10 Simple Swaps for a Successful Plastic Free July

Written by Tara McKenna, Founder of The Zero Waste Collective

*some of the brands noted below are paid partnerships (the ones with the asterisk)

It’s Plastic Free July! Have you heard of this movement? It’s all about giving up single-use plastics for the month of July! If PFJ is new to you, then definitely read this blog post: Are you Ready for Plastic Free July? This Movement has gone Global, and its Founder Shares the Story

If the thought of giving up all single-use plastics for the month of July sounds overwhelming to you, let’s keep it simple with a few easy swaps to make it a successful month for July and beyond!

1. Bar Soap instead of Bottled

• Check out the ZWC x The Sage Soap Company Eucalyptus Clay soap to replace your facial soap, body wash and hand soap! Use the discount code ZWC15 for 15% off!*

2. Reusable Silicone Bags instead of Disposable Plastic Baggies

• Check out Stasher bags and Zip Top Containers!

3. Cotton Bowl Covers (waxed or unwaxed) instead of Plastic Wraps

• Check out these ZWC x Your Green Kitchen cotton bowl covers!*

4. Swedish Sponge Cloths instead of Plastic Sponges

• Check out these ZWC x Ten and Co. Swedish Sponge Cloths!*

5. Safety Razor instead of Disposable Plastic Razors

• Try Albatross Designs safety razors, and use the discount code ZWC10 for 10% off!*

6. Reusable Pads and Menstrual Cup instead of Disposable Pads

• Check out reusable pads from Oko Creations, use the discount code zero.waste.pads for 20% off!*

• Check out menstrual cups from OrganiCup or DivaCup, and many more!

7. Choose Reusable Bags instead of Plastic Disposable Bags

• Check out these beautiful reusable bags from Dans le Sac

8. Make Coffee at Home instead of Grabbing Takeout

• Use your reusable travel mugs, like these from Global WAKECup!

• While you’re at it, swap other disposables for reusables with your own zero waste kit! Things you may want to include in your kit:

• Utensils

• Water bottle

• Coffee cup

• Bag(s)

• Napkin

• Handkerchief

• Straw

9. Find a Local Refillery to Fill up on Liquid Products instead of Bottled

• Find out if you have a zero waste shop in your neighbourhood!

• Check out Zero Waste Home’s Bulk Finder App too!

10. Deodorant in Cardboard instead of Plastic

• Check out brands like Meow Meow Tweet and No Tox Life!

By no means do you have to buy anything new to participate in Plastic Free July! The best place to start is with what you have, and if you’re ready, make some long-lasting investments like some of the options outlined above!

Ultimately it’s about reducing single use plastics where possible for the month of July. If you can make it the whole month, then you may just have developed new habits to take with you beyond July!

Be sure to register at Plastic Free July