31 ways to reduce your plastic

Did you know that in the UK in 2017-2018 we used 7 million disposable coffee cups every day, that’s 2.5 billion in the year!

Single-use coffee cups are tricky to recycle due to the polyethylene lining which is tightly bonded to the paper outer. Less than 1% of coffee cups used are getting recycled, meaning most end up in landfill.

The paper component of the cup is not without its environmental harms either. Many cups are made from virgin paper pulp, meaning trees are being felled to produce a product that is only used for minutes. Add this to the carbon footprint of manufacturing and distribution and it’s clear single-use cups have a major impact on the environment.

We stock the brilliant rCUP in the van. The worlds first reusable cup made from used cups! (It also gets extra bonus points for being a Cornish based brand!) Each cup is made up of 6 used coffee cups. They’re fully insulated meaning drinks stay warm for at least 1hr 20, 100% leakproof, easy to use with single hand opening and no more drinking through a tiny hole in a lid with 360degree drinking. By switching to rCUP you save single-use coffee cups from landfill and contribute directly to the recycling of used coffee cups #winwin If you drink a lot of hot drinks on the go we highly recommend getting a reusable cup. When out and about without your cup think twice about getting a drink on the go- do you really need it that badly? Or can you drink in instead? It’s all a choice!

A 2018 survey by Keep Britain Tidy found that litter had increased in the 3yrs since its last survey. After cigarette butts the most littered items are “food and drink on the go” related packaging. Not surprising when Just Eat has reported spending on takeaway food has grown by 34% since 2009 with Breakfast takeaway increasing 508% and Sandwiches 402%.

It’s pretty hard to get food on the go without single use plastic packaging, look to avoid by making and taking your own.

Our stainless steel lunchbox is a great long-lasting choice to protect your pre-prepared meals. And paper sandwich bags offer a lightweight option - these can often be reused a couple of times as they're pretty sturdy!

How did England come to use an estimated 4.7 billion single-use plastic straws every year?

Humans have been using hollow, cylindrical tubes to bring liquid to their lips for centuries. 5000 years ago the Ancient Sumerians submerged long, thin tubes made from precious metals into large jars to reach the liquid below fermentation byproducts. The mass turning point was in 1888 when Marvin Stone patented the paper straw and started mass producing them in his factory in 1890. Then throughout the 1960s after the 2nd world war plastic was seen as a better material as it was cheaper and didn’t fall apart and thus began the mass consumption of single-use plastic straws around the globe.

Straws are made from the recyclable plastic polypropylene but unfortunately not accepted by most curb side programs, therefore they end up in the bin, making their way to landfill to exist for hundreds/thousands of years, or worse they end up in our natural environment causing harm (we’ve all seen the distressing video of the turtle with the straw stuck up its nose) with data from Ocean Conservancy’s TIDES system showing that straws are the 8th most found ocean trash in clean ups.

A UK ban of single-use plastic straws could be put in place by the end of this year, which will be great, but what material will those 4.7 billion straws switch to? What natural resource will be used up for an item used once and thrown away? We don’t think ‘plastic’ is the issue, ‘single-use’ is - making a switch to a reusable option means you’re not only stopping potential harm to the environment but also saving precious natural resources.

Did you know in Medieval Europe people used to carry their own personal knife for every eating occasion? There was no expectation that cutlery would be offered.

It’s estimated that disposable cutlery is used for just 3 minutes before it’s thrown away - how we ever thought that was a good use of the planets resources we don’t know. In 2018 the UK used around 16.5 billion pieces of plastic cutlery, meaning it’s a common item found in beach cleans.

Taking your own cutlery may seem a bit extreme but it really doesn’t take too much organisation or space and we hope it becomes the new normal! Whether you simply pack up a set from home or invest in a simple spork like this one here we have in the van. Made from 100% stainless steel this spork is made to last. Are you ready to make the switch to reusable cutlery and say no to disposable?

Our next simple swap from the van are wax wraps. These wraps are made from 100% beeswax, can be washed and reused (common lifespan is 1yr) and at the end of their useful life they can be thrown onto the compost to naturally biodegrade. We have a fantastic roll of wax wrap that you can cut to your own useful sizes and also two make your own kits, one that comes with fabric and one without - which is also great to use as a refresher for any existing wraps you have that may have lost their stickiness!

