Simple Swaps For Single-use Plastics

3 minute read

Sustainable living is here to stay, and I want to help. By now, most of us are familiar with plastic-free alternatives to day-to-day products – think reusable bags, bottles, straws and coffee cups. But what else can we swap out for a sustainable alternative? This week I wanted to highlight simple ways of reducing your consumption of single-use plastics. Nothing out of this world, nothing too ‘out there’, just real-life, easy tips that will help the planet, and potentially, save you a few quid too. So here’s five easy plastic-free swaps.

The good aul soap bar

We have never washed our hands so much; that’s a fact. But have you ever thought about the number of plastic bottles in your home which could be replaced by a humble bar of soap? If you are looking for a plastic-free replacement for both your handwash and shower gel, opt for a soap bar. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to contribute to a better planet.

The good news is that there are some fabulous independent Irish soap makers out there, creating sustainable soaps that are good for you and good for the planet.

Have fun trying them out!

Beeswax wraps

Clingfilm is a soft plastic of extremely low commercial value, which can't be sorted at a recycling facility. It will probably end up in your general waste bin, which means sitting in landfill for many, many years, or being incinerated. Neither one of these options is good for our planet.

Instead use a plate to cover bowls of leftovers to keep them fresh, or if you want to add to your zero waste supplies, have a look at beeswax (or soy wax) wraps. You can make your own or buy some jazzy ones. These self-adhesive, malleable sheets work like wrapping paper and come in a range of sizes. They will last for approximately 10 to 12 months and once you are done with them, you can either rewax them or compost them.

Natural deodorant

Conventional deodorants tend to come encased in plastic, which is not easily recyclable. As well as that, some traditional brands use questionable ingredients and strong, laboratory-made fragrances… a firm no-no for me. An easy switch is a plastic-free, organic deodorant push-up tube or bar. Again, there are fantastic options available. Push-up tubes are made from cardboard and are completely compostable.

If you are keen to try something a bit different, grab a refillable tin of Lemongrass & Patchouli deodorant cream at the reuzi pop-up in Brown Thomas, Dundrum.

A solid shampoo bar

The concept of a soap bar isn’t new, but with advanced formulas using moisturising ingredients specifically designed for different hair textures and needs, it’s an alternative that’s practical, earth-friendly and doesn’t compromise on the good stuff your curls need to thrive.

As the name suggests, a shampoo bar is a solid form of traditional hair cleanser. Shampoo bars usually don’t contain the same detergents found in many liquid shampoos, which can strip hair of its natural oils. Instead, these are made of oils, butters, conditioners and gentle cleansers, which are solidified and packed into a bar form.

Most shampoo bars offer the same rich lather you’d get from a bottled shampoo, but without the harsh chemicals that can lead to dry hair and breakage over time.

You will not only cut down on plastic consumption, but you’ll also contribute to less water wastage – even though you’ll still need a decent amount of water to soap up, scrub, and then rinse the shampoo out of your hair, the bar itself isn’t formulated with the same amount of water required to give its liquid counterpart its consistency. From the creation stage, shampoo bars are instantly better for the planet!

Lunchtime single-use plastics

If you have young children of a certain age, you might find yourself with endless empty pouches of puréed food hitting the bin each day, or worse, Ziploc bags coming home in their school bags. Every single day. Look out for reusable replacements. These can be washed in your dishwasher, which is super-handy. Another good tip is to ditch the plastic juice bag or carton and swap for a reusable stainless steel bottle.

There is no one single action that will save the planet overnight, but your everyday smaller actions can add up to a much more sustainable lifestyle.