Around 8 million tons of plastic leaks into the ocean every year. 

In Australia, 60-80% of landfill consists of the Big 4 plastic offenders: plastic straws, plastic bags, coffee cups and plastic water bottles. 

It’s statistics like these that emphasise how important it is to reduce the amount of disposable plastic items we use on a daily basis. Throughout Plastic Free July, there’s a good chance that most of us are looking at cutting out the Big 4. But, in cutting out the Big 4 and reducing your plastic waste, how can you make your Plastic Free July journey as breezy as possible whilst sticking by your eco-friendly values? Luckily, the Big 4 are the easiest to replace. 

PLASTIC STRAWS 

Stainless Steel Straws 

Unlike some soft plastics that can be recycled, plastic straws cannot. And even when plastic straws do end up in landfill, they break down over hundreds of years into smaller pieces called microplastics (which is another story in itself about harming marine life from phytoplankton through to the biggest whale). There are many earth-friendly alternatives to plastic straws, including Stainless Steel Straws. They are extremely durable, rust-proof, easy to clean, economically viable and the perfect addition to your kitchen’s silverware. Best of all, these straws can be reused over and over, and might last you the rest of your life if proper care is taken! 

Glass Straws 

We’ve previously mentioned the effects of using plastic straws, so let’s jump into talking about another earth-friendly straw alternative – Glass Straws! Not only bringing style and elegance to your dining table, these straws are also heat resistant making them ideal for both hot and cold drinks. One of the main perks is that they’re easy to clean as they’re transparent, so you can see how clean it is on the inside. But, take extra care when using around kids as these visually appealing straws are breakable! 

PLASTIC BAGS 

Eco Warrior Tote Bag 

 The average plastic bag can take 15-1000 years to break down as they are not biodegradable, and if we want to get technical, the cost to recycle a plastic bags outweighs its value so many bags live on indefinitely in landfills or float around in oceans. Reduce your environmental impact and use reusable shopping bags made of biodegradable and sustainable materials. Make yourself go back for your reusable bags, rather than buying single use plastic bags. Then, when you’ve finished grocery shopping and have unpacked your items, place your reusable bags by the door so you can see them next time you head out. 

Organic Produce Bags 

Plastic produce bags provide a convenient and effective way of protecting fresh produce from being introduced to bacteria that may live on shopping trolleys, we get it. But this comes at a cost of polluting the Earth! Organic Produce Bags are your earth-friendly alternative to supermarket-provided produce bags. Made from organic cotton which means they are biodegradable, they also come in large sizes to hold your bulkier items (e.g. apples, sweet potatoes). Best of all, they feature drawstring closures so that all items stay where they’re supposed to be! 

Organic and Zippable Food Bags 

Plastic zip-lock bags have become a staple in many households. But, the thought of throwing a zip-lock bag in the trash after just one use sends shivers down our spine! Designed to replace the need for single use plastic bags, Organic Cotton Food Bags are lined with a food-derived inner lining to keep food fresher for longer, reusable, machine washable, biodegradable and feature an easy-to-use zip to open and close. 

PLASTIC-LINED COFFEE CUPS 

Huskee Cup 

Paper coffee cups can be deceiving as many people are unaware the cups are actually lined with plastic! Not to mention the 100% plastic lid. Eek! Invest in a reusable coffee cup made from raw material. The Huskee Cup is as sophisticated as it is sustainable, it’s made from waste coffee husk – a by-product of coffee production! As it’s made from this incredible material, it also offers some amazing properties. Its unique thermal properties will keep your coffee hotter for longer, it has a grippable form which also protects your hands from the heat of your drink, and is super durable as it does not chip or crack easily. 

PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES 

Joco Flask 

How many plastic bottles have you used and thrown away in your lifetime? It’s estimated that 370 million bottles go to waste every year. Plastic bottles contribute to an enormous amount of waste ending up in landfill which can take up to 1000 years to break down – that really hurts us to think about! Invest in reusable water bottle made of sustainable and recyclable materials. The JOCO Drinking Flask is made from durable borosilicate glass featuring a non-slip, silicone sleeve for a refined drinking experience. Easy to clean, dishwasher safe, minimalist design and comes with a naturally antibacterial olive wood lid. We couldn’t think of a better earth-friendly and reusable water bottle alternative.