Using a wax wrap is simple- the heat from your hand helps to warm the wax and gives it a great seal. They are super versatile: you can fold and make boxes, roll them up and even create little pouches, great for keeping sandwiches and snacks on the go fresh. They can also be used generally around the kitchen to wrap any loose produce or over bowls and plates to help keep food fresh.

A fantastic swap for cling film which is pretty terrible. Created in the 50s it’s since become a household staple. It’s single-use and pretty hard to recycle due to the resins and chemicals called phthalates that give cling film it’s clinginess cannot be separated easily making it too complex a material to breakdown and reuse effectively. Make sure you’re not adding it to your curb side recycling as it’s more than likely to contaminate plastic that can be recycled.

Moving into the kitchen and we offer 5 different biodegradable, 100% compostable and sustainable alternatives to mass-produced harmful plastic kitchen sponges, pads and scourers.

Our EcoCocoNut dish brush and scourers are made from FSC accredited timber and sustainably farmed coconut husks. We also have a dish brush with a replacable head made from sustainable beach wood and natural bristles. Our LoofCo washing up pad is made from the loofah plant which is a vine from the cucumber family which is rich in durable fibres that are soft and flexible. And the Maistic bio scrubber is made from a cellulose sponge and loofah, replacing the tradition green plastic sponge you see in lots of kitchens! All are made from renewable raw materials that absorb CO2 while growing.

Your usual sponge you find in the supermarket are typically plastic based and made from polyurethane, bleach, assorted sulphates, chemicals and synthetic foam. Additionally many anti-bacterial sponges contain triclosan a much researched and potentially harmful chemical used in pesticides. Oil-based plastic sponges can’t be recycled or composted so they’re not a sustainable option and just add to landfill and plastic waste issues.

These If You Care sponge cloths are not only a great alternative to plastic sponges but also paper kitchen towels.

Blended from cellulose, non-GMO unbleached cotton and mirabilite, a natural mineral salt. During the production process the mirabilite is washed out leaving the remaining blend (70% cellulose 30% cotton) extremely porous, making these cloths extraordinarily absorbent, being able to absorb up to 20 times their weight in water.

Able to withstand high temperatures these cloths can be washed when needed in either the dishwasher or washing machine. We use them in the van and have been super impressed with them. Made from 100% renewable resources and naturally compostable at the end of their usefulness. All in all a great #plasticfree swap!

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of plastic in the kitchen then this bamboo utensil set is for you! Made from FSC verified bamboo with a natural oil coating.

Bamboo is perfect for utensils as it’s naturally heat, stain and water resistant. They won’t scratch your cookware, don’t react to food and are non-leaching, have natural germ killing properties, easy to grip and use, durable and of course they’re the environmentally responsible choice being renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic.

Plastic pegs often go brittle and start to splinter and break into smaller plastic pieces that will litter the natural environment and stay there for thousands of years. These ethically made wooden clothes pegs are much kinder to the planet than the widely available plastic ones you find.

These wooden pegs are biodegradable and compostable at the end of their useful life. The steel can be recycled and the wooden pegs composted. Unlike plastic pegs, they will not pollute the environment after use.

Our eco paper packaging tape uses natural rubber as a solvent adhesive making it completely plastic free and environmentally friendly. Using paper tape for packaging is great as it means the tape can stay on the box if you are looking to recycle the box (plastic tape needs to be removed or the carboard is contaminated for recycling) or can also be put in the compost to naturally breakdown. Win Win!

Yay for the humble bar of soap! Finally having their moment again after years of decline, sales of bar soap are increasing as people make the move away from plastic covered alternatives.

Our lovely soap bars from Alter/Native by Suma are completely plastic free in simple cardboard packaging. Made lovingly by hand in the UK with a mix of olive, coconut and shea oils that produce a rich creamy lather that’s naturally moisturising. Coming in a range of fragrances all from delicious smelling essential oils. Free from Parabens and SLS as well as Palm oil. A super simple plastic free swap for the home, great in the kitchen and the bathroom!

