Over the past year and a half, I’ve been busy making sustainable lifestyle changes. Looking back on my progress, I thought it’d be good to do a little anti-haul to show what wasteful products I no longer buy.
So what are they?
This is one of the biggest changes I’ve made. Disposable period products like pads and tampons generate heaps of waste every year. I made the switch last May to the Organicup, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
While this is admittedly a work in process… I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding bottled water recently. I say it’s a work in process simply because I’m only human and have been caught out once or twice while on the go.
What can I say? I’m a forgetful human being. But I’m trying!
Yes, I’ve finally said goodbye to aerosol deodorants! This is a swap I was super apprehensive to try because I thought there was no way I could do this without being a super sweaty betty. But after transitioning to roll-on deodorants and then taking the step towards the more natural side, I’m hooked.
I’ve been using the Wild Refill deodorant stick for a couple of months now and I’ve also dipped my toes into the wider world of sustainable deodorants. I’m a huge fan of the aluminium free, plastic free life!
As with the bottled water, this is also a slight work in progress! I’m really good at remembering my reusable bags for big food shops, but I always get caught out when I pop to the shops on a whim. Usually while I’m already out and about, I’ll pop into Spar or WH Smith and get caught short without a bag.
I do always try and buy a new reusable bag if there’s one available, but there are times when I have to go back to plastic. If like me you’ve got a mountain of plastic bags under your kitchen sink, here’s a few ways you can repurpose them and give them a new lease of life.
When the whole global pandemic really kicked off, the hand soap aisles were astoundingly empty. Luckily for me, I’ve developed quite the collection of bar soaps from both PR samples and my own personal obsession.
It’s been almost a year since I purchased a plastic pump bottle hand soap, and I don’t think I will again for a long time. If at all.
Back when I started this blog at the start of 2019, I ditched plastic toothbrushes. Swapping them for their popular bamboo counterpart. I usually buy them in bulk online, and swap them out every 4-6 months.
Yep, I’ve ditched these popular kitchen staples! I received some beeswax wraps as PR samples earlier this year from Net Zero Co in addition to some other sustainable kitchen bits. I’ve always been super curious about how they work, and I’m happy to say there were super easy to get to grips with!
You simply use the heat of your hands to warm them up and make them pliable, and fold around your food products just like regular cling film or tin foil. Easy peasy!
These get a lot of press as one of the easiest sustainable swaps you can make. But I also think they’re one of the most unnecessary swaps. Let’s be honest, those of us who are able bodied really have no need for straws in general. Other than keeping our lipstick in tact while we drink.
But I do have a set of metal straws, and also a bamboo one which came with a bamboo cutlery set. I don’t tend to take them out and about with me, but they do get some use at home – generally when I’m drinking alcohol.
It’s been two years since I last bought a pack of makeup wipes! I’ve since opted for oil based facial cleansers from Lush and Pixi Beauty. I’m especially a fan of the double cleanse, it melts makeup right off!
Shaving used to be such a chore when I used disposable plastic razors. After one use the blades were pretty much useless, and I used to get so frustrated. I made a switch to a reusable safety razor last year and it has easily been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I simply swap out the metal blade every few months and it’s as good as new.
Love this post! I’ve made most of these swaps myself apart from the aerosol deodorant. That’s definitely next on my list but I’ve struggled to find an alternative that works for me (the first one I tried gave me itchy armpits!)
Thanks so much Emily! It’s difficult to find deodorant alternatives for sure, it involves a lot of trial and error!
El xx