FAQs

Not all eco toothbrushes are completely plastic-free. Most bamboo toothbrushes for instance, have nylon bristles, although it’s possible to buy some that have plant-based bristles with a little nylon, or bristles made of animal hair.

Nylon bristles aside, bamboo toothbrushes still make a good eco-friendly alternative to those with plastic handles.

Check out our range of bamboo toothbrushes for a conscientious swap.

Many conscientious consumers begin their plastic-free venture by starting off slowly and building up over time, rather than going cold turkey and attempting to cut out plastic in one go.

Designing a plastic-free lifestyle means looking for a reliable plastic-free or zero waste shop; seeking out sustainable and reusable items like bars of soap instead of plastic hand pumps; using natural loofahs instead of everyday sponges (which contain plastic); and choosing products with plastic-free packaging.

You can also make your own household cleaning products by using everyday ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and vinegar, where possible.

Don’t forget to make good use of your local grocer as they are likely to stock unwrapped fruit and veg. Just remember to take your own bags!

More ideas here.

Looking to swap your usual hair conditioner with a plastic-free alternative? Making an environmental choice means looking at the ingredients of the product as well as the packaging itself.

This is because some conditioners contain silicone – a manmade ingredient made from rubber and plastic to make our hair shine.

Ditch the plastic completely and choose to shine naturally by using conditioner bars – no plastic bottles and usually natural ingredients.

Browse the plastic-free conditioner range from PlasticFreeThings.com.

For a completely plastic-free deodorant, choose a solid deodorant bar, a deodorant stick in a cardboard push-up tube or a balm or cream product in a jar or tin.

There are also plenty of recipes online to try making your own, if you have the time!

The concept of plastic-free living is often more of an ideal rather than a literal way of life.

The reality is that plastic has become so embedded in our lives that it’s not easy to turn back the clock and live completely plastic-free. However, we can certainly make a big difference by choosing plastic-free alternatives.

At PlasticFreeThings.com, we use the term ‘plastic-free living’ to represent a lifestyle where people consciously avoid buying single-use plastics - as part of their weekly shop, for instance.

If you’re keen to follow a plastic-free lifestyle, browse our range of plastic-free products.

Many people simply use coconut oil when looking for a plastic-free moisturiser. It’s 100% natural and a good way of guaranteeing the product is free from the synthetic plastic polymers (silicone) that are often found in creams and make-up.

For a true plastic-free moisturiser swap, choose a silicone-free moisturiser that is sold in a glass jar or a tin.

Need some help deciding? Try one of these plastic-free moisturisers.

While the world seems to be waking up to the enormous problem of plastic waste, Amazon seems to be bucking the trend.

With the introduction of its SmartPac envelope, the retail giant seems to be going full circle on its pledge to reduce plastic waste.

As a result, many consumers are boycotting Amazon – assuming the company is putting profit before the planet.

Smaller retailers are both happy and willing to fill the gap when it comes to providing plastic-free packaging. By choosing to order from PlasticFreeThings.com – or by taking a trip to your local zero waste shop – you are helping to support small independent retailers who are dedicated to making a positive difference.

Want to know more about our plastic-free packaging? Read more here.

Plastic is cheap to produce. It’s also lightweight and extends the shelf life of products. As a result, plastic does help to keep prices to a minimum, meaning it can be more expensive to buy plastic-free goods.

However, shop around and you might be surprised. There are many ways you can help save the environment as well as saving your money – especially if you’re willing to be creative.

Buying raw ingredients and making your own plastic-free cleaning and beauty products can often end up being a highly economical venture.

Plus, investing in reusable products such as wax wraps, cloth make-up remover pads, reusable wipes and plastic-free safety razors means you won’t have to keep buying the same products over and over again.

It means that with a bit of thought, buying plastic-free can make perfect environmental - and economical - sense!

Browse our range of plastic-free products for ideas.

Many regular retailers as well as plastic-free and zero waste shops stock plastic-free razors. Look out for razors with bamboo or wooden handles and razors that come with brass and stainless steel heads.

In fact, we have plastic-free shaving products on PlasticFreeThings.com.

Check out the plastic-free razors, and use again and again for a close and smooth shave. You can wave bye-bye to disposable razors for good!

Shampoo can come in a couple of plastic-free forms: shampoo bars, like bars of soap but made with ingredients to nourish your hair; and refillable liquid shampoo that you can refill in your local zero waste shop.

Many plastic-free shampoo brands, whether bars or refillable liquids, are brought to market by manufacturers that have an environmental vision in mind.

This usually means that plastic-free shampoo is – by its very nature - not tested on animals. Many plastic-free shampoos are in fact vegan. However, you should still read the ingredients to check for sure.

