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The war on plastic and pollutant products is more omnipresent than ever. In supermarkets up and down the country, plastic-free packaging and paper shopping bags are becoming commonplace, with two-thirds of us actively hunting out recyclable packaging.
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Even retailers such as McDonald’s have pledged to remove plastic toys from their happy meals beginning 2021 after a successful petition by two young British activists.
However, despite many of us wanting to shop sustainably, a Genomatica survey in 2019 revealed that around 56% of us don’t know how. Some shoppers attested to not knowing what exactly the goods contained, and others felt they were unsure as to how to find more information.
One of our key values at the Goodness Project is our dedication to being conscious shoppers, whether that’s in food, beauty, or home products and so we’re going to give you a quick run down (with examples!) as to how to make planet friendly purchases.
View our range of plastic free and eco-friendly gifts
Before we begin it’s important to establish exactly what we mean. Waste free products, or zero waste products, are items that are designed to be reusable, therefore preventing any waste being sent to landfills.
Often, waste free products are made from recyclable materials. This means if a product reaches its maximum lifecycle, it can just be recycled - restarting it’s journey all over again without ever adding to landfill! Neat, right?
There are heaps of recyclable products available, some of which we’ll list below. However some quick examples are:
This is the part most of us get stuck on. We believe there is a rigid set of life-altering guidelines that we must follow, and things we must look out for. Instead, shopping sustainably couldn’t be easier.
We’ll list how to identify sustainability in products in our next section, but to start with here’s how to shop sustainably, including on a budget.
As well as these containers, reuse glass food jars and existing glass or plastic containers as opposed to buying new ones. Even if they’re plastic, keeping old containers in a hygienic state to get as much life as possible from them still keeps them out of landfill.
For laundry, try organic soapnut shells. They’re a natural detergent, will still make your laundry fresh and clean and soapnuts mildness ensure colours are kept bright, which maintains the fabric structure of your clothes for longer periods!
We promised examples, so here are some products that clearly display their sustainability and eco-friendly attributes from the get go.
When you’re shopping for zero waste and plastic free gifts, look out for the wording and ingredients the products below contain.
The Doves Stainless Steel Eco Bottle is the perfect reusable alternative to copious plastic drinking bottles.
Made from recycled card and stainless steel and adorned in a Scandinavian print, the bottle looks as good as it feels.
It’s perfect for both hot and cold drinks and incredibly can keep hot drinks warm for around 12 hours, whilst chilling cold ones for 24! Great for the winter mornings or the summer evenings.
When it comes to looking for alternatives to plastic bottles, look out for products made from stainless steel or glass. Check their packaging too - Doves Stainless Steel Bottle is eco-friendly from head to toe because it comes in card.
As the winter nights draw in, there’s more allure than ever to drag our hot water bottles from the cupboard and get comfy with them.
However, most hot water bottles are made of a type of rubber that cannot be recycled, and therefore the majority end up in landfill.
Enter: The Wheat Bag. Made from 100% natural soft linen material, the wheat bag is actually more versatile than the hot water bottle because it is specifically designed to wrap all the way around the neck, waist or other parts of the body.
Just like its traditional alternative, it still soothes tense or pulled muscles, pains or cramping and it can be heated in both microwaves or ovens, as well as cooled in the freezer for a perfect summer refresher.
Inside the bag, the inner section is divided into 6 sections which prevents the wheat from falling to one side and helps retain heat, whilst the outer cover can be taken off for washing.
When shopping for hot water bottle alternatives this winter season, look out for wheat bags or other bags made from natural linen.
Tis the season for entertaining and also realising that we’ve run out of plates and trays. Sometimes when this happens it can be very tempting to pop to our favourite shop and just replace with whatever’s cheapest and easiest.
However, these cheap replacements are often full of non-degradable plastics, or only good for a few uses - after which, we throw them out.
Thankfully, bamboo isn’t just for straws!
This gorgeous looking Vintage Ivy Bamboo Plate is made entirely from organic, natural and eco-friendly bamboo, as well as corn starch and other completely natural fibres.
Great for meal times, slobbing on the sofa with a tray or picnics, this is one reusable eco-friendly option to feel good about. It’s longlasting and completely biodegradable whenever it does reach the end of its life cycle.
Instead of reaching for the plastic cups, plates and serving trays this party season - look instead to bamboo items. They’re just as sturdy, just as versatile and best of all: They’re dishwasher proof.
Being reusable, recyclable and good for the planet isn’t just limited to household items: Jewellery is getting increasingly involved too.
If you’re looking for a gift that’s going to bring as much happiness to the planet as it will its receiver, look no further than sustainable jewellery options like this Seema Gold Bracelet.
The bracelets come in a recyclable jewellery box, and their sustainability comes from being ethically sourced from women-led artisans, with each piece being named after the woman that made it.
Each piece is handmade from recycled Sterling Silver and then plated with 18k gold. Both the silver and gold are sourced from reputable fairtrade suppliers.
If jewelry’s on your list this year check that it complies with fair trade regulations and supports the sustainability act. Plus, check out the materials. Anything that’s made from recycled components means it can be recycled again at the end of its lifespan, so it’s a good sustainable investment.
Most supermarkets are now implementing charges for plastic bags, or if not, they’re completely eradicating them from the store.
Whilst this is a fantastic step forward, you can also help their cause and support the planet by equipping yourself with a reusable shopping bag.
This gorgeous butterfly bag is just one example of a shopping bag that helps both you and our environment!
Made entirely from recycled plastic bottles it can perform as a daily essential or even a beach bag. It’s foldable, reusable, and best of all: Completely recyclable.
When looking for eco-friendly shopping bag options, look for bags that are made up of existing recyclable materials like plastic, or that are made from linen or bamboo. They’re just as strong and durable, and much better than being sent to landfill.
To sum up, shopping sustainably naturally makes us aware of the waste we produce, which in turn saves us money by changing our thinking to the long term lifecycle of products. We find ourselves buying far fewer unnecessary items because so much is available to us to reuse.
Not only is this great for our ecosystem, it’s also great for our daily lives. Shopping sustainably makes shopping a necessity rather than an occurrence, which in the long run helps save us both time and money.
Want more inspiration? Check out these plastic free, zero waste gift ideas.
It might be time to start thinking about and anticipating Valentine's Day if you need some happiness and positive vibes to get you through the rest of the winter.
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Winter is approaching and with it, so is everyone’s favourite season of joy and merriment.
Hello and thank you for coming to find me over on my new blog. This is a little place where I will be sharing some of the things that inspire me and The Goodness Project - the food, the brands, the people and the lifestyle.