What is Plastic Free July ?
Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages everyone to think about their disposable plastic consumption over the month of July. Every year The Plastic Free July campaign release a calendar of idea on how to reduce the disposable plastic stuff you use every day . The aim is to bring about awareness of all the disposable plastics we use and to think about reusable swaps. Here are 3 swaps we promote at Laminated Cotton Shop
1- Swap disposable ziplock bags for washable snack bags
Do you use plastic ziplock bags? consider swapping them out for reusable bags you can wash. While there are lots of options for reusable snack bags on the market we recommend looking for something easy to wash . That way you will find it easier to keep on high rotation. Fun Fact Laminated Cotton Shop snack bags are even dishwasher safe.
2- Swap disposable plastic shower caps for reusable ones
One source of plastic waste in the bathroom plastic shower caps that rips after a few uses. Normalise a shower cap being a reusable textile accessory. Swap disposable shower caps for good quality fabric caps you can use and wash over a long time. Just like a quality hat but for the bathroom. There are heaps of textile shower caps on the market. Aim for a cap that has natural fibres inside against your scalp like silk or cotton.
3- Swap disposable cling wrap for reusable food covers
If you use disposable cling wrap it can be hard to kick the habit. It can feel so easy to just use plastic wrap over bowls, plates , left overs and containers you can’t find a lid for. For an easy plastic free swap try using a reusable food cover every time you reach for the cling wrap. Once you get in the habit I promise it gets easier. Before you know it you won’t need to buy plastic wrap anymore.
Reusable food covers are available in all sorts of materials like silicon, coated polyester (PUL) , regular cotton and coated cotton . We recommend something easy to wash and waterproof. At Laminated cotton shop we’ve been making food covers from French coated cotton. This is cotton with a food safe acrylic coating on both sides so it’s waterproof, machine washable and suitable to pop in the fridge.
Wherever you are on your journey to replace disposable plastics it’s definitely worth following the Plastic Free July Campaign for more ideas about reducing plastic waste at home and making sustainable swaps.