We also have great plastic-free accessories for your soap, an aluminium soap tin and a wooden soap dish made from sustainable acacia wood which will help keep your soap dry.

Our bathrooms and beauty products contribute huge amounts of plastic waste, up to 120 billion pieces of packaging a year! And typically less than 50% of our bathroom plastic is recycled.

Choosing a plastic free shower gel is a great way of removing one more piece of plastic from your bathroom. A solid bar also has the benefit of lasting longer than a liquid alternative, with one bar typically lasting the same amount of time as 2-3 bottles of shower gel!

Our facial care routines can use up a lot of plastic bottles but luckily bar soap is here to help! We stock these two great bars from Suma that are perfect for use as an alternative to face wash/cleanser.

The cocoa butter bar is best for sensitive skin, its fragrance free and made up of 3 simple ingredients, cocoa butter, olive oil and coconut oil.

The detox bar is great for oily, troubled skin as it has activated charcoal to restore balance, absorb toxins and remove skin impurities and oils.

Both bars are great for the face but can be used on the body also!

Still hooked on liquid shampoo and conditioner? Bars are an easy way to reduce the plastic packaging in your bathroom.

Ours are made with natural ingredients, no nasties and completely plastic free.

Buying one shampoo or conditioner bar saves more than one plastic bottle as bars typically last longer than their liquid counterparts and being made in the UK these bars have a low carbon footprint.

Plastic swap number 13: get rid of plastic based sponges in your bathroom.

Loofahs are not just for the kitchen, they’re great in the shower too! LoofCo body loofah will gently expand and soften in water, use it in the shower or bath and it will gently clean, exfoliate, smooth and refresh your skin. Biodegradable & compostable, a great alternative to plastic exfoliators and sponges. We also have a natural ramie shower puff available that is much better than the traditional plastic ones you find.

Konjac sponges are great for use on the face, offering gentle exfoliating properties. Made from the Konjac potato or Konnyaku, a perennial plant native to Asia. Completely free from chemicals, colouring, additives and irritants. These sponges are 100% biodegradable and fully sustainable.

According to an article from Lush 79% of people in the UK buy deodorant as part of their weekly shop. That’s around 50m people and when you think about how may deodorants are packaged in plastic or aerosols you can quickly see why we have a plastic problem.

Both aerosols and roll-on plastic packaging are hard to recycle. We stock the brilliant Scence Skincare deodorant- an all natural, aluminium free, plastic free deodorant, made here in Cornwall! Coming in compostable cardboard packaging it’s super easy to use. We stock 3 of their best selling aromas, Rose, Clary Sage and a fresh Citrus.

Rather than stopping your body do its natural thing and sweat, natural deodorants harness the power of nature to gently limit bacterial growth and use clever ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate that absorbs odours. With Scence you are being both kind to your skin and the planet!

In 2017 60.7 million razors and blades were sold in the UK alone- that’s a lot of disposable single-use plastic: the cheap plastic razor, the plastic casings on the blades, packaging that they all come in.

We think it’s time that we all binned the disposable razor for the final time and invested in a traditional safety razor, a design piece that’s been around since the 1880s. Our unisex quality traditional safety razors are from Naked Necessities with a beautiful natural wooden handle. The razor comes with 5 superior platinum double edge blades that offer a close shave and smooth skin. Blades are easy to replace and buy and you can also recycle them with your curbside recycling if you carefully place them within a tin can. Easy to use for both the guys and the girls.

Our Friendly Soap shaving soap is a great alternative to aerosol shaving foam, vegan friendly, parabens, sulphate and palm oil free. Handmade with castor, olive and coconut oil with kaolin clay, lavender and orange essential oils, aloe vera and water - all natural, coming in a recycled cardboard box.

Two great ways to further reduce the plastic in your bathroom. Have you made the switch?

Georganics say that over 150m plastic toothbrushes are dumped in UK landfill every year! And just think that the first plastic toothbrush ever made is probably still out there somewhere. With each person going through approximately 4 toothbrushes a year switching to a sustainable, compostable, zero waste option is a no brainier.

