Planet Over Plastic

My New Year's Resolution this year, which I made as a public declaration to family and the world on social media, was to "consciously never buy plastic when an alternative is available". I have created Planet Over Plastic as a way of documenting this journey and for sharing my discoveries in the hope that others can use these ideas to help reduce plastic use, choosing our Planet Over Plastic    - Polly Dudley-Clayden  

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Planet Over Plastic - choose cone over container

Day 11 - Choose cone over container

Keep ice-creams as a coned, treat item rather than buying ice cream tubs for home. Grab a cone on days out rather than asking for it in a little plastic tub with plastic spoon. #planetoverplastic

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Buy Organic Cotton Cosmetic Buds X100 from The Body Shop: These dual-purpose organic cotton cosmetic buds are perfect for all of your beauty needs: the flat, rounded end is ideal for applying make-up or creams, and the pointed end helps you correct make-up mistakes and smudge eyeliner with precision.

Day 12 - Alternative to plastic cotton buds

Plastic cotton buds are another single-use plastic item. However, you can purchase them with paper sticks rather than plastic at the Body Shop ensuring they will break down after use #paperoverplastic#planetoverplastic

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These simple Wilko Wooden Coat Hangers have a natural look. Coming in a pack of five, they combine a sturdy metal hook with a natural wood body. The wooden clothes hangers come complete with a connecting bar for trousers, and grooves for skirt loops. The classic plain wood hangers can be cleaned with a soft damp cloth.

DAY 10 - Alternative to Plastic Hangers

Due to their triangular shape hangers are really good at trapping our sea life. To avoid this and to go plastic-free choose recyclable options such as wood or metal, and remember to refuse to keep the hanger when purchasing new clothing items if it is plastic!

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Aromaco

Solid pit protection

DAY 9 - Alternative Deodorants

As someone who is regularly in the gym, a good deodorant is essential. Unfortunately, most deodorants fall victim to being sold in plastic bottles. Having tried and tested a few alternatives I'm pleased to report the below one from Lush both smells great (in fact the fragrance seems to last a lot longer than standard deodorant) and works well with your workout, I keep the main piece at home and cut off a small piece to take to the gym. Just keep in the paper wrapping with an elastic band for travel.

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DAY 8 - Alternative to Soap Dispenser = Soap

It sounds obvious but the majority of us now automatically purchase our soap out of a dispenser, of which the vast majority are plastic. Choose instead to purchase good old fashioned soap bars. Places such as Lush to a wide variety of wonderful soaps cut to the size you would like and wrapped in paper. Many wonderful ones are currently in their sale.

https://uk.lush.com/products/karma/karma-0

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Choose our Planet Over Plastic by giving up nail polish and remover

DAY 7 - Nail polish and Remover - Do we really need them?

Nail polish can be purchased in both glass and plastic bottles. However, the lids always seem to be plastic and nail varnish remover always comes in plastic bottles. This one is not a case of being able to find an alternative, instead it may be an item we give up, choosing our Planet Over Plastic.

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Crème de Menthe

Ice, ice, baby

DAY 6 - Alternative Mouthwash

Mouthwash is another classic product that always seems to come in a large plastic bottle, but fear not! Lush does a range of "Mouthwash Tabs". Simply add to water to use. Although this item does come in a small plastic bottle, that bottle is not only made from 100% recycled plastic it is designed to be refillable. So when empty, simple take back to your nearest Lush store for them to top it up. Travel size so can take them on the go with you, roughly 80 Tabs per bottle.

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Free Next Day Delivery on Prime Eligible Amazon Fashion Orders. Free 30-Days Returns.

DAY 5 - Alternative to Pocket Tissues

Ever noticed that boxes of tissues are packed in cardboard but packets of pocket tissues always come in layer after layer of plastic. To go plastic-free grab a handful of tissues from your tissue box to take with you when you go out. You can even get create and sew/knit your own tissue pouch. For a longer term solution consider switching to good old fashioned Hankies :)

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With medium BPA free bristles, this eco-friendly, Fair Trade toothbrush features a sustainable bamboo handle. The bamboo is heat treated to carbonise the...

DAY 4 - Alternative to Plastic Toothbrush

Discarded plastic toothbrushes are another major item that are ending up on landfill or in our oceans. Why not choose a bamboo one instead, which is eco-friendly and recyclable.

#bambootoothbrush #planetoverplastic

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Great prices on your favourite Home brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

DAY 3 - Brown Paper Bags for your fruit & veg:

Household food waste is still roughly a quarter of what we purchase. To help alleviate waste and reduce buying fruit in plastic bags choose loose fruit and veg so that you buy only what you need. To compliment this, consider buying packs of brown paper bags and taking a handful in your shopping bag with you to put you loose fruit in, these are reusable and recyclable. They can be purchased in many places, here is an example on Amazon:

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Buy Blue Striped Paper Straws 20 Pack from the Party Tableware range at Hobbycraft. Free UK Delivery over £20 and Free Returns.

DAY 2 - Alternative Straws

HAPPY PLASTIC-FREE 2018 EVERYONE!

Plastic straws are a real threat to our oceans and sea life. For children's parties consider choosing not to provide straws or buy paper biodegradable ones, example ones from Hobby Craft are shown below. For longer term use consider purchasing either bamboo or metal straws. 

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Finding the right size coffee cups for you

Keep cup is a great website for all your reusable coffee cup needs, whether you are a Grande coffee or Espresso drinker you will find a cup to suit you. I use the expresso sized 4oz cups for takeaway babyccinos for my girls or carrying around goats milk if soya isn’t available.