lentils, dried fruits, cereals, oats, nuts, coffee beans, tea and so much more including fabric softener and washing powder. See our recommendations of stores to visit below.
- DIY and upcycle: Get creative and make your own household items and repurposing materials to reduce waste.
- Spread the word: Share your Plastic-Free July (using the hashtag #plasticfreejuly) journey to inspire others and create a ripple effect of change.
Plastic Free Brands we love
Here's some of our favourite plastic free brands and products that we currently stock. Even better is that all of these businesses below are independent, some are very local to us and really do put our planet at the forefront of what they do.
Thornbush Hill
Based in the historic market town of Cowbridge, which is about 8 miles from us is this little gem of a shop. They produce the most beautiful smelling 100% plant based wax candles, home fragrance and natural skincare. They have eliminated single use plastic from their packaging range, which includes putting their wax melts into packets made from potato starch, natural skincare and home fragrance comes in glass vessels or recyclable bags, their thank you cards are made from recycled brewers grain and any parcels are packed with compostable corn starch chips which will dissolve in water.
They've also been accredited by the Welsh Government as a green growth pledge business, which demonstrates their commitment to having a positive impact on our environment and the local area. You can check them and their gorgeous products out here Thornbush Hill - You won't be disappointed.
Vent 4 Change
Sustainable stationery with Style. Vent offers sustainable stationery that protects the planet and gives back and supports Children's education projects worldwide. They combine beautiful stationery such as notebooks, pens and so much more. Vent have impeccable eco credentials and offer an ethical purchasing alternative for the more conscientious consumers. As a company they donate 5% of their net sales turnover to supporting Children's education projects worldwide. They strive to create stylish stationery that not only will you love but also positively impacts the planet. They don't have an entirely plastic free range as do offer single use pens, but the plastic they use is not only recycled from old CD cases but also recyclable. They've recently launched their 'Make a Mark' range which features refillable pens. You can check out their beautiful stationery here.
Little Box of Joy - When selecting brands and products that we would like to work with and include in our gift boxes, we consider their packaging and their ethics. Our packaging is recyclable and reusable. Our gift boxes are intended to be kept to store items such as photos, mementoes etc or re-gifted to someone else. The paper shred we include in our gift boxes in recyclable, reusable and biodegradable. Our selection of cards and notecards are all made from certified FSC paper and can again be recycled or kept for memories. All our gift boxes are sent in package boxes that you are able to recycle or reuse and are filled with corn starch peanuts that dissolve in water. When we receive a shipment from a brand we try to recycle the packaging they have used in the gifts that we send out to you. We also use paper tape to seal all our parcels which is 100% Recyclable.
Our favourite plastic-free products.
Thornbush Hill - Freesia, Lemongrass and Peony Soy Wax Melts
Archivist - Apothecary Glass bottle of Long Colourful Artisan Matches with Strike pad
Paddywax - Heart Hands Tobacco and Vanilla Soy Wax Candle in a reusable pot
Badger and Birch - Pale Pink Terracotta Resin Trivets made using Eco Resin and Recycled Mussel and Oyster Shells
Secret Bath Bombs - Rose Bath Bomb
Vent 4 Change - Set of 3 Recycled Pencils
Tres Paper Co - A5 Rainbow Notebook
If you'd like to create a plastic free gift you can do so here..
If you are local to us (Bridgend) area make sure you check out The Station in Coychurch for a wide selection of Zero Waste Refills and the most yummy selection of cakes and sweet treats...
Summary
Plastic-Free July is an opportunity to take action against plastic pollution and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. Every single small change you make counts, and together we can create a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations to come. Join the movement, embrace the challenge, and let Plastic-Free July be the catalyst for lasting change.
Really hope this post has been informative, helpful and inspires you to be able to make some changes if your life and home surroundings. We would love to hear from you if you have any further tips, please add to comments if you think someone else could benefit from them. #plasticfreejuly
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