Happy Plastic Free July! In this blog I will be mentioning a bunch of different companies. None of these companies know that I am talking about them and these are not sponsored links - I just like doing research on what different products/services are available, and want to share them with you! Enjoy :)
Water Bottles - I really like S’well insulated water bottles, but I’ve also heard great things about Klean Kanteen. Metal water bottles are very sturdy and can be recycled at the end of their life. If you do not like to drink tap water, find a local refillery like Rocky Ridge so you can refill your bottle with delicious spring water.
Produce Bags - Chico Bags make a great mesh produce bag. You can also make your own using upcycled lace or some other sheer fabric. Alternatively, you can go without a bag altogether and just be sure to clean your produce when you get home!
Vinegar/Oil - Check out your local grocery or health food store for items in glass. Coconut oil can typically be found in bulk at your local bulk food store, and Unwrapped Kawartha in Lindsay, ON has cleaning vinegar available in bulk!
Cheese - Check your local deli or market for cheese than can be cut from a large block. See if they will put it in your own container or wrap in paper rather than plastic. Check out The Grocery Outlet (various locations across Ontario) to see what (vegan) cheeses you can find! They may be packaged in plastic, but by shopping at The Grocery Outlet you are helping to prevent food waste, which is even more important than avoiding plastic!
(Flavoured) Yogurt - The only yogurt in glass that I was able to find is by Riviera, which has a few different flavours, including some made with coconut milk. Health food stores may have some varieties of smaller/local companies available. Another way to go is to make your own yogurt and be able to flavour as you want! All you need to start is a spoonful of yogurt to start: recipe.
Kitty Litter/Pet Items - There are some options for natural kitty litter: Yesterday’s News (packaged in paper) and sWheat Scoop (packaged in plastic). Or you can make your own! Check out this DIY recipe which you can use entirely or to mix with your already existing litter.
For pet food, go to a pet store and see if they have any options in bulk that you can fill your own container or paper bag, or brands available in all-paper bags. There is a company called Open Farm that makes humane/ethical pet food has a Terracycle recycling program for their bags, so that could be an option that works for you. Whatever you choose, make sure you are choosing nutritional value over packaging, as your pet’s health is more important than the packaging their food comes in. To make packaged food go further, add in cooked vegetables like sweet potato. Check with your vet to see which foods are best for your pet’s health.
I also wanted to talk about poop bags. There are quite a few brands that are listed as compostable or biodegradable, but they might not be breaking down fully in the compost bin. Check out this article for more info. Bio Bags are a good brand to look for that are actually compostable. Another option is to have a container specific for poop that you can scoop while out for a walk, and then toss it in your specific back-yard composter for dog poop (Note: do not use this compost on edible things in your garden). No poop bags, no worrying about whether or not they are compostable. Although you will have to clean poop off the container regularly, so that may not be a viable option for you. There are also paper poop bags available!
Make your own dog cookies/treats to avoid packaging! Or find ones in bulk sections of stores to put in your own container.
Make your own dog toys to avoid packaging! Having toys that will last a very long time and are almost indestructible will also reduce your waste. Check out this great article about the best indestructible dog toys here.
Toothbrush/Toothpaste - I recently purchased the bamboo electric toothbrush from Sustainable Tomorrow and am really enjoying it. For an in-depth analysis and review of this toothbrush, check out this blog by Logan Cohen! The most sustainable manual bamboo toothbrush I’ve found is Brush with Bamboo. As for toothpaste, David’s Natural Toothpaste seems to be the best contender so far because it comes in metal recyclable packaging, and the taste is great! I have tried Nelson Naturals Toothpaste, but the taste was too much like baking soda for my like. But for anyone who doesn’t mind that, it does come in a glass jar! Something fantastic that has come to my attention recently is that you can recycle dental packaging for free through Terracycle’s mail-in program. This works for plastic toothbrushes, packaging, floss containers, and more!
Takeout Packaging - Research your local takeout options to see what they use for takeout packaging. Avoid the ones that use styrofoam, and instead go for the ones that use paper boxes that can be recycled, or plastic containers that you would clean and reuse afterwards. Ask for no cutlery and napkins when placing the order. You can always call and ask a company if they will let you use your own container!
Grocery Bags - Chico Bags makes great reusable bags that fold up small in your purse. Avoid using bags that cannot be machine washed if you are transporting raw meat.
Toilet Paper - Find toilet paper wrapped in paper and packaged in a cardboard box rather than rolls wrapped in plastic. You can get cases of toilet paper wrapped in paper from Staples, Costco and Cascades from Wholesale Club.
Menstrual Products - Period underwear like Knix, menstrual cups like Diva Cup, and reusable pads like Aisle (formerly known as Luna Pads) are all fantastic options for people who menstruate.
Medications/First Aid - Look for natural options packaged in glass bottles, try using plant-based balms for minor afflictions and compostable bandages like Patch. Please use prescription medications when needed, no matter the packaging. Your mental and physical well-being is of the highest priority.
Shipping Packaging - Try purchasing as much locally as possible to avoid items being shipped far distances and excess packaging. Shop from small companies that may be able to adjust their packaging to reduce plastic if you get in touch with them. Add a comment to your order asking for less packaging, smaller envelope, plain packaging etc. Reuse bubble envelopes or post them to your local Buy Nothing page for other people/small businesses to use!
