For plastic-free July, let’s talk about avoiding plastic! Sadly, plastic is almost everywhere – in our kitchens, in our bathrooms, even in our clothes… And you may find the usual plastic-free guide only talks about avoiding single-use, disposable plastic. To me, that’s only a small part of the picture. Plastic, and other oil-based synthetic materials, need to be avoided as much as possible. Find out why – plus 40 easy ways to avoid plastic – in this bumper guide.
What’s The Problem With Plastic?
Plastic is a very clever material. It comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colours and applications. It can be a clear, flexible plastic bag. It can be a thick, sturdy black bin. It can be a warm, fluffy carpet. It can be soft, lightweight pyjamas. Plastic is everywhere. And it’s a real problem.
When plastic was first invented, it was seen as a wonder material. Not only is it incredibly versatile, it’s also incredibly cheap. Now, a few decades on, we know how damaging it can be to people and planet. Problems that plastic cause include:
- War, conflict, and destruction caused by oil production
- Harmful gases and by-products of fracking, oil drilling, and other fossil fuel extraction methods
- More harmful processes involved in plastic manufacture
- Plastics – all plastics, including single-use – existing in landfills for 100s of years
- Microfibres being found in our bodies and wildlife
- Forever chemicals leaching into waterways and the ocean
Plastic is not easily broken down. It is not conventionally biodegradable. In fact, every piece of plastic ever made still exists on this planet. It’s why we need to look to natural, biodegradable alternatives – even if they are more expensive than plastic.
Before Making Plastic-Free Swaps, Do This
Every time I celebrate plastic-free July, I find myself noticing more and more alternatives to mainstream plastic products. I first wrote this guide in 2020, and five years on, have added so much to it! In this guide I wanted to share like-for-like swaps, so you can work your way through these ideas and work out what’s best for you. But before you start switching how you shop, I would like you to consider campaigning against fossil-fuel production as the first step.
While avoiding plastic is a brilliant thing to do for the planet, household waste only accounts for 11% of all waste in the UK, meaning we can only do so much when we shop sustainably. Joining a local advocacy group or charity is a much greater action, and will strengthen existing campaigns that call for a rethink on our reliance on plastic. Check out these organisations to get started:
45 Plastic-Free Swaps You Can Make at Home
So, here’s my big guide to plastic-free swaps. It’s full of personal recommendations, with many products being ones I use myself. I’ve also avoided recommending refills from zero-waste shops, which I love to do, but I know it’s not a very accessible option for many of you (and even I find it a bit of a fuss!)
11 Plastic-Free Swaps For The Kitchen
Homemade Oat Milk
Right now I like to drink oat milk and hemp milk, both of which come in Tetra Pak bottles. These are lined with plastic, making them a not-so sustainable option.
You may be able to find a local glass bottle delivery service, or a farmer’s market such as The Sussex Peasant, to get your milk. If not, check out my super easy recipe to make your own oat milk →
Plastic-Free Grocery Shopping
Groceries are a big area to tackle when going plastic-free. My routine is to go into the supermarket, get as much of my shopping loose or in cardboard, and then head over to my local farmer’s market for the rest. You may spot the Plastic-Free Mark on items, but until it’s wide-spread, try a combined approach. You could even a shop online with Ethical Superstore* or Planet Organic.
Wax Wraps > Cling Film
I ditched cling film over seven years ago now, and I’ve made do with wax wraps instead. These are pieces of cloth, covered in wax (they can be vegan wax or beeswax – be sure to check). I’ve bought a few sets of these over the years, from places like Lily Bee Wrap. You could even make your own wrap if you have time.
More Kitchen Swaps:
Coffee: I’m a bit of a coffee snob, so I have a pretty fancy at-home coffee set up. I buy my beans in a larger quantity and will grind them for each individual cup. This cuts out a lot of the plastic waste involved with coffee. For instant coffee, Percol is the go-to brand for plastic-free coffee. They’re the first brands to receive the Plastic Free Mark, and also were the first coffee to be Fairtrade certified too.
Tea: The tea world is clamouring to be more eco – PG Tips now use biodegradable bags, Yorkshire Tea is carbon-neutral, and Clipper do a plastic-free tea bag (that ironically comes in plastic foil). My faves are Pukka, who are completely plastic-free.
Chocolate: If you want good chocolate that comes in plastic-free packaging, go for Divine*! Not only do they use recyclable packaging, they’re also Fairtrade certified and are part-owned by their cocoa farmers in Ghana.
Coffee Cup: If you don’t have a reusable coffee cup by now, you’re probably in the wrong place. Not only does a reusable cup save on waste, it can often score you a discount in cafes. The best reusable coffee cups I’ve used over the years have been from Contigo, Chilly’s, KeepCup*, and Stojo.