Look for the ‘Leaping Bunny Logo’ as a sign that no new animal tests were used in the product’s development. It’s a quick sign that the product is cruelty-free.

PlasticFreeThings.com sells plastic-free shampoo bars that are kind to animals and come without a trace of plastic. View the range today.

If you're looking to cut down on your household waste, the 5 Rs are a great set of guidelines to help you on your journey.

Refuse - Before making a purchase, ask yourself these two questions: Do I really NEED this? Do I agree with it? If the answer is no, refuse it.

Reduce - Simplify your life and reduce the number of products you use.

Reuse - Swap disposable items for reusable ones. For example, buy a few reusable wax wraps to use in place of cling film.

Recycle - Hopefully, after refusing, reducing and reusing there won't be much left to throw out. However, it is still essential to separate what is left of your waste to send as much for recycling as possible.

Rot - Get yourself a compost bin and start composting! It isn't just about producing free fertiliser for your garden, it is vital for the environment and lessening the burden on landfills.

Yes! By refusing plastic packaging in favour of alternative materials, plastic-free shower gel manufacturers are helping to keep our oceans free of plastic. They are also reducing the environmental impact of extracting the oil needed to make the plastic in the first place – a process that is not only unsustainable, but also harmful to our natural environment.

Also, because plastic-free shower gel is designed with the environment in mind, many brands contain fewer or no harmful ingredients that end up polluting the water.

Shower gel can be bought in bulk from zero waste shops – just take a clean, empty bottle and refill it. Or you could just use a bar of soap or “soap on a rope” which last for ages and can come with no packaging at all. No brainer!

View our range and buy plastic-free today – we need to come together if we want to protect our natural environment.

Plastic-free soap often comes in a solid bar form. Alternatively, you can choose to refill your own reusable container with liquid soap at your local zero waste shop.

For plastic-free soap bars, look no further than the products on PlasticFreeThings.com. Through sourcing environmentally friendly plastic-free soap, we can help you live a more sustainable and conscientious life.

Many people do not realise that lots of tea bag brands contain plastic. That’s right, those innocent looking bags that you swirl around in your cup actually contain a plastic-based substance that is designed to keep the bag intact.

If you’re looking for a plastic-free cuppa, you have a few options.

You can choose plastic-free biodegradable tea bags, or even better, reusable tea bags made from natural materials like organic cotton. Just fill them with your favourite loose tea and enjoy!

Or you can opt for a metal infuser to use with loose tea.

But how about simply making yourself a brew in your favourite tea pot with loose leaves and straining it before pouring? It’s the way it was always done before the age of the plastic teabag fell upon us.

To enjoy a great cup of tea, put your feet up and view our tea strainers and reusable tea bags.

If you’re looking to buy plastic-free toothpaste, then look for tooth powders in glass jars. Simply dip your bamboo toothbrush in and brush away as normal and you can smile throughout the day with clean teeth and a clear conscience.

Another zero waste toothpaste option is to buy toothpaste packed with natural ingredients (including aloe vera, peppermint, bentonite, sodium bicarbonate, eucalyptus) and packaged in glass jars. Again, just dip your toothbrush in and away you go.

Dental tabs also make a great alternative to plastic toothpaste tubes. They come in handy tablet form and stored in little jars which means they are great for travelling.

There has been much debate in the headlines recently about the environmental damage caused by disposable wipes – whether baby wipes, pet wipes, antibacterial wipes, floor wipes or household cleaning wipes.

Disposable wipes are not only packaged in plastic, but each wipe contains an indecent amount of plastic too.

As a result, disposable wipes are clogging up our waterways and are ending up in our oceans.

We all need to wake up to the reality of the harmful effects they cause.

At PlasticFreeThings.com, we stock plastic-free and reusable wipes that are made from cotton. They can be easily washed and reused. Less shopping, less waste and definitely no plastic!

What’s not to like?

Re-thinking the way you prepare packed lunches is a great way to get started on your plastic-free journey – or to up your game when it comes to becoming an environmentally conscious consumer.

With a bit of planning, you can create a sustainable, waste-free lunch system that is not only kind to the environment, but is kind to your pocket and your health too.

Consider opting for reusable lunch boxes as a plastic-free alternative. Wrap sandwiches in reusable wax wraps or sandwich bags. Furthermore, find inventive ways of using up leftovers. It’s a great way of aiming for a zero waste lifestyle.

We have all kinds of options to help you get your plastic-free lunch system off the ground.

Browse our range of food storage containers, wax wraps and reusable sandwich bags. Our plastic-free food storage solutions are all durable, reusable and kinder to the planet so you can create tasty lunches that won’t cost the earth.