These Georganics toothbrushes are made from sustainable FSC Beechwood, suitable for home compost. Every tree cut down is re-planted and excess material is used to heat up the factory.

Please note that the bristles are nylon, Georganics have chosen the cruelty free option and use nylon 4 which is a biodegradable nylon. When your toothbrush comes to the end of its life, either upcycle it and use for cleaning around the house or you can break off the head, dispose of the handle in either the compost or again upcycle (great for use in garden as plant labels!) You can then return the heads to Georganics as part of their zero to landfill scheme- collect 10 heads, pop them in an envelope addressed to FREE-POST GEORGANICS and drop off at the post office - Georganics will then make sure the heads are disposed of properly and don’t end up in landfill - what an awesome thing to offer- a totally zero waste to landfill toothbrush! Oh and they try and keep their carbon footprint to a minimum too with all packaging made in UK.

Floss has been made from plastic since the last war, typically made from nylon or PTFE it begins its life as plastic pellets which is then melted together to form long strings. Large spoils containing many metres of floss are produced in factories each day.

A very recent study has expressed fears that a leading brand of floss has been linked to exposing users to PFAS acids. These are man made chemicals that don’t breakdown once introduced to the environment, meaning they can be found in the blood of people and animals worldwide, leaving researchers concerned about the potential side effects. Several studies have linked them with certain cancers, thyroid disease and immune system issues amongst others.

We think making a return to natural materials sounds like a good idea, not only for the waste element but for the well-being of people and the environment. Acala dental floss is made from corn, candelilla wax and peppermint essential oil, making it 100% vegan friendly and plastic free. There’s also no unnecessary single use packaging because the glass dispenser can be reused with refills available to top up once you’ve finished your first cocoon of floss.

We all know that the plastic tube your toothpaste comes in isn’t great. In the van we have two alternatives for you.

Georganics natural toothsoap comes in a recyclable or compostable cardboard tube. Made entirely from non-toxic ingredients and flavoured with organic peppermint essential oil, this recipe allows teeth to absorb nutrients without coating them, promoting natural remineralising and tooth nourishment. Fluoride and SLS free.

For those of you looking for a more natural toothpaste that still contains Fluoride we now stock Denttabs. Denttabs set out to create the best possible dental care using the least amount of chemical ingredients. They found that conventional toothpaste can contain over 100 different chemicals due to its water-based formula. In order to stabilise and preserve conventional toothpaste you need many chemical ingredients. By making toothpaste dry you remove the need for these. You simply chew up the tablet with the teeth, then brush teeth with wet toothbrush as normal and rinse out. You can bring your own reusable container for the Denttabs.

Two great alternatives to avoid plastic packaged toothpaste - we like to use a mix of both. Opting to use Denttabs in the morning and Georganics in the evening!

1.8 billion plastic stemmed cotton buds are used in England each year. About 10% of them are then flushed down toilets which can end up in waterways and oceans (have you seen the picture of the seahorse and the cotton bud?) Switching to a natural material is a great way to ensure plastic doesn’t make its way into the environment. These Humble Co cotton buds have a biodegradable bamboo stick and BPA-free cotton swab, a great eco-friendly and sustainable swap.

The humble cotton wool pad is a bathroom staple but comes with many environmental issues, with cotton being responsible for vast water usage and associated with heavy pesticide use if not organic. Cotton wool pads are almost always available only in a plastic wrapper and of course are single-use. Which is why we are super excited to have these reusable bamboo pads in the van. Made from bamboo which is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than cotton, these pads are reusable, so simply use as you would normally use a cotton wool pad but instead of then throwing away you can either hand wash or pop in the washing machine and they’re good to use again and again. These ones are also hand made in Cornwall so have super low mileage on them!

Sunscreen can be seen as causing two issues for the oceans, firstly in the chemicals usually found in sunscreen, many now being found to be harmful to marine life and secondly in the plastic bottle they usually come in, which is why we’re happy to be stocking Shade. An SPF25 sunscreen made with just four simple ingredients all in a recyclable or reusable tin - no plastic or harmful chemicals in sight! Developed to keep your skin naturally healthy whilst reflecting 96% of rays that can damage it. The mineral non-nano zinc oxide is the active ingredient that protects you from the UVA & UVB rays and sits on the skin rather than being absorbed into the skin.

