PLASTIC-FREE JULY CHALLENGE

Plastic free July is an opportunity to join millions of people reducing their plastic waste. Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. There are loads of ways you can get involved in Plastic-Free July - the best way to get started is to set yourself personal challenge to reduce single-use. In this blog we take a look at the top 4 single-use plastic polluters and their reusable alternatives

1. Reusable Water Bottle

Not so fun fact: 1 million single-use water bottle are bought every minute.

There are a dizzying array of reusable water bottles out there for every budget. We stock a wide range of steel water bottles in assorted colours that all come with a 15 year warranty. Perhaps you know someone who’s yet to make the switch? – If so, a reusable bottle makes a great gift! You can grab 15% off any of our reusable water bottles this July, just head over to the Plastic-Free July collection to browse our range of single-wall & vacuum insulated bottles.

2. Reusable coffee cup

Using a reusable coffee cup is an incredibly easy way to avoid singe-use (plastic or otherwise). A staggering 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year globally and still less than 1% get recycled. Check out our incredibly stylish and sustainable take on the reusable coffee cup here. With 15% off for the whole of July! 

3. Plastic straws

It’s easy to ditch the straws altogether, but smoothies demand a straw, surely! And no-one likes the feeling of ice on your teeth when you're trying to enjoy your iced coffee. 

Paper straws? As with takeaway coffee cups there are non-plastic alternatives. When the ban on plastic straws came into force in 2020 many restaurants and bars started using paper straws, and while just about anything is better than plastic, paper straws are not a great alternative, they get soggy, don’t work for hot drinks and at the end of the day single-use is single-use. So for us, a reusable straw steel is the way to go! You can buy a few, use them for everything, and never again contribute to the immense amount of plastic waste created by straws. You can brighten up all manner of iced drinks with our super sustainable and colourful rainbow straws. Our straws are 18/8 stainless steel, dishwasher-safe and perfect for most drinks and smoothies.

4. Bag for life

We’re finishing with the easiest switch here! Plastic bags are the most commonly legislated against and the most visible sign of plastic pollution. Grab yourself a snazzy tote bag like all the cool kids and make sure you bring it with you when you go to the shops. Keep one in every handbag or backpack so you don’t forget. Otherwise you’ll be staggering out with your arms full to avoid having to buy yet another bag for life

So, why not start the summer by reducing your single-use plastic by cutting down on these 4 big polluters.

Plastic bags

Takeaway coffee cups

Plastic straws 

Water bottles

(5.) The Lunchbox

Bonus switch! Seeing as we do love a good lunchbox we couldn’t resist pointing out that bagging yourself a reusable food container and using it at the deli, butcher, takeaway counter will get you extra kudos and you will be able to triumphantly ask for your veggie sausage bap ‘sans plastic wrap’; demand they ‘hold the box’ for your daily salad or bento!

Don't foget to check out our plastic free July sale collection for 15% off water bottles, reusable cups and more here. 

Extra plastic-free living resources:

• The Plastic Free July website has some great resources on getting started, how to sign up to the Plastic-free July challenge, tips easy packaging to avoid, to local advocacy and event ideas so definitely check them out: www.plasticfreejuly.org/get-involved/
• Friends of the Earth have a handy pinterest board for more plastic-free product options: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/friends_earth/plasticfreefriday/
• Use this Surfers Against Sewage map to locate plastic-free communities near you and get involved with local initiatives.
• Beeswax Wraps UK have a handy directory which maps over 200 zero waste shops in the UK