Have you ever stopped and thought about how much plastic you’re using in your home? It’s Plastic-Free July – so why not make a conscious change this month to switch to some single-use plastics alternatives?

Single-use plastics are huge environmental polluters. So much so, that states across Australia are making moves to ban them completely. Coles has already started to remove single-use plastics from its shelves.

You can do the same in your home. And before you get overwhelmed – we know it’s hard to know where to start - it’s actually much easier than you think. We promise! 

Here’s a quick overview of single-use plastics (so you know what to look out for and avoid!) and 10 very easy, and very effortless single-use plastics swaps that you can do right now. You’ll break the habit of buying and using single-use plastics in no time. Why not make a pledge to switch one item a week?

What are single-use plastics?

 Single-use plastics are plastic products that aren’t intended to be kept and reused but thrown away after use. They’re tough and durable. And that’s the problem - they don’t degrade. Oceans are full of single-use plastics which wash up on beaches all around the world. And whilst they’re convenient, it’s the planet, wildlife, and marine life that are paying the ultimate price.

Governments and manufacturers around the world are finally switching onto the problem and are slowly taking action – but we need to make the switch too and end our reliance as consumers on these plastic polluters.

 Examples of single-use plastics

 Single-use plastics are products like:

• Plastic drinks bottles and bottle caps
• Plastic dinnerware - plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery
• Food wrapping like cling film
• Food packaging
• Plastic shopping bags
• Plastic disposable coffee cup lids
• Take-away containers
• Plastic straws and stirrers
• Cotton buds

 Take a look in your kitchen and bathroom cupboards today – we bet you’ll find many of these!

10 easy swaps to single-use plastics alternatives

 OK, so now you know some of the problem plastic products, what can you do about them? The good news is that there are fantastic single-use plastics alternatives out there. As the plastic-free movement has grown, so has the innovation. And they don’t cost the earth either!

 Here are our top 10 single-use plastic swaps that are so simple to do, you’ll wish you’d done it sooner. And no need to trawl the shops to find these green goodies - just click ‘add to cart’ and we’ll send them straight to your door, with free delivery if you spend over $50! Save the environment and save your time, too!

 Switch from:

 Plastic straws to metal straws

If you absolutely must use a straw (and yes, we know kids – even big kids! - love them), you don’t need a plastic one. These metal ones are the endless and elegant sipping solution for all ages and come with a handy brush for cleaning!

Bare & Co Reusable Rainbow Straws with Bonus Cleaner $16.95

 Plastic shopping bags to cotton totes

Hands up who has a pile of plastic shopping bags in their boot, that only gets bigger? We know we can all be forgetful, but you won’t forget to take these pretty and practical shopping totes! Style in the aisle!

Ever Eco Cotton Net Tote Bag $12.95

Apple Green Duck Calico Cat Tote, $7.50

 Cling film to beeswax wraps

Beeswax wraps are the perfect swap for plastic food wrap – and they make food look beautiful. It’s just like gift wrapping your lunch and your leftovers!

Try this starter pack: Bee Green Wraps 4-pack $29.90

Plastic packaging to produce bags

Ditch the flimsy plastic bags and change to this alternative for your loose produce: Ever Eco Produce Bags, $19.95. Just rinse and reuse every time you shop! Our customers say their fruit and veggies last longer – win-win!

Plastic knives and forks to wooden cutlery

Plastic cutlery is a huge no-no. Use your own from home! Or, invest in one of these snazzy sets: Bare & Co Reusable Bamboo Cutlery Set, $8.95

Plastic sandwich bags to reusable sandwich pouches

No need to store your lunch in a disposable plastic bag! Use one of these instead! This clever carrier is the ideal on-the-go sandwich solution and it’s microwave safe, too. So many uses! Stasher Plastic-Free Sandwich Bag $21.95

Plastic water bottle to stainless steel drinks bottle

A keep-clean sports spout and the fact that it can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours are just some of the reasons why we love this Cheeki bottle! You’ll never buy a disposable bottle of water again. Just refill this and for a cool and stylish refresh!

Cheeki Insulated Active Bottle, 600ml $38.95

 Disposable coffee cups to keep cup

Enjoy a coffee? Then enjoy it plastic and pollution-free as well with this Sea Shepherd KeepCup. Not only are you helping to keep the oceans free of plastic coffee cup lids, but you’re also supporting Sea Shepherd as 15% of all Keepcup sales go straight to the ocean conservation charity. Take it along to your fave café and coffee outlet and make a statement.

Sea Shepherd Keepcup, $30

Juice cup to stainless steel tumbler

Milkshakes, smoothies, slushies, and juices are super cool in this insulated tumbler that has its own metal straw. It keeps your beverage cold for up to 6 hours! And there’s no plastic in sight. What’s not to love?

Cheeki Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw, 500ml $28.95

 Plastic cotton buds to bamboo or reusable buds

Plastic cotton buds wreak havoc on sea creatures as they’re small enough to be ingested. They cause so much damage to marine life that England banned them last year. If you’re using these tiny tools for beauty and hygiene, swap to biodegradable bamboo or reusable alternatives instead.

Go Bamboo Bamboo Tip Cotton Buds 200-pack $8.95

IoCO Reusable Beauty Buds 4-pack $16.95

Discover more single-use plastics alternatives and plastic-free living products at The Well Store

 Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to switch to single-use plastics alternatives, why not go a step further and go even more plastic-free? Take a look at some of our top sellers here. And if you have any questions about any of these amazing, earth-friendly products, get in touch. Email mariana@thewellstore.com.au or contact us here!

Thank you for making a change!