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We are right in the midst of plastic free July and while there have been a few bloopers along the way (watch our IGTV episode to see where we slipped up!) for the most part we’ve been loving the challenge, noticing how much plastic we are still using even though we never use the top 4, and learning so much from our amazing community along the way.
Last month we did a giveaway with Seed + Sprout, and you all sent in your tips and tricks! They were so good and we’ve been pulling out this list all the time, so we wanted to share them with you all. We hope you’re embracing this mindset in your life in some way, and if you do decide to go plastic free (even just in one area, like your kitchen!) then we hope this bring a little inspiration along the way.
“always have snacks on hand so you’re not tempted to buy plastic wrapped snacks” @liv_mcewen1
“taking your own containers when you go out for foods so you can pack up your left overs” @soph_angus
“carrying two metal straws so that you can loan one to a friend AND use them as chopsticks as well” @zoe_lou._
“Ditch plastic water bottles and use a water bottle with a built in filter! You can fill it with tap and it will taste like bottled” @jasminabeana
“Bringing my lunch to work in reusable containers” @_remlane
“making lunch snacks like Muesli bars instead of buying individually wrapped ones” @seek.see.love.do “Make your own tooth paste, out of coconut powder or bicarbonate” @jules_wineco “Made a little kit for my car with stainless steel straws, cutlery, cup, bowl and plate. Perfect picnic go-to or for takeaway nights!” @fierykatesofhell “Beeswax wraps (to use instead of) instead of glad wrap” @kiannlou 
“Don’t use plastic plates at parties but use standard plates, or something biodegradable” and to “Grow herbs to avoid buying “fresh” in plastic containers” @natti.eve “Use cloth napkins and tea towels instead of paper products. Have a stash specifically for cleaning or wiping up spills. Or you can use ripped up old tee shirts to clean up big messes” and “Use mason jars to freeze things in the freezer instead of plastic containers” @msmillyvixen 
“Avoid shopping at supermarkets where most items are covered in plastic – stick to markets and bulk food shops when possible + bring your own jars and containers!!” @stellatanner “Bars of soap, shampoo, and conditioner” “Buy cooking oil in glass bottles, not plastic” @natti.eve Buy “Cardboard milk, or make your own nut mylk, no plastic packaging” @lozzasaur “Buy boxes instead of bottles. Most of the time, stuff like laundry detergent come in cardboard which is more easily recycled than plastic” @_lana_g__ “…I buy my produce as local as possible… less food miles, less packaging. Local farmers markets” @iamtegansimmonds “buy foods like; cereal, nuts, flour, seeds, pasta, oats etc from bulk bins. By buying from these types of shops you are using less packaging by using glass jars and reusable containers to collect the food in.” @liv_page7 “Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers market they can refill it for you!” @_lana_g__ “…self packaged fruit for lunchboxes ~ like bananas, apples, kiwi fruit and pears” @mamamiabodhi 
“Every time I use plastic I put a gold coin in a jar – sort if like a swear jar! It makes me more conscious about my usage!” @sheridannew “always keep some reusable bags in your car!” @jazmyles “Challenge yourself to pick up 5 pieces of rubbish every time you visit the beach” @amyaleckson “Not only reducing plastic use with reusable bags but using the recycling app to make sure I know what can be recycled, when and where” @lily.geyle {download Recycle coach on the app store!} “ALWAYS BEING MINDFUL. If there is a will there’s a way! From bringing your own bag to not using beauty products with microbeads, we are in a great generation where there are so many more eco friendly options…and it’s not hard. Let’s save this world together” @livmartin_