The following sunscreen ingredients are known to be harmful to coral reefs and marine life: Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), Benzophenone-4, Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate), Butylparaben, Benzylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, Microplastics, Nanoparticles, Octocrylene, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Triclosan.

Sales of hand sanitiser rose 255% in February due to Covid-19 concerns. With many coming in single-use plastic containers we looked for an alternative for the van. We found a great refillable option from Sesi Refill, an alcohol based sanitiser made in Oxford with 80% alcohol. You can bring along your containers to refill and avoid wasting plastic bottles.

Another great swap for a plastic free bathroom is this effective and easy to use nail brush. Made from 100% natural materials, the wood is FSC Beechwood and the bristles are made from the sisal plant, so will not shed any microplastics into the environment.

Avoid plastic based products and opt for ones made from natural materials instead.

This sustainable oval FSC® bamboo hairbrush is made with anti-static and perfectly rounded hornbeam wooden pins set in rubber that gently stimulate and massage the scalp, while detangling the hair and preventing static build-up.

No more plastic combs with beautiful, sustainable FSC® certified beech wood options available.

And hair ties are often made from synthetic materials that can end up polluting the natural environment. These are made from two renewable, 100% biodegradable resources: natural rubber and GOTS certified organic cotton (dyed with natural, azo-free dyes).

Research by the European Tissue Symposium in 2007 found that yearly British toilet paper consumption was 110 rolls per head, flushing 17.6 kilos (39lb) down the lavatory every year. That’s not only a lot of precious natural resource being used just once, its also a fair few plastic wrappers. We now sell Greencane toilet paper in the van, available completely package free and it comes to us in one cardboard box and that’s it. Made from a mix of just 30% wood pulp together with 70% recycled sugarcane and bamboo fibre, Greencane is reducing the amount of trees being wasted on toilet roll and the amount of single-use plastic packaging.

The UK throws away an estimated 295 billion pieces of plastic every year. One way to reduce your disposable plastic use is to start collecting reusable containers.

You could buy new reusable options such as these two examples from the van- spray and pump glass bottles to replace plastic ones when they have broken are great options.

You can of course also collect and reuse what you have around the house: washing out jam jars, reusing takeaway containers, saving up bags or making your own from old fabric you have around the house.

Having a collection of jars and containers is a great first step towards refill/bulk/zero waste grocery shopping so you can swap single-use packaging for a refillable, reusable option. Do you have a favourite jar or reusable container?!

So you’ve been gathering containers- what next?! Go find a refill/zero waste store to fill them up!

We know it can be a bit daunting at first. We’ve found that the household cleaning liquids can be an easier place to start for some. You can easily reuse your old containers you already have at home.

We stock our home cleaning products from two brands, Bio D and Sesi Refill. We selected them because we’ve used them at home ourselves and know their products work. They’re both UK based brands, all their products are made here from ethically sourced natural ingredients. Free from added colour and paraben free. No nasties, great for sensitive skins. No enzymes used. All biodegradable substances which means they’re great for septic tanks and your grey water will be fine to use on the garden. Vegan and cruelty free. Their surface sanitiser is BSEN1276 approved meaning it’s super antibacterial up to catering hygiene standards.

Bio Ds packaging is 100% recyclable and some is even made from recycled bottles. We return all containers to Bio D for recycling. Sesi Refill takes things one step further and cleans and refills their containers which is why we love them - a completely circular brand!

Refilling home cleaning products is a super easy way to reduce your plastic use - just think of the amount of washing up bottles or laundry bottles you go through in a year! Have you started your own #refillrevolution yet?! Get in touch if you have any questions or doubt about switching to refilling!

We’ve all been to the supermarket and seen the sea of plastic when looking for dishwasher powder or tablets, if they don’t come in a plastic pouch they’re normally individually wrapped in plastic wrappers- madness!

