With lockdown and curfews at maximum speed, this year is anything but smooth sailing and for many of us, thinking about just surviving it all seems like about the best we can do. During this pandemic , let’s not label our situation as bad, as for that, it doesn’t allow for beautiful things to grow. There’s some joy with that we are all going through as a collective which is caring for yourself, the planet and the community.
If there’s ever a time to get started, it’s always now! Whether it’s Plastic Free July or not, I want to encourage you to be part of a global movement to reduce single-use plastic waste. Personally for me, it’s a on-going journey of being self aware and knowledgable on the small changes I can make every day to help for a brighter future.
Plastic is convienent which is why it’s wrapped up and packaged in absolutely everything. This makes planning an essential habit to hone. For example, things such as remembering to bring a keep cup for your morning coffees or a tote bag when you do your grocery shop or reusing/washing beeswax wraps instead of single use foil.
In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite brands I’ve discovered that are all leading conscious steps to protect our natural environment and you’ll feel hella good as a consumer knowing your money is going to the right places!
Team Timbuktu – Sustainable Activewear
The movement towards sustainable fashion has been making waves and I think a common factor we tend to forget when thinking about how we can reduce out plastic consumption is clothing. Fashion accounts for a big portion of the plastic use in the world which isn’t something we should forget! Team Timbuktu makes functional raincoats from recycled bottles and cute beanies made from recycled yarn – how cool?! Since moving to New Zealand, I have been pretty much hiking and living in my gear and knowing that what I’m wearing is made from recycled plastics makes it all the more special to me. It’s amazing to see what innovative brands are doing out there to make this world a better place!
Pottery for the Planet – Eco-friendly Cups and Lunchboxes
If you’re a coffee or beverage drinker that loves going out for a warm cuppa, if you haven’t made the switch to bringing your own keep cup, NOW is definitely the time to do so! How big of a waste is using one single use coffee cup… now think about it on massive scale if millions of people use only single use coffee cups. So. Much. Plastic.
I have been loving my takeaway cup by Pottery for the Planet that makes handmade ceramic coffee cups, some are even solar-fired! These beautiful hand crafts are such a pleasure to look at (so gorgeous) and a real joy to drink out of when I’m at a coffee shop knowing I’ve reduced my use of plastic.
Panna Soaps – Plastic Free Soaps
Previously I have grabbed for the plastic bottled liquid soaps which you’d find commonly on the store shelves. Think about how much plastic goes straight into the ocean or dump from the multiple bottles you’d use in even just one year! Switching to bar soaps is an easy transition which amazing brands such as Panna Soaps creates luxury scents that are vegan friendly, plastic-free and cruelty free.
