Plastic Free July is back and whilst I may have been slow to come to the table this year (you will have to excuse me as I have been busy being a mama to three littles) it is never too late for anyone to start. Even if you make one change this month and it can be a lasting change, one is better than none and should be seen as a win.
Whilst Plastic Free July is a global movement aimed at minimising the use of single use plastics as a Building Biologist, I love that Plastic Free July encourages changes that can also positively impact human health too.
I understand how busy and overwhelming changes can be, they can so easily be put in the too hard basket or not right now bucket, so I thought I would provide you with some of the simpler swaps my family felt easier to tackle, all in the spirit of Plastic Free July combined with Building Biology.
What I mean by that is, many of the simple swaps are two fold:
- You are not only minimising your body burden by preventing unnecessary toxins from the plastics from entering your body.
- You will be helping to reduce the amount of plastic consumers buy – imagine the grass roots change if more and more did this!
Simple Swap One
Melbourne is back in lockdown and it may have some people wanting to stock up a little on some non-perishables.
Canned foods seem like an easy go-to however canned foods are problematic because cans are lined with plastic and the plastic often contains BPA. With all the negative science mounting and (probably more so from) the public awareness around BPA, some companies have redeveloped their plastics that contain BPA. Canned goods are no exception, with some companies omitting the BPA from within the lining and labelling their cans “BPA FREE”.
Sounds great however BPA is often replaced with another bisphenol, BPS. Scientifically BPS has been found to be potentially more toxic and harmful!
Add to that the fact that acidic contents increase the leaching of endocrine disrupting chemicals from the plastic lining and canned goods just aren’t the safest way to store non-perishables.
The safest alternative is glass.
Jarred tomatoes are easy enough to get from your local Woolies or Coles but beyond that they have limited options of non-perishables in glass. I highly recommend asking your local supermarket if they will stock it, if enough people ask, they may bring it in.
In the meantime, find an organic, health food or wholefood store to pick up a few extra items. Personally, my family love to shop at Wholefood Merchants in Ferntree Gully, they have everything and with three littles I’m not having to purchase from multiple sources.
Simple Swap Two
Straws! Yes I know lots of people are aware of this one and I have noticed quite a few outlets have stopped providing plastic straws and either provide paper ones or none at all.
But as a mama I want you to think back to all the fun you had blowing bubbles in your milk trying to make so many bubbles they would touch your nose.
I encourage you to consider this:
- Blowing bubbles through a straw can help teach controlled breathing and deep breathing for children (I am serious)
Deep breathing has many benefits for you and your child as it reduces stress, tension and anxiety, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and improves focus and concentration.
So maybe if your child really wants a straw to drink out of consider a metal straw for your little ones to drink (and play) with.
Simple Swap Three
Dummies, pacifiers, soothers whatever you personally call them, can be made out of a range of materials, most commonly plastic or silicon.
Whilst silicon is meant to better than plastic it has been shown to be problematic in certain situations (heat and fatty foods) and more studies are needed in my opinion, so if I can avoid that material too I do. Also, silicon dummies generally require added chemical softeners.
So since your bub, if they use a dummy, can be sucking on it for hours at a time I think it deserves to be a mindful purchase.
Thankfully there are quite a few 100% natural rubber dummies on the market that are produced from hevea. Look around, most will be BPA free, PVC free, parabens free, phthalates free and other harmful chemical free.
My favourite brands which we use with Baby Little are Hevea Pacifiers and Natursutten Pacifiers. Both come in round or orthodontic nipples and a range of sizes.
Simple Swap Four
We have all been caught at some point where we have needed to purchase a water bottle. Water bottles are a single use plastic, yes DO NOT reuse them! They are designed as single use and due to a whole host of reasons (they become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria even if they are washed) you should never reuse them for drinking purposes.
So what can you do, you are out, you know you shouldn’t buy a plastic water bottle but you need to buy something…
Well consider buying a glass water bottle. Brands such as VOSS sell their water in glass in two convenient sizes and are stocked in Woollies and Coles amongst other places.
But not only that, you can then:
- reuse the bottle for water if you so choose or
- repurpose it for storage or
- consider a craft project with the littles such as a sensory bottle.
Simple Swap Five
When in the supermarket, items such as mayonnaise, sauce, olives, peanut butter, jam and honey are often sold in plastic containers and glass jars.
I know we all have our favourite brands to buy but maybe consider another brand that provides their product in glass.
Tip/ if you need a jar for a purpose, e.g. to store your nuts, make some homemade yoghurt or make some homemade baby food, keep this in mind as you may be able to find the right size jar for the job when shopping and be able to repurpose the jar when the jar is empty.
Simple Swap Six
Although frozen ready-made meals are super convenient for us, they notoriously come in plastic containers and are generally unhealthy – laden with additives and preservatives. In fact, even the ones that come in cardboard boxes are generally lined with plastic.
So as much as it is easy to say avoid buying them altogether and cook from scratch it doesn’t solve the problem of why you probably buy readymade meals in the first place- convenience.
It is true we all get in a jam sometimes, nothing in the house to cook or the time just doesn’t allow for it, either way we need an alternative (and with COVID restrictions taking our own containers for takeaway just isn’t an option at the moment).
Firstly, the obvious, we could make extra and freeze the extra portions for such a time.
But to be honest sometimes my family doesn’t want my same old favourites that have been frozen. So how do I choose a meal delivery service?
Personally, our family just love My Goodness Organics in such moments- ready made organic meals delivered weekly to your home. From their packaging being biodegradable and environmentally friendly where possible to the meticulously sourced ingredients, my family gets the convenience of readymade meals but the quality of a home cooked nutrient dense meal with the added bonus of not having to add unnecessary plastic waste to the environment.
And thanks to the newest addition in our household, I am so thankful I have been able to utilise My Goodness Organics to keep my family and myself nourished. Thanks Bec and Warren. Xx
Simple Swap Seven
I just had to add this one because clingwrap was a big deal when we decided to tackle it. So in case like us, this one feels like it is just too difficult then I thought I’d pass on some of the solutions we found.
Firstly, the obvious, storing and packing food in reusable containers.
Secondly, to cover food in bowls, pots in the fridge, we use an upside-down plate, saucepan lid or cloth.
Thirdly, for sandwiches we either pop them straight into the littles Planet Box lunchbox or use a wax wrap.
I hope at least one of these swap ideas resonates with you.
I would love to hear some of your ideas in the comments that you have made that may help other families lower their own and the planet’s plastic burden.
Xx Tammy
**To see products I use and recommend go to my Faves Wellness Resources page or to view services I recommend, go to my Faves Wellness Providers page for a list of businesses.