Water Bottle: Another easy swap (that you’ve probably already made!). Ditch the BPA-riddled single-use plastic bottles and go for a reusable one. My favourite is the Contigo Matterhorn, a double-walled insultated bottle that I’ve been using almost daily for over five years.
Disposable Cutlery: There’s no real reason to use disposable cutlery if you have reusable cutlery on hand! I have a pretty cool magnetic cutlery set* from Joseph Joseph that I keep in my handbag at all times.
Straws: Simplest swap to a plastic straw: no straw at all. Now that plastic straws have been banned in the UK, it’s not so much of a worry, but the paper straws are pretty wasteful too. If you do want a straw, get yourself a reusable glass or metal straw.
Sponges: Most places do wooden cleaning brushes now, although I particularly like my set from EcoCoconut, made using coconut coir.
19 Plastic-Free Swaps For The Bathroom
Plastic-Free Period Products
This is one I get asked about a lot – and thankfully there are so many options! Personally I use a menstrual cup paired with period pants. Both are reusable and have saved me £££ over the years. I’ve just switched to Asan, which comes in two different sizes depending on your flow.
If you’d rather make a like-for-like swap, go for Grace & Green‘s plastic-free period range (and make sure to sign Ella Daish’s petition to stop period plastic too!)
Cotton Rounds > Make-Up Wipes
I rarely ever use make-up wipes, despite having used one daily throughout my teenage years. These wipes are awful for the environment, especially when disposed of incorrectly. Instead, I recommend switching to reusable cotton rounds* or face cloths. These may seem old-fashioned, but they save on waste and pennies at the same time. I like to use a face cloth when I cleanse, and another cotton round with micellar water to remove any stubborn make-up.
Plastic-Free Perfume
Perfume tends to come in overly-fancy, grandiose packaging. From my guide to sustainable perfumes, three feature plastic-free packaging: Floral Street*, Lush, and solid perfume brand Tenth Muse*. Of the three, Tenth Muse’s perfume is likely the most sustainable, with a solid formula and minimal packaging. Plus, the Date Night scent is divine!
More Bathroom Swaps:
Hairbrush: Go back to a traditional wooden hairbrush – they’re better for hair health too!
Shampoo: I’m going to be honest, I love liquid shampoo, and that often comes in plastic. If you’re willing to make the switch, go for plastic-free shampoo bars (I like Ethique’s bars the most), or refillable metal bottles from Beauty Kitchen*.
Cleanser: Similarly, you can get cleanser bars, but my favourite plastic-free cleanser has to be M.O.A. Green Balm* that you use with a hot cloth. Smells amazing and makes my skin so happy!
Makeup Remover: One of the best beauty swaps is Dr. Hauschka’s makeup remover*. It feels nice, smells nice, and works well with a reusable cotton round.
Cotton Buds: I covered this in my guide to eco-friendly cotton buds, but there’s basically two types of bud that avoid plastic: ones with bamboo stems, and others with cardboard stems. I prefer bamboo as the cardboard tends to bend, and I’m looking into reusable buds* too.
Toothbrush: I switched to a wooden toothbrush* in early 2018, and they served me well at the time (my orthodontist even sold them!) However, the bristles are still plastic. For a sustainable electric toothbrush, I recommend Suri, whose heads you can send back for recycling.
Toothpaste: My toothpaste is still predominantly in a plastic tube, although I did work my way through a pot of Georganics Charcoal Toothpaste* previously. It’s definitely different to regular paste, so I’m still looking for a good like-for-like swap.
Deodorant: There are so many good natural deodorants out there, but my favourite plastic-free ones are from Earth Conscious*, Elsa’s, and The Natural Deodorant Co*.
Shower Gel: The simplest swap I’ve made is to switch out shower gel, and go for soap. Even better if you use scrubby gloves or a sponge! If you really do want shower gel, go for a brand that offers refills.
Razor: In 2019, I started trying out shaving with a metal safety razor, and while I’m pleased to say it works well, it did take some getting used to. I now subscribe to Estrid, which isn’t plastic-free, but cuts down on the plastic waste generated by traditional disposable razors.
Toilet Paper: There’s no real reason why toilet paper should come in plastic wrapping. Switch to Cheeky Panda* or Who Gives A Crap*, or check your supermarket for own-brand paper-wrapped toilet rolls.
Makeup: I’m going to be honest, my makeup bag is still pretty plastic heavy. I wrote that in 2020, and sadly it’s still the same in 2025. That said, there are a few great plastic-free brands out there to try: Acala, Kjaer Weis, and Zao all offer plastic-free packaging with clean ingredients and are cruelty-free too.
