Is it safe to bring reusables during a pandemic? Should we even be caring about our plastic use at this time? And how can I cut my plastic waste when packaged things seem safer?

It’s Plastic Free July again, the month where millions around the world pledge to cut down on their single-use plastics. But never before have we been faced with the challenge of a global pandemic to go along with it!

The above are great questions, and ones I have grappled with during this time. Of course the priority is our safety and health, and doing what feels right to you and what is allowed where you live. But there are so many ways we can all reduce our waste even during a pandemic - and we should definitely still care about doing so! The climate crisis and our plastic pollution problem is not going away any time soon, and will affect us long after this current virus is a distant memory.

Here are some of my favourite ways to get you thinking about making changes for the better, with many options to order online too!

washing more? go for solid Soap and shampoo

We’re all washing our hands more than ever, and the best thing we’re told to use is plain old soap and water. Too simple! As far as I know bar soap does just as good a job at killing germs as liquid soap from a pump dispenser, and solid bars are a great way to cut packaging.

Consider the other washing products in your life. Could it be time to try a solid shampoo bar? Check out my chat with Australian-based Nuebar on how to find a shampoo bar that works. Other things to consider trying naked:

• Conditioner (the bars last sooooo long!)

• Dog shampoo (use a gentle one without fragrance, and avoid essential oils)

• Dishwashing soap (just soap up under the water first)

• Laundry soap (keep a bar handy for spot stains, travel, camping and hand-laundering)

• Cleanser (my Nuebar face cleanser bar is also lasting a very long time and is really gentle)

• Shaving and shower (consider a good lathering bar soap for the shower/ bath which can also be used for shaving)

• Moisturisers come in bar form too! Check out Nuebar and Ethique.

keep using your reusables

The bulk foods stores near me have continued to accept reusable jars, containers and bags, as long as they are clean and dry - the standard in bulk food shopping etiquette anyway! It is safe to buy unpackaged foods from bulk bins as is seems there is no evidence of virus transmission via food.

Some bulk store like The Source here in Australia offer a pick up service where you place the order ahead of time and they will fill their paper bags and jars ready for you to collect.

Cafes are starting to accept BYO cups and offering dine-in crockery again, so consider calling or messaging them first to check where they’re at.

Keep bringing those bags to the shops (including for produce), using your own plates, cutlery, straws for picnics and carrying your own water bottle. These are the staples of going plastic free, and nothing should really stop you there.

READ MORE: How to plan a waste-free picnic

support your local food suppliers

This has been an amazing discovery and truly rewarding experience for me during this pandemic. I am a regular weekend farmers market shopper, and that is a fantastic way to support local growers and eat seasonally. But as the markets got stricter and they were just not enjoyable to visit, I researched fresh produce delivery options in my area.

Not only did I find a company that makes a conscious effort to deliver without plastic, but I discovered just how great it is to buy and eat seasonally, and support the farmers in my region through a supplier that ensures farmers receive 50% of the retail price, as opposed to the standard 14% in Australia!

I am now going to continue as a regular Food Connect customer, as delivery day brings me so much joy! I top up on any other produce at my local organic store and green grocer, with the occasional farmers market trip as restrictions ease a little.

Want to go one step better, and something that is always plastic free? Try growing more of your own food! I recently interviewed the co-founder of Milkwood Permaculture, Nick Ritar, for a Peppermint Magazine article ‘Permaculture for beginners’. Nick’s top tip for anyone wanting to be more self-sufficient, regardless of space, income or time, is to grow some micro-greens or sprouts. No garden space needed, just your kitchen bench!

READ MORE: Permaculture for beginners (written for Peppermint Magazine)

consider a plastic-free period.

Spending more time at home? Now is the perfect time to test out reusable menstrual options! I recently had to replace my menstrual cup after several years of use, and opted for a local company that makes in Australia, is female owned and run, and offers a recycling program at end-of-use. Check out my Myoni experience and review!

Reusable period underwear is also an awesome option, and something I wish was around when I was at school.

It’s great to give you that bit of extra confidence as back-up with a cup, and on lighter days too. I love my Modibodi pairs - especially the versatile seam-free ones!

does something need replacing? consider your next (plastic-free) investment

Speaking of replacements, spending more time at home and opting to shop online is the perfect time to consider how you might replace (and of course recycle or dispose of responsibly) the ‘bigger ticket’ items in your life when they wear out.

Some ideas to get your research journey started - of course only when things need replacing!

