1. Use your own bottle/cup :

One of the easiest way to minimise your plastic use is to use a refillable water bottle, rather than buying single-use bottled water. Not only are these made of plastic which doesn’t biodegrade, the resources used to extract the water, bottle and ship it around the world are massive.

 

Use a stainless steel or BPA-free bottle and take it with you whenever you leave the house. And if it’s taste you’re worried about, studies consistently find that the majority of people can’t taste the difference between tap and bottled water! And many water companies simply bottle filtered tap water. It’s all just crafty marketing, so do yourself and the planet a favour and invest in a good quality refillable bottle instead (and save some money!).

And for your morning takeaway coffee, same deal! Despite how it may appear, typical takeaway cardboard coffee cups cannot be recycled as they are lined with plastic and styrofoam to keep the heat in. Not to mention the plastic lid. Consider taking your own thermos or travel coffee mug to work in the mornings. Many coffee houses even offer discounts for people who bring their own container.

We LOVE these colourful eco coffee cups from our friends at Portobello Tents.

2. Say NO to disposable straws

Disposable plastic cutlery and straws are among the worst plastic pollution culprits. They frequently end up in the oceans, as do the microplastics they leave behind in whatever is washed down the drain after we’ve finished drinking. For most of us, they’re not necessary and can be avoided.

But there are many reasons someone might be unable or unwilling to drink straight from a cup, and your needs

are completely valid! We’re lucky today that product innovation is rapidly catching up with demands for planet-friendly products.

 

Consider investing in a reusable straw. Straws are such a simple swap and, for many, it’s the catalyst toward a more plastic free lifestyle.There are plenty of options from stainless steel to bamboo to BPA-free plastic to collapsible, and they can be cleaned, reused, and taken out with you! Check out these stainless steel metallic Mermaid straws:

3. BYOB (bags, that is!)

The reusable bag should be any ethical fashionista’s best friend! Whatever suits your vibe. Some people prefer a canvas tote bag, some a bag for life, some a backpack, some a messenger bag. Pick your poison!

Carrying a reusable bag is one of the easiest and most effective ways to minimise your plastic consumption and take care of our oceans. Plastic bags are one of the 12 items of debris most frequently found in beach clean-ups, and they cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year – poor babies!

There are hundreds of beautiful options nowadays and you are guaranteed to find something that suits your style and matches your euphoric garms, so no excuses! And if you find yourself always forgetting your bags, try keeping them in the car at all times, keeping them next to your front door, or keeping them in your handbag. And don’t forget your reusable bag isn’t just for food shopping, it’s for all shopping!

 Reduce. Reuse. Recycle!

You know it already! We’ve covered reusables, don’t forget about recycling. Take the time to understand your local council’s recycling scheme, and make use of EVERY single one of your waste boxes. If you make a mistake your bin man isn’t going to sort it out for you, he’s a busy guy! You can recycle electrical items at your local recycling centre, and there are often recycling points for clothes and textiles at local supermarkets and car parks.

But the most important thing you can do is reduce your plastic consumption. Shop in local zero-waste shops that are popping up all over the country. Repurpose items at home that might otherwise have been destined for landfill. And of course, avoid fast fashion retailers and shop sustainable.

 

At Euphoric Threads our clothing is eco-conscious and we use ZERO plastic.

We send your orders out in 100% compostable mailer bags. They are BIO based and made from plants NOT plastic.

 

Even if you only manage to reduce your plastic consumption a little this July, doing just one of these things is a fantastic step towards shifting your mindset and adopting a more earth and ocean-friendly lifestyle.

If you have any more top tips, leave them in the comments below!