15 Easy Plastic-Free Swaps To Make In 2021

15 EASY PLASTIC-FREE SWAPS TO MAKE IN 2021

Happy New Year! This was definitely a different way of celebrating as the clock struck 12, turning 2020 into 2021, but we are super positive about what this year will bring. We want to celebrate kicking off this year with you so we have a promotion running through the whole of January! We hope that this will help to kickstart your plastic-free New Years’ resolutions. For 15% off of your order, use the Promo Code NewYear2021 at checkout.

1. TOOTHPASTE TABS

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Such an easy swap and an impactful one too. Toothpaste tubes cannot be recycled so they are guaranteed to end up in our landfills or even in the ocean. Not to mention all of the harmful chemicals that you will find in your average toothpaste. Toothpaste tabs are made out of natural but powerful ingredients to ensure healthy teeth and gums and they even come in a paper bag. Just chew on a tablet then start brushing with a wet toothbrush and enjoy a minty-fresh mouth.

2. MATERIAL SHOPPING BAGS

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Stash a few material shopping bags in your handbag so that you never need to grab a plastic bag for your groceries again. It is also super handy to carry fruit and vegetable bags so that you can buy loose veggies without plastic packaging.

3. BEESWAX/ VEGAN WAX WRAPS

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Ditch the cling wrap and rather get a reusable beeswax or vegan wax wrap. There are different sizes available so you can cover anything from a large loaf of bread, to a piece of cheese, to any fruit or vegetable. You simply use the warmth of your hands to stick it in place and you can even get a refresher block so that you can revive your wrap when it gets tired.

4. NATURAL DEODORANT

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Normal deodorants often contain parabens and aluminum, as well as comes in a plastic container.  Natural deodorants do not contain any harmful ingredients and come in either a reusable tin or a paper tube. They moisturise your skin with their natural ingredients and naturally neutralizes odors.

5. COCONUT DISH BRUSH

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The sponges that we normally use to wash our dishes are actually plastic and release microplastics into the water as we wash. Rather use a coconut scourer that is made out of coconuts husks (the outside hair of the coconut) and works like a charm. I was a bit wary of this one at first because I was scared that it would scratch my glasses and nonstick pans but they don’t! They are also naturally antibacterial and last a lot longer than plastic sponges too.

6. DISHWASH BAR

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Washing your dishes is so much better when you know what your soap is good for the environment. To use, you just need to rub your coconut scourer (or sponge) on the bar then wash your dishes as normal until sparkling clean.

7. BAMBOO EARBUDS

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Plastic earbuds are so last year, try out bamboo earbuds. They are exactly the same thing but have a bamboo stick instead of a plastic one and are way better for the planet.

8. LOOSE TEA LEAVES

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Did you know that most teabags contain plastic? And in the hot water, these plastics leech chemicals into your tea? The best way to have your tea is to strain the tea leaves yourself with a metal tea strainer. We have an awesome selection of loose tea leaves from 9Teas that you can strain and they were founded right here in Amsterdam.

9. SOLID LOTION BAR

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Oh yeah, you can get a lotion in the form of a bar! You can replace your normal body lotion with this bar and to apply, simply smear it over your damp skin. This bar from Zero Waste Path is palm oil free too and made with ingredients that will nourish and moisterise your skin.

10. REUSABLE FACIAL COTTON ROUNDS

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Say bye-bye to the cotton rounds that you use once and throw away. These reusable cotton rounds are soft and feel so nice on sensitive skin. When you’ve used it enough (they’re quite big so you can easily use it a few times in different sections) you can throw it in the wash and then they’re ready to use again.

11. BATHROOM CLEANER BAR

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Clean your bathroom easily with a great-smelling bathroom cleaner bar. You will just need to rub a wet cloth on the bar then wipe the desired area. The natural ingredients will disinfect your bathroom and leave it smelling amazing.

12. BIODEGRADABLE COFFEE CAPSULES

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The Nespresso machine has obviously been a game-changer to the coffee world, however, the aluminum Nespresso pods are a huge problem to the environment. A great way to enjoy your pod coffee machine as well as look after the planet is to get compostable pods. You can ground up any coffee you like, fill them up and snap on the lid then when you are done, you can throw the coffee grounds and the pod straight into the compost bin.

13. NATURAL WASHING POWDER

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Normal washing powder/ liquid usually has harmful chemicals that drain back into our planet. Try using a natural washing powder that will clean your clothes without the harmful chemicals. You can use it to handwash or just throw a scoop straight into the drum of the washing machine and have your clothes come out cleaning and smelling of essential oils.

14. BAMBOO COMB

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Tame your mane with a bamboo comb. Style your beautiful locks with a bamboo comb that detangles your hair and glides through easily leaving it shiny and healthy.

15. SHAMPOO BAR

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This is such an easy swap to make and shampoo bars are really simple to use. You just need to rub the bar against your scalp and allow the bubbles to foam up and cleanse your hair. It may take a few tries to find a shampoo bar that your hair loves but once you find it, it is so worth it!

We hope that you have found some inspiration to make some easy New Year’s swaps. Wishing you an incredible year ahead and please do comment to tell us what New Year’s resolutions you have for 2021.