July has definitely crept up this year! My new year's resolution to be living plastic free by July has been an amazing journey and in these last few weeks, there are a few more things I would like to try as I #breakfreefromplastic.
1. DIY muesli
I have made a few different muesli recipes throughout the year but I feel like now is the time to finalise that perfect recipe and make a shopping list for the bulk shop. I would love to be able to ditch plastic packaging at breakfast and making my own muesli would be (almost) the final step for that. We are not longer buying bread in plastic bags - instead we are buying it in our own bags fresh from the bakery - and we buy jams and other spreads in glass jars. To have plastic free muesli would be AWESOME!
2. DIY Almond Milk
It only seems fair that DIY muesli gets from delicious DIY almond milk to go with. I usually drink soy milk (as I am allergic to dairy) however this comes in cartons with plastic lids and while this can be recycled, I will always choose waste free over recyclable. I can buy almonds in bulk from my local bulk store, The Source, and I would love to try making my own nut milk. This is something relatively new to me and I appreciate that it is not the easiest thing in the world to make however this will be the last step to eliminating plastic from my breakfast meal.
3. Shampoo soap bars
I have long hair so I go through shampoo bottles so quickly. These can also be recycled however, again, I always prefer waste free. The Source also has bars of shampoo soap (along with bulk foods) which can be bought free of packaging. I have never used shampoo soap bars however, I have heard a lot about such products and I am very keen to give it a try.
4. Bamboo toothbrushes
Still feeling inspired by my local bulk shop, The Source, making the move to bamboo toothbrushes is definitely on my list. While plastic ones are very convenient as they are cheap and can be bought in packs of 8, bamboo toothbrushes are (usually) plastic free - although many the bristles contain plastics which need to be disposed of separately - and they can be composted at home. I would love to find a company which sells bamboo toothbrushes in bulk or in larger packs (let me know of any that you can recommend in the comments!!!)
5. Refillable pens
I mentioned this in my last post and I am quite keen to find a nice refillable pen that will last me many years. I have been recommended to look at the Muji brand which apparently does refillable pens (and I do love the muji brand A LOT!) however there aren't any stores close by meaning it may not be the most convenient option for me. I also don't want to have to use heaps of petrol and fossil fuels making my way into the city just for a pen refill. I will definitely still have a look at their range however I am also hoping to find something a bit closer to home.
6. DIY toothpaste
Now I have given this a shot many times and have not had much success. HOWEVER, as we draw nearer to plastic free July, I am willing to give it one more go. I am going to have a good hunt around for a recipe that I like and try to be patient with some trial and error. If I can come up with something that I like I will be overjoyed because not only does toothpaste come in a completely un-eco-friendly plastic tube, there are actually tiny pieces of micro plastics that are leaked into the ocean that actually come from your toothpaste! I know this sounds scary but it is completely true and what's more, we ingest a lot of those micro plastics, clogging up our own stomachs as well. I am really determined to find a good toothpaste recipe so let me know in the comments if you have any that work for you!!!
So there we have it, 6 things to try in the 6 weeks before July! I am super excited about Plastic Free July as my long preparation begins to take the ultimate test. I know there is still a long way to go before I can claim a plastic free lifestyle however I am very proud of myself and how much I have already been able to achieve in a short amount of time. So bring it on Plastic Free July!!!