Many everyday items contain plastic such as sanitary products, toothbrushes, vegetable/food wrap and bags, bin bags and animal waste bags. In many cases, there are now alternatives available for these products. These products are not all strictly Plastic Free, some may use recycled plastics, however, they are the best sustainable alternatives available on the market today.
We’ve also recently launched “The Refillery” at our Tollcross store, so you can re-use your own containers and get household products from Bio_D, Ecover, Ecoleaf and Faith In Nature at great prices – follow this link for more details of “The Refillery”.
In addition, here’s a great guide to our loose fruit and vegetables, bulk staples and exactly what our own packaging is made of (cellulose and yes it’s compostable!) Find the Plastic Free article here on our site.
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Bathroom - Toilet Rolls, Toothbrushes, Cotton, Buds and Sanitary Protection
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Kitchen - Wraps, Cups and Bags
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Bodycare - Soaps, shampoos, moisturisers and deodorants
Toilet Roll
Ecoleaf All Ecoleaf paper products are made from 100% recycled fibre sourced and manufactured exclusively within the UK, every effort is made to maximise loads and minimise road miles. Manufactured from 60% plus post-consumer waste supply streams, collected by local authorities, kerbside collections and bona fide waste merchants. The remaining waste fibre is made up of UK manufacturers' waste such as printers' trim and greeting card manufacturers' waste. No chlorine-based chemistry is used in the production process. The rolls come in 100% compostable wrap, making the packaging sustainable, renewable, non-polluting and non-toxic. Toilet Rolls and Kitchen Towels available.
Greencane There are no added inks or fragrances to the toilet paper, in addition, Greencane packaging is made from paper and a plant-based cellophane that is 100% biodegradable. Toilet Rolls, Tissues, Kitchen Towel and Napkins available.
Cheeky Panda Biodegradable toilet paper made from 100% bamboo; certified at FSC 100%, sustainable and therefore highly renewable. It is also B.P.A free, formaldehyde free, chlorine free, fragrance-free and has no de-inking agents.
Sanitary Protection
The average packet of sanitary pads contains the equivalent in plastic of 4 carrier bags. In addition, sanitary protection products often enter and then pollute the water system. Here are options to minimise the impact on the environment.
Menstrual Cups - Reusable
Reusable Sanitary Pads – reusable sanitary pads by Bloom & Nora are an easy to use and more cost-effective alternative to single-use sanitary pads without compromising on performance (average 3p per use versus 12p per use for single use products). With a slim, comfortable fit and secure popper fastening, these cloth pads stay in place to offer peace of mind day and night. Available in colourful Bamboo designs (Bloom) or White Stay Dry (Nora).
Natracare – Natracare products are made from renewable, biodegradable and compostable materials including organic cotton, bioplastics (made from plant starches) and wood pulp. And by choosing plastic-free sanitary products you’ll help reduce plastic production and consumption.
Toothbrushes
Humble
Go Green at Home
Cotton Buds
Paper Cotton Buds - Organic cotton buds from Simply Gentle, with 100% organic cotton tips. These cotton buds are 100% biodegradable, as they have paper stalks, not plastic. Contains approximately 200 buds. Soil Association certified.
Wraps
Beeswax Food Wraps - The simple, reusable, plastic-free alternative to cling film. Handmade in The Cotswolds by Carly and Fran, from 100% cotton, organic jojoba oil, pine resin and local beeswax. Beeswax Wraps are reusable for up to a year, they keep your food fresher for longer due to the natural breathability of the cotton, they cling even better than cling film thanks to the pine resin and at the end of their life, you can pop them in the compost to biodegrade or use them as firelighters.
Cups
Ecoffee - Environmentally responsible reusable cups made with natural bamboo fibre, one of the world's most sustainable resources. It's BPA and phthalate free and at just 125g, it's light, sturdy and fully dishwasher safe. Cup made from natural organic bamboo fibre and non-GMO cornstarch. Food grade silicone lid made from bonded silica (resealable no-drip lid).
Pukka - Reusable mugs. The mug is made from naturally sterile, bamboo fibre combined with corn flour and a resin created from amino acids. The lid from Food-grade silicone, made from bonded silicon and oxygen. These are not biodegradable but they can be recycled.
Bags
Organic Cotton Bag – one of the most common Plastic Free suggestions is to refuse plastic wherever possible. Buy this organic cotton bag, carry it with you and you’ll be able to happily refuse every plastic bag offered! Its long handle means it’s comfortable to carry larger purchases and it comes in a cheerful design of our Broughton Street store.
Compostable bin liners - If You Care Certified Compostable Food Waste Bags are made from 100% GMO-free potato starch in a fully compostable composition. These bags are all natural - completely polyethylene free and plasticiser free. If You Care Compostable Bags are stronger than bags made from corn starch. The potato starch used to make these bags come from starch potatoes, which are not grown for food but only for starch production. These potatoes are too high in starch to be good for food. Therefore, there is no diversion from food supplies. To produce the same amount of starch from these potatoes as from corn requires 40% less land. These potatoes require no irrigation and need only normal rainfall. Corn requires much more water.
Degradable Bin Liners - Symphony's d2w additive put into the plastic at the extrusion stage will make the finished product oxo-biodegradable so that it will degrade and disappear in a short timescale, leaving no fragments, no methane and no harmful residues. Degradability is not a disposal option - you can still re-use and recycle - it simply helps fight against the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment.
Organic Cotton Produce Bags - originally bought for customers who wanted an alternative to plastic bags for any heavy fruit and veg (light fruit and veg is perfectly happy in a brown paper bag), these are sturdy cotton and useful for storing all sorts of produce minus the plastic.
Cleaning Products
Household 5 litres - We have a great article here on cleaning without chemicals if you want to cut back on the products used, this is a great start. You can also pop into our Tollcross store and use 'The Refillery' to get top-ups of your favourite household products. However, for many of us, there is no alternative to buying cleaning products in plastic, that's why we recommend buying in five-litre containers and refilling at home as needed. Bio D, Ecoleaf, Ecover and Faith In Nature are available in these larger sizes and the range includes washing up liquid, laundry, multi-purpose cleaners, handwash and toilet cleaner.
Soap
Unwrapped Soaps - Faith In Nature and Suma sell their soaps as both wrapped (packaged) and unwrapped (loose). We sell both in our stores. If bought online they will be wrapped in a paper bag to protect them from damage (you can also pick these up in the store if needed.) These are vegan, handmade, pure vegetable soaps that are high in natural extracts to gently cleanse, tone and refresh without drying the skin.
Shampoo, Shaving and Cleanser Bars - Friendly Soaps range includes a shaving bar, facial cleanser bar and shampoo bar. We also stock Living Naturally's Coconutty Shampoo Bar, so you don't need to keep buying plastic bottles. They're also extremely popular for people going on holiday as they are solids and so immune from the 100ml liquids rule at security!
Bodycare 5 litres - Although the soap and shampoo bars suit many people, some prefer liquids soaps, conditioners and bubble baths. You can easily buy the 5-litre versions of many favourites and simply top up your bottle as needed.
Moisturisers - Our own brand organic coconut oil is perfect for cooking, or for moisturising! It comes in a glass jar and is one of the bestsellers in our stores. Alternatively try Shea Butter in cardboard packaging here.
Deodorants - You can now make your own deodorants by simply adding water