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I recently looked over a list of topics I’ve tackled over the past two and a half years in the BuyBetter newsletter — swimwear and beach gear, vegan leather, laundry, tech, and more — and noticed one glaring omission. In all this time, I’ve never devoted a newsletter to sustainable swaps: one focused entirely on how to replace single- and short-term use items with products that will last a long time or dramatically reduce waste. While that topic, arguably, drives this newsletter overall, I decided that now’s the time to zoom in, because it’s Plastic-Free July.
– What we wish The Plastics had said in 2004’s Mean Girls. (Alamy Stock Photo)
This influential global movement began in 2011 in Perth, Australia, where it was spearheaded by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and the Plastic Free Foundation. What started as a local initiative has since grown into one of the world’s most influential environmental campaigns, with an amazing 174 million people participating last July. Plastic Free July’s 2023 Impact Report states that 87% of participants made at least one lasting change, and that over the last five years, participants on average avoided 18 kilos (nearly 40 pounds) of household waste and recycling each year. That adds up to a staggering 1.4 billion pounds of plastic avoided overall. Amazing, right?
The challenge is simple: for one month, reduce your reliance on single-use plastics and explore reusable or package-free alternatives. You can choose to tackle a single issue, like always keeping a stainless steel water bottle with you, or bringing your own reusable produce bags to the grocery store. Or, you can try to introduce some new habits that also support your community, like shopping at the farmers market or at a local package-free store.
So, are you ready to quit cling wrap, ditch heavy detergent bottles, and even rethink your underpants? You're in the right place.
Wishing you a lovely July and happy shopping,
– Elizabeth Weinstein, Marketplace Editor
P.S. Amazon Prime Day begins on Tuesday and runs through Friday, July 11. If you're a Prime member, check out Bluedot Living's new Amazon storefront! It's a great place to find our favorite books, cookbooks, pantry staples, kitchen tools, and more.
8 Brands Making Great Plastic-Free Products
Zero Waste Essentials
Zero Waste Store launched in 2018, and has become one of the web’s best sources for sustainable goods for home and body. We love the Agave Soap Saver Bag, which is a great sub for plastic loofahs, and the mesh and muslin bags that will help you eliminate your use of produce-aisle plastic. Enter code BLUEDOT at checkout to get 20% off your order.
Meow Meow Tweet
Brooklyn-born, California-made, small-batch vegan apothecary Meow Meow Tweet makes skin, hair, and body care products that are undeniably hip. The charmingly designed products work well, smell great, and come in thoughtful, sustainable packaging. In fact, Meow Meow Tweet was the first brand to sell deodorant in a compostable paper tube.
Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls and Home Goods
Friendsheep’s Eco Dryer Balls get the job done just as well as — nay, better than — dryer sheets, without the toxins or trash. The company employs disabled and disadvantaged Nepalese women, offering them fair wages, medical care, and education. Each set can replace up to 1000 dryer sheets, at which point you can compost the balls (or give them to your dog). Save 10% with code BLUEDOT.
Bee’s Wrap
Plastic cling wrap may look flimsy and insubstantial, but it has a devastating effect on the environment. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: Bee’s Wrap is made from pliable organic cotton sheets coated in beeswax, plant oil, and tree resin. These clever wraps are perfect for covering leftovers, swaddling cheeses, packing sandwiches, and much more.
Kooshoo Hair Ties
Since 2010, Kooshoo has been improving on an everyday essential: the humble hair tie. Ethically made and dyed using low-impact methods, the durable, long-lasting ties hold up well in all hair types without snagging or slipping — and they won’t linger in a landfill when their time’s up.
Dirty Labs Laundry and Home
Dirty Labs makes effective, eco-friendly laundry detergent that cleans using stain-fighting enzymes and other bio-based ingredients. A 21.6-ounce stainless steel bottle tackles 80 standard loads. It’s also non-toxic and biodegradable. The space-saving results alone will win a city-dweller’s heart. Save 15% off your first purchase with code BLUEDOT.
Ethique Solid Hair Care
Ethique began in 2012 as a university project for a New Zealand chemistry student who was horrified to learn that 95% of her shampoo was comprised of water. The concept of “solid beauty bars” may now be familiar to many, but a decade ago, it was a revelation. The crescent-shaped shampoo bars feel wonderful against the scalp, and it only takes a couple of washes to get used to the new method.
Kent Super Natural Basics
We’re delighted to tell you about Kent, an intimates company known for its compostable underwear and “plant your pants” program – they’ll compost at home in about 90 days! All of Kent’s underwear, boxers, and tees are made in California from organic, Peruvian-grown pima cotton and nothing else. You’ll get them for 15% off with code BLUEDOT.
