We all know the detrimental impact that single-use plastic is having on our environment, and what the future holds if we continue to discard single-use plastic at the same rate. But many of us are probably guilty of not quite making the swap to reusable products. But with so many options to choose from today, cutting down on plastic has never been easier. Here are some of our favourites that can easily be swapped out and added to your plastic-free kit.
The ultimate plastic-free swaps for 2020
This year is all about reducing your reliance on single-use plastic, and these essentials make it that much easier!
1. Klean Kanteen 592ml Insulated Reflect Bottle, £36.95, kleankanteen.co.uk
Reusable water bottles have never been so popular, so if you’re after a top-notch version, look no further than Klean Kanteen. The Insulated Reflect Bottle uses thermal technology to keep drinks ice-cold for an amazing 40 hours, so whether you’re using it for the commute or longer trips, you’re sure to be refreshed! The bottle is made using only three materials: sustainably-harvested bamboo, stainless steel, and food-grade silicone, so it’s the perfect swap for pesky single-use plastic water bottles.
2. Cheeky Panda Plastic Free Toilet Roll Pack of 4, £2.99, thecheekypanda.co.uk
Want an easy bathroom swap that can do a world of good? Ditch the shop-bought loo rolls for a sustainable alternative, with Cheeky Panda’s 100% bamboo toilet rolls. This vegan and super-soft loo roll proves that one everyday change can really add up in the sustainability stakes, without compromising on quality. You can subscribe and save on the brand’s website, too, so you never have to run out of toilet rolls again!
3. Rowen Stillwater Cotton Unsponges, £7.99 for pack of two, peacewiththewild.co.uk
Those ever-popular yellow kitchen sponges may be good at cleaning dirty dishes, but they’re quite harmful for the environment. Made from petroleum, they’re not biodegradable, shed microplastic into the water, and only last a few weeks. Luckily, it’s easy to find alternatives, like these Cotton Unsponges. These biodegradable, plastic-free alternatives are made from 100% cotton, plus they’re washable, so you can continue to use them again and again!
4. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap, £5.35, shop.drbronner.co.uk
We love a sudsy bar of soap here at Veggie HQ, and the smooth lather from Dr Bronner’s Pure-Castile Bar soaps is particularly luxurious! These sweet-smelling, versatile little soaps are made using certified fair trade ingredients and organic hemp oil, helping to keep your skin and hair deeply-hydrated. Plus, the bars are biodegradable and vegan, and they come in a 100% post-consumer-recycled wrapper. We can’t wait to get our hands on one after the other!
5. Georganics Natural Toothpaste, from £6.90, georganics.com
Our desire to have pearly white teeth is taking its toll on the environment: commercial toothpaste tubes are typically made of non-recyclable materials that will take around 450 years to decompose. That’s why we love the Georganics range of toothpaste, which comes in a reusable glass jar. The vegan, fluoride-, SLS- and glycerin-free formula is made from natural coconut oil and is blended with essential oils for different flavours, including Spearmint, Peppermint and Orange.
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