Since I live a zero waste lifestyle free of single-use plastics, by default, I\u2019m participating. But if you\u2019re up for it, I\u2019d love to have you join me. I promise it won\u2019t affect how much fun you can have or\u00a0limit you in any way – if you want to still live your best life while also avoiding single-use plastics, the key is being prepared.<\/p>\n
Here are some helpful tools and tips to help you stay plastic free this July.<\/span><\/p>\n July is HOT. And there\u2019s nothing quite like a cool iced coffee in the morning after waking up with your sheets sticking to your sweaty thighs (just me?). To keep your daily coffee shop trip plastic-free, bring along your own reusable cup<\/a>, thermos or mason jar.<\/span><\/p>\n Be bold and kindly request your drink in your own container, and feel free to even throw in \u201cI\u2019m challenging myself to not use any single-use plastics in July!\u201d to spread the word on the movement.<\/p>\n The average person uses about 1.6 non-recyclable plastic straws per day, plus plastic straws are one of the most common forms of plastic pollution in the ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n Adopt the phrase \u201cno straw please\u201d when ordering a drink at a bar or glass of water at a restaurant. Or get yourself a reusable option like a stainless steel<\/a>, bamboo<\/a> or silicone straw<\/a> for sipping your iced coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n It takes a second to get into the habit of bringing reusable bags<\/a> with you when shopping, so set yourself up for success by pre-placing bags all over your home, car and in your work or school bag. It\u2019s also a great technique for those unsuspected \u201cWe\u2019re out of toilet paper! Can you pick some up on the way home?\u201d texts from your roommate.<\/span><\/p>\n Try a more sustainable alternative to wrap up leftovers like aluminum foil which is 100% recyclable, or my personal favorite, reusable beeswax wrap<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n A huge source of single-use plastics for many people comes in the form of prepackaged grab-and-go food like a protein or granola bar.<\/span><\/p>\n You can get all of the same nutrients and flavor from common items in the bulk food section of Whole Foods or a natural foods store like nuts, dried fruit and granola. Or, reach for a piece of real<\/em> fruit instead when you\u2019ve got a hankering for a snack.<\/span><\/p>\n Or if you\u2019re really feeling up for it, experiment with making your own snack bars using bulk ingredients, or items that come in recyclable packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n If you have a pretty regular cycle, you bleed once a month (love you mother nature, except for that one part). If that’s you, chances are during July you’ll have a period. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tampon applicators and most pad and tampon wrappers are single-use plastics. Unless you\u2019re a menstruating person who\u2019s comfortable with free bleeding (go you!) you\u2019ve gotta find a way to keep those fluids in check.<\/span><\/p>\n My personal choice is a menstrual cup<\/a>. It\u2019s a soft silicone cup that\u2019s inserted inside of you in the morning, and only has to be removed once a day to be emptied, rinsed and then reinserted.<\/span><\/p>\n There are also reusable, washable pad and panty liner options<\/a> as well that are great for someone who doesn\u2019t like putting something inside of them<\/span><\/p>\n Let July be your month to leap into the wonderful world of alternative period products!<\/span><\/p>\n The plastic free tool that\u2019s always got your back – a sturdy reusable water bottle<\/a>. Especially in the hot temps of July, staying hydrated is incredibly important. Treat your water bottle as if it\u2019s your third hand and don\u2019t ever leave home without it.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re down for good old tap water, fill it up in the bathroom sink, or if you\u2019re at a bar (as many people are for the majority of July…don\u2019t kid yourself) ask the bartender to fill it up.<\/span><\/p>\n If your local tap isn\u2019t the best, or you just prefer filtered water, get yourself a small water filter that can fit inside your bottle like a GoPure Pod<\/a> or (my favorite) a 100% compostable and natural charcoal water filter<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Everyone is sexier with a tan, a little chest sweat and when the chilled ros\u00e9 is free flowing. While condoms are normally wrapped in a single-use plastic wrapper which would technically go against the whole plastic free pledge, nothing is less sustainable than the spread of STDs or an unwanted pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to sustainability and personal health in the condom space, Lovability<\/a> has some amazing options.<\/span><\/p>\n Though many personal care items such as deodorant sticks, plastic razors or fash wash in a plastic tube aren\u2019t technically \u201csingle-use\u201d plastics, many of them are non-recyclable in traditional municipal recycling.<\/span><\/p>\n Use Plastic Free July as your excuse to start exploring some different options like a package free\u00a0shampoo bar<\/a>, all stainless steel razor<\/a> or cream deodorant<\/a> that comes in a glass jar. <\/span><\/p>\n Are you ready to take the challenge? My store Package Free Shop<\/a> is also running weekly sales to help make it more affordable to transition to a plastic free life, so make sure to sign up for the email list here<\/a> to learn about those discounts if you don\u2019t already receive the emails! <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/package-free-logo-reusable-coffee-cup.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a>BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup)<\/span><\/h2>\nSkip the plastic straw<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/plastic-free-july-reusable-string-bag.jpg\")
<\/a>Shove reusable bags everywhere (get your head out of gutter)<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/plastic-free-july-beeswax-wrap.jpg\")
<\/a>Just say \u201cnah\u201d to plastic cling wrap<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/trash-is-for-tossers-bulk-food-and-pantry.jpg\")
<\/a>Buh bye protein bars, hello bulk snacks<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/menstrual-cup.jpg\")
<\/a>Test out a plastic-free period<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tift-admin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/lauren-sipping-out-of-20-oz-stainless-steel-klean-kanteen-water-bottle.jpg\")
<\/a>Meet your new BFF, your reusable water bottle<\/span><\/h2>\nGet frisky, but stay safe<\/span><\/h2>\n
Switch up your personal care routine<\/span><\/h2>\n
SHOP THE STORY<\/h1>\n