4 Products That Are Helping Me to Reduce My Plastic Waste
Single-use plastic is the absolute worst for our planet and especially our ocean wildlife.
And while I may not be perfect (who actually is, apart from those hard-core zero-wasters that is – respect!), it’s hard not to be hyper-aware of your plastic use and waste when you live somewhere like Cornwall. Living here means that the ocean is naturally close to your heart and therefore you of course want to protect it as best you can!
Below are some of my favourite products I’ve been using recently to help cut down on my single-use plastic waste…
1. Bamboo toothbrushes from Bahasa*
This new UK-based company was created when founder, Ben, was shocked by the amount of plastic he saw on a surf trip to Bali. They have developed a beautiful bamboo toothbrush made from sustainably sourced Chinese bamboo and recyclable bristles, and the best bit is the packaging is totally plastic free too!
I’ve been struggling to find a company who make brushes like these who a) are actually based in the UK, and b) who have put some thought into waste-free packaging as well. I also love that the company donate 1% of their profits to Surfers Against Sewage (of whom I am a member!).
The brushes themselves are really nice and weighty to hold, and each one in a pack has been engraved with a unique motif so that you can tell whose is whose at the bathroom sink – a really nice touch.
2. Water canteen
I have been religiously carrying this water bottle around with me since my dad gave it to me for Christmas. It’s stylish and minimal, keeps my water cool and stops me from buying bottled water when I’m out an about. If I’m thirsty I either find a bathroom with drinking water or walk into a bar/cafe and ask them to fill it for me (this is of course less awkward when you’re buying something at the same time but I’d have no problem being cheeky and asking places anyway – what’s the worst they can do?).
I can’t find a link to this exact one but below are some more awesome designs:
3. Bamboo cutlery set with straw
I picked up this cute little set on Amazon for around £10* honestly because I feel so guilty getting plastic cutlery if I’m picking up a lunch on the go. I’ve only done it a couple of times recently but enough was enough – with this it comes in a cute little roll-up that I can throw in my handbag, and always be prepared for on-the-go eating!
It also come with a bamboo straw (and cleaner) inside, which is amazing as I’ve been looking for an alternative to having plastic straws for a while. I don’t fancy the steel ones because of the feel against my teeth so this is a great option!
4. A bag of bags for groceries
I love this adorable handmade ‘zero waste shopping kit’ from Etsy! The little zip pouch holds several fabric grocery bags as well as a couple of lace drawstring bags for things like vegetables inside. It’s a great way to keep your reusable shopping bags tidy and contained, and having it in your handbag means you won’t be tempted to grab any single-use plastic ones either.
Are there any other products you use and would recommend for cutting down on plastic? Share below!
* I was kindly sent the set of toothbrushes from Bahasa, and there are also some affiliate links used for the other products. But I do sincerely use all these myself and love them!
I’ve been looking at bamboo toothbrushes – do you think the bristles are hard enough as a lot of reviews say they’re too soft to really get your teeth clean. Also, are the bristles themselves also compostable with the toothbrush handle or can you pull them out with pliers and recycle them? Alice xxx
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Brilliant read!!
I have changed loads recently including buying shower, shampoo and conditioner bars. I have a butter dish, water bottle, hot drinks cup and cheeky wipes (terry towel) to replace baby wipes. I have also purchased bamboo soap dishes and made a massive effort to reuse the bags I already had and purchased bamboo bags for shopping. I’ve just switched to getting milk from the milkman in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles from Tesco!
I’m really proud of the changes I have made
I love this adorable handmade ‘zero waste shopping kit’ from Etsy! The little zip pouch holds several fabric grocery bags as well as a couple of lace drawstring bags for things like vegetables inside. It’s a great way to keep your reusable shopping bags tidy and contained, and having it in your handbag means you won’t be tempted to grab any single-use plastic ones either.
And while I may not be perfect (who actually is, apart from those hard-core zero-wasters that is – respect!), it’s hard not to be hyper-aware of your plastic use and waste when you live somewhere like Cornwall. Living here means that the ocean is naturally close to your heart and therefore you of course want to protect it as best you can!
Several fabric grocery bags and a couple of lace drawstring bags for items like veggies are stored within the small zip pouch. Keeping it in your handbag reduces the temptation to reach for single-use plastic shopping bags, and it’s a fantastic way to keep your reusable bags organized and confined.
Several fabric grocery bags and a couple of lace drawstring bags for items like veggies are stored within the small zip pouch. Keeping it in your handbag reduces the temptation to reach for single-use plastic shopping bags, and it’s a fantastic way to keep your reusable bags organized and confined.
Love these practical ideas! The bamboo toothbrush and reusable cutlery set are definitely game changers for reducing plastic waste. Thanks for sharing!
This piece provides a fresh and compelling take on the subject. It took me a little while to read all of the comments, but I found the article to be quite intriguing. pips nyt
I’ve been using bamboo toothbrushes for a year now and love the Bahasa ones!
Their packaging is truly plastic-free.
The water canteen tip is great too – I always carry one to avoid bottled water.
I liked the mention of Bahasa bamboo toothbrushes, especially the plastic-free packaging and the donation to Surfers Against Sewage.
The water canteen idea is also practical for cutting down on bottled water while living near the coast.
Totally agree, small swaps make such a big difference for our oceans! I’ve been trying to stay mindful about waste lately, and when I’m not organizing my eco-kit, I love relaxing with a fun word puzzle to keep my brain sharp during downtime. Thanks for sharing these great tips!