This environmentally friendly dishwasher powder is based on biodegradable and non-hazardous ingredients, with no phosphates, being safe for septic tanks. More importantly it works- we have had lots of great feedback.

Completely single use plastic free the powder is delivered to us in these large tubs which is then returned to the supplier to be cleaned and refilled.

Simply bring along a container of your own to refill and know that both you and who you are buying from are avoiding plastic waste!

Each year the average UK household uses 480 plastic bottles. An easy way to reduce this number is to reuse and refill bottles you already have.

For those of you that don’t get on with shampoo and conditioner bars we offer liquid refills from Suma Wholefoods. We stock their Clear and Simple range which is a mild shampoo, non-fragranced, being kind and gentle to all hair types. Completely free from parabens and artificial colours. Made in the UK and completely cruelty free. If you like a fragrance we recommend adding your favourite essential oil and for those of you looking for a body wash we recommend giving the shampoo a go as they’re all made up of the same stuff!

For handwash lovers we have Bio D Sanitising Hand Wash which is a fast acting anti-bacterial fragrance free hand wash. Kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria whilst being gentle on skin. Made with sustainable naturally derived raw materials with no petrochemicals, phosphates, preservatives, enzymes or synthetic perfumes. Hypoallergenic and Vegan Society approved.

Bring along your current bottles to refill, you can even try a small amount to begin with as a tester. Have you made the switch and ditched single-use plastic bottles? Each one of these 5l containers can save up to around 20 single use smaller bottles of product.

About 96% of teabags are made with polypropylene- a synthetic resin - which is added during the sealing process - crazy right?!

In the van we’ve partnered with two Cornish brands that offer plastic free tea! West Country Tea Company have tea bags that are completely plastic free and compostable, we stock their every day tea blend that gives you a perfect brew any time of day! We also stock their loose leaf English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Rooibos and Peppermint.

We also stock lovely loose leaf herbal blends from The Cornish Artisan. So you can avoid plastic with your daily cuppa.

And as we’re working with local brands we pick up the tea in our own reusable storage containers so there’s absolutely no packaging used!

Have you had your morning coffee? We’ve recently started working with Olfactory Coffee to offer coffee in the van so you can avoid any single use packaging and buy direct from us using your own reusable container.

Offering both beans and ground we pick up the coffee in small batches to ensure freshness. Buying direct from Olfactory means we can buy the beans and put them straight into our own container avoiding any packaging and with the ground we reuse the bag you see here, so the coffee can be kept in a container that will ensure freshness but won’t end up in landfill.

As well as avoiding needless waste you can know that your coffee has been sourced responsibly with a focus on sustainability, transparency and taste. Olfactory focus on sustainable relationships with their farmers and green bean brokers. They take every care to ensure that every single bean that arrives at their roastery carries a contribution towards a better future for specialty coffee.

And don’t forget to reuse your coffee grounds at home- great for compost and also diy cleaning and beauty - take a look at our blog for inspiration.

Another super easy way to avoid single use packaging is to refill oils and vinegars - we offer UK cold pressed rapeseed oil, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, organic balsamic vinegar, organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar and an organic tamari (gluten free soy sauce alternative). Bring along a bottle and we can fill it up for you!

Our final top easy switch is to refill on your store cupboard essentials. We currently offer 84 different delicious dried food all package free. Simply bring along your containers or we have paper bags if you need. We do all the weighing so you can have a chat with us while we fill up your containers and avoid any mess or stress!

Buying this way not only means you avoid single use plastic packaging but you can also buy in the qtys you need, so hopefully less food waste too!

Our pets can have quite a carbon pawprint! Avoiding plastic based products is one way to make your pooch a little more sustainable.

Our dog poo bags are made from compostable, biodegradable corn starch. (Although that doesn't mean you can just leave them hanging in a tree, please still use a dog poo bin to dispose of).

We have dog treats available as a refill, avoiding plastic wrapped treats (we find it frustrating just how many are wrapped in plastic!). These also make use of usually wasted brewers yeast from beer brewing - so a double win!

And for your doggos grooming needs a plastic free shampoo bar - these last for ages, are super kind and gentle, leaving your doggo smelling fresh after that inevitable roll in fox poo!