• Consider a natural yoga/ exercise mat. My SecondEarth (and secondhand!) mat is made using natural rubber and jute fibres, meaning it will be completely compostable at the end of its life. I can’t imagine when that will be though, that thing is thick and sturdy!

• Bedding. If you’re in need of a new mattress, pillows, bedding and linen, have a look for natural options without the polyester blending, like organic cotton, lyocell or Tencel, hemp, linen, bamboo and wool. Check for things like button closures (are they plastic and could they break?), any blends they might have used, and ask which fibre the stitching is! The Natural Bedding Company is a great place to start in Australia - they even do organic mattresses.

• Cookware. Have you heard about the health hazards associated with non-stick coating? The Teflon material doesn’t break down and has a bunch of negative health and environment factors attached to it. Consider stainless steel and cast iron for cooking (secondhand cookware is totally ok! More on safely buying secondhand below) and check out Low Tox Life for more info including where else Teflon may be hiding in your house (hello, irons, hair straighteners and microwave popcorn bags!).
  

Try some easy DIYs and ditch the packaging

Another great thing about spending more time at home is the opportunity to try our hands at making things we would usually buy.

DIY beeswax wraps are a great place to start, as the materials are available plastic free - check your local health food or organic store for blocks of wax package free, and find some nice natural fabric off-cuts to create a new reusable product!

You could also try some super easy skincare like a body butter whip (my absolute fave, especially in winter!) with ingredients you can buy in bulk at stores like Biome, who also ship in reusable or recyclable packaging. I’ve been experimenting more with food lately, like pickling my local fresh produce, making kraut and other baked yummies.

Make your own pet toys and treats

Just like the tips above, why not try making a few things for your pet? On my list is baking my dog some little biscuit treats with sweet potato.

I’ve made plenty of tug toys for my pooch too, cutting up and plaiting thick cotton found at the op shop. If making’s not your jam, check out brands making plastic-free dog toys (it’s no surprise doggies can easily swallow parts of toys as they chew them!) and treats sans-packaging like roo sticks and pigs’ ears.

READ MORE: How your pet can go plastic free

buying online? ask for ‘no plastic, please’.

During the height of the pandemic lockdown, I opted to get what I could online and delivered to my house, instead of in-person. I ordered my shampoo bars online, naturopathic supplements, fresh produce (see above!), my replacement menstrual cup (more on that above too!), pharmacy scripts, journals, and secondhand clothing and shoes (more on buying secondhand below).

When placing online orders, either add a note at checkout, or contact the brand before making a purchase to request they send your goods plastic free. This isn’t always an option, but it’s totally worth the ask cos if no-one speaks up, the brand won’t know that’s what their customers want. I asked my naturopath about their postage options, and they assured me that any plastic they used to protect the goods was reused from what they receive - so I can either reuse that or pass it on to others who will.

There are also options for postal refill services, like laundry detergent (check out Dirt and Happi in Australia), cleaning products (Splosh) and beauty companies (like Dirty Hippie Cosmetics).

Ask your favourite brands about their packaging.

We all have products that work for us, brands we like to support and things we want to keep buying - or sometimes we just have to do what we can and choose the packaged item. A powerful action we can all take during Plastic Free July (and always) is to email, write or DM a brand to see if they could consider alternative packaging - you may be surprised at their response!

I did this recently with Clove and Hallow as I discovered their cardboard box packaging for my natural mineral pressed powder had a plastic lining when I went to rip it up for the compost. They came back to me saying that on their next order they were going to invest in more sustainable options - hooray! I also had a quick response from Pana Organic, one of my favourite handmade chocolate brands, as they use plastic in their wrapper (inside the cardboard box) and they let me know they are looking at compostable options too.

it’s safe to buy secondhand

Keep buying pre-loved! I’d recommend the standard hygiene with buying secondhand: wash before wear, or clean as best you can by wiping over before using. The virus doesn’t last long on surfaces, and cleaning with soap and water (I mix my dishwashing liquid with water in a spray bottle if you need to wipe it) will do the trick.

If you don’t want to go to stores or meet-up to make secondhand purchases, consider online app’s like Depop for clothing, ask for postage on Marketplace, and check out new virtual op shops like Salvos and O-It.

be ok with accepting some plastic.

This is something we’ve all had to accept during this strange time, so please just do what you can and feel safe doing. I’ve had to buy far more packaged foods than I would have liked, but we all need to remember this too shall pass.

I hope this list gets the creative juices flowing for your plastic free journey, though!

- Ash