Skincare: There are so many brands making skincare in glass and metal now. My favourite has to be Facetheory, whose recent rebrand also led to totally plastic-free packaging.
Hair Bands: If you’re looking for simple hairbands made without plastic, Kooshoo is your best bet.
Ear Plugs: Taking care of your hearing is incredibly important. While I’m an advocate of ear plugs at gigs and concerts, I recommend reusable ones if you can. Happy Ears offer a great range made from ocean plastics.
Bin: Have you ever thought about adding a recycling bin to your bathroom? It’s a quick and easy way to reduce your landfill-bound bathroom waste. Unfortunately our bathroom is a bit too small for two bins so instead I’ll collect up any recyclable items and take them to the kitchen bin.
7 Plastic-Free Swaps For Your Wardrobe
Clothes Made From Natural Fibres
A general sustainable fashion principle is to wear clothes mono-material that’s a natural fibre, i.e. 100% organic cotton, or 100% linen. This helps reduce demand for synthetic fibres, and also reduce on microfibre pollution too. I’ve got into the habit of checking the label when I shop or thrift. This outfit here is a 100% silk dress with a 100% linen shirt. The reason that plastic-free clothing is so important is because polyester clothing can’t be recycled, and worse, is often mixed with natural fibres as a cost-saving measure, which also stops those items from being recyclable too. Of course, fabric is just one part of the conundrum – also consider ethical production as a priority.
Plastic-Free Activewear
A new entry for this guide is activewear! I’m delighted to have discovered Wellicious back in 2022. They’re the first activewear brand making sustainable yoga clothing from natural fibres and the world’s first non-ecotoxic elastane. Read my full review →
Plastic-Free Shoes
It’s rare to find a plastic-free shoe – most vegan leathers are made with plastic, and even leather is coated in plastic. That’s why Purified’s plastic-free sneakers were a groundbreaking discovery at the start of this year. I love my pair, and they look and feel just like a standard pair of trainers. In fact, they retail for the same price too! Read my full review →
More Plastic-Free Clothes Swaps:
Clothes Pegs: A small item you may not have thought of is pegs. Go for bamboo pegs* or head on over to a small corner shop to find the more traditional wooden ones.
Detergent: In my guide to eco cleaning products, I showcased two brands reducing on plastic: Clothes Doctor, and Splosh who do refill pouches. If you want to go truly plastic-free, why not try soap nuts!
Microfibres: If you’re concerned about washing plastic-based fabrics, get a Guppy Friend Bag*. These capture microfibres in the wash, which you can then safely dispose of in the bin.
Reusable Bags: The answer is a good old tote bag of course! I’ve been rocking one since I was 14 (mine said “Peace Love Planet” on the side… little did I know what that would lead to!)
8 Plastic-Free Swaps You Can Make Elsewhere…
Natural Fibre Bedding
I’ve had the pleasure of trying out a good few sustainable bedding brands, and I’m pleased to say there are a lot of plastic-free options. My current favourite has to be Panda Bedding*, whose Cloud Duvet keeps me very cosy. I also really like my recycled down pillows from EarthKind.
Sustainable Home Textiles
Plastic fibres such as polyester and nylon make up about 60% of clothing and 70% of household textiles. I was shocked that this figure was even higher for home textiles, but look at the labels and you’ll likely find that your tea towels, rugs, and cushion covers all contain it. I’ve been actively investing in textiles made with 100% natural fibres, and can recommend Radical Tea Towel and Linen Tales as great, plastic-free options.
Wrapping Paper
Did you know most wrapping paper is coated in plastic? You can check this by doing the scrunch test – scrunching it up to see if it stays. If it slowly unfurls, it’s likely coated in some kind of plastic to add that sparkle or shine. Switch out traditional plastic-coated wrapping paper for brown paper – as I do every Christmas – or try a reusable cloth wrap*. I’m tempted to use decorative tea towels this year!
More Lifestyle Swaps:
Confetti: For plastic-free confetti, choose flower petals! My sister did this for her wedding recently. More sustainable wedding ideas →
Home Insulation: Good insulation is more important than ever in the face of climate change. Springbond, who scooped an award in the Sustainable Lifestyle Awards, make insulation from recycled materials.
Nappies: In my guide to eco parenting, my friend Bertille shared her favourite reusable nappy brands, as well as the huge impact you can make by switching out just a few disposable nappies per day.
Phone Case: Go for a recycled phone case! A Good, Casely, and Pela all make recycled cases.
Plasters: I switched to Patch plasters a few years ago. These are bamboo-based plasters that come in a cardboard tube. They’re cute and last stick well!
Got any more plastic-free swaps to add to the list? Comment below and I’ll try them out!
Disclaimer: This post contains gifted products (denoted 'gifted') and affiliate links (denoted '*')
