It’s summertime; the weather is nice, the days are longer, and it’s the time of year when families take vacations and people plan trips. But, it’s also Plastic Free July, and it can seem difficult to pair travel with plastic free living. So as you begin packing suitcases and looking for mini versions of all of your toiletries, consider these simple swaps to participate in plastic free July and live more sustainably year round.
1. Snack Bags
Make it easy to ditch single plastic bags when you make the swap to washable and reusable Snack Bags. They are perfect for carrying snacks, toys, small trinkets, or anything in between. Our Snack Bags are complete with a waterproof and food safe PUL lining for easy clean up and to protect against spills.. You can even toss the Snack Bags in the washer when they’re ready for a deep clean!
2. BYOB
Bringing your own bag is one of the easiest ways to be sustainable. We resort to using plastic bags way more than we realize in our day to day activities. Our Market Triangle Tote is big enough to carry all of your belongings, yet sturdy and durable enough to last through all of your adventures. Take it grocery shopping, carry souvenirs, or take it to the beach! Plus, it comes in a variety of great prints.
3. Laundry Detergent Sheets
If you are traveling for extended periods of time, then a laundry day is inevitable. SKip plastic detergent bottles and try laundry detergent sheets instead. Earth Breeze Eco Sheets are concentrated, pre-measured, and low-sudsing. Theywork in all washing machines, including HE models. They dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water, and you can even hand wash clothes with Eco Sheets. Many people also use Earth Breeze with septic and grey water.
4. Skip Plastic Straws
Just like plastic bags, we rarely think twice about the number of single use plastic straws that we use every day. Make it easier to say “no, thank you,” to plastic straws by bringing your own reusable straw with you in a Straw Pouch. Each Straw Pouch comes with a removable interior PUL lined wet bag to keep your dirty straws separate from the clean ones. The wet bag snaps in and out, making it easy to remove and wash. Plus, you can find Straw Pouches in tons of colors and prints that even kiddos will love!
5. Look for it in Bar Form
We can't bring our entire shower with us when we travel, so we often purchase travel sized products. Let’s be honest, we all love the mini toiletry section; everything is always cuter when it’s small. But there are alternatives for many of these items that do not include the plastic bottles and packaging. Instead, look for items that come in solid bar form. For example, try shampoo and conditioner bars. These hair care bars are non-toxic, plastic free and they smell and feel amazing. No need to ship plastic bottles of (mostly) water when you can get concentrated hair care packaged in a 100% compostable, recyclable, and biodegradable cardboard box that is even printed with water-based ink. You can also find other items in bar form, like face wash. This Facial Cleansing Bar from Meow Meow Tweet is handmade in small batches with vegan and all-natural ingredients. It is plastic free and packaged in 100% recyclable materials. For more information about products available in bar form, visit our blog post here.
6. Soap Saver Pouf
Traditional loofahs are made of plastic and will not biodegrade. Our Soap Saver Pouf is the perfect sustainable solution for a plastic free wash, as it is made entirely from organic cotton mesh. The pouf opens to reveal a Soap Saver Bag where you can store your favorite bar soap to get maximum use out of it. This Soap Saver Pouf is handy for keeping loose bits of soap together, and can even double for doing dishes.
7. Sustainable Skin Care
Make up wipes contain plastics, and cotton rounds are bad for the environment. However, making the swap to washable and reusable Facial Rounds keeps your skin clean and the planet cleaner. Our Facial Rounds are perfect for taking makeup off, or applying skin care products. Plus, you can find them in tons of great colors and prints. Store your Facial Rounds in a Cosmetic Bag, complete with a waterproof and leak resistant PUL lining, so you won’t have to worry about toiletries exploding in your suitcase. This Cosmetic Bag is perfect for keeping track of your reusables while traveling.
Ditching plastic doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems. It’s all about making simple swaps as you go, and becoming aware of single use plastics in your life. By implementing even a few of these simple swaps, you are reducing waste and your footprint. However, sustainability isn’t just something we do in July, it’s a year round practice. How else do you avoid plastics? Reach out and let us know, we’d love to talk!