Cleaners - Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice is an amazing combination to help keep things sparkly clean and fresh smelling. Essential oils are also great to add for a fresh scent. Rather than having a whole bunch of different cleaners for various purposes, have one good all-purpose cleaner. The reasons companies have multiple types of cleaners is so they can make more money from each customer!
Tea - Avoid plastic-laden tea bags and instead opt for loose leaf tea in a stainless steel tea ball, tea strainer or linen tea bag. These can usually be found at a specialty tea shop or a health food store.
Bread - Purchase bread available in paper bags (local bakery or health food store), or if possible use a reusable bread bag. I love my ONYA bread bag, but they do ship from Australia so the shipping costs add up. If you keep bread in the freezer it will preserve it for a few weeks, and then you can just thaw or toast what you need for the day!
Chewing Gum - Unfortunately most chewing gum has plastic in it, except for brands like Glee Gum and Simply Gum. Opt for breath mints packaged in tins instead of gum, or chew on a fresh peppermint leaf. And of course, make sure to brush your teeth regularly and stay hydrated to keep your breath smelling fresh!
Tape - Use brown packing tape which is available at Staples and other retailers. It is recyclable when left adhered to a cardboard box or piece of paper. Washi tape is a great alternative to conventional plastic tape because it is often made from bamboo or hemp and can be reused, recycled or composted depending on the brand. Check out this article for more info. You can purchase Washi tape at crafting retailers like Michaels. For gift wrapping use string to tie a package together, or try various folding techniques to eliminate the need for tape.
Hardware/Screws - Rather than purchasing hardware in plastic packages, go to the bulk section of your local hardware store and only get as much as you need. They will often have paper bags available to fill what you need. Or opt for no bag if you only need a handful!
Beverages - Try finding beverages such as juice, pop, and alcohol in glass bottles or cans. Bring glass beer/wine/liquor bottles back to The Beer Store because they sanitize and reuse the bottles. Otherwise, when they get sent to the recycling centre they are typically broken down and remade into new bottles, which requires much more energy!
New Items/Thrifting - When you purchase something new, it often comes packaged in plastic. Thrifting or purchasing vintage items is a great way to eliminate this plastic, as you get the item as it is on the shelf. Just be sure to use your own reusable shopping bag when checking out.
Dish Scrubbies - Typical dish scrubbies are made out of plastic and only last a couple of weeks before they are trash. Use cotton dish cloths, bamboo fibre bottle brushes, and/or Skoy products for sustainable dish washing needs.
Food Packaging - Try shopping in bulk and bring your own container if that is possible during Covid-19. Many small retailers like The Main Ingredient will still let you bring your own containers. When bulk shopping isn’t an option, look for products that are packaged in glass, metal or paper instead! See what items you can make yourself to avoid even more packaging.
Soap/Shampoo - Find a small business near you that specializes in making natural soaps! A company local to KW that I love is Buck Naked Soap Company, and their soaps are sold in retailers in Peterborough and other areas all over Ontario! Shampoo can be found in bar form, rather than purchasing liquid shampoo in a plastic container. Some people opt for the no-poo method, using apple cider vinegar as a rinse to keep grease at bay. Some shops, like Sustain and GreenUp, have liquid shampoo/conditioner in bulk so you can fill up your own container.
Hair Removal - Use a safety razor, where the only thing that needs to be replaced is the metal blades (which are recyclable). Sugaring is a hair removal technique that has no waste because the sticky residue can be composted, and there are no pieces of paper or plastic used to apply the sugar. Or, if you’re like me and you want to defy patriarchal norms of “feminine beauty”, don’t shave at all! Go natural and save the Earth :)
Candy/Chocolate - Opt for candy and chocolate that is available in bulk food stores where you can bring your own container, or purchase items that are packaged in paper boxes rather than plastic bags (eg. Nerds, Sweet Tarts, Mike and Ikes, Junior Mints etc.)
Skincare - Find skincare that is natural, good for your skin, and comes packaged in glass, metal or in compostable containers such as paper tubes for lip balm. Check your local health food store or local maker for some great options!
Hair Ties - Check out Terra Ties or Kooshoo hair ties, which are both made out of organic cotton and natural tree rubber rather than plastic, which makes them biodegradable! Extend the life of your current hair ties by tying them together when they snap, and continue to use around the house for various things as well as for hair! I’ve also heard of people picking up hair ties they find on the ground, sanitizing them and using them as a way to reduce their environmental impact!
Writing Utensils - Pens and markers run out quickly and they create a lot of waste… Get refillable ones instead! STAEDTLER makes refillable markers, pens, highlighters, and white board markers, though I’ve only seen them on Amazon, not in any local retail store YET. I’ve also stumbled across Copic refillable markers for art, and they seem to be available at Michael’s. If you have old/dried up writing utensils laying around, please take them to Staples to be dropped off for proper recycling. They have a Terracycle bin set up at most of their locations.
Reuse Plastic - It is completely normal and natural in the world that we live in that we will accumulate plastic baggies, packaging and bottles. And that’s ok! Do not put so much stress on yourself about avoiding things if it’s not possible. Instead, see how you can reuse and upcycle. For example, don’t purchase plastic sandwich bags anymore, and instead wash and reuse what you already have in your home. Using up what you have is more important than replacing plastic with other materials!
Share and Inspire Others - If you found this article helpful, please share with others! We can all do a little bit each day or each month to reduce our waste, and encourage others to do the same. What is your pledge this Plastic Free July?
