Like me, there are a lot of folk trying to work out where to start making changes to reduce plastic or like me, deciding what to tackle next. Luckily there are also a lot of folk who have been making a lot of changes and are happy to share their experiences and recommendations.

Below is a list of the recommendations I have picked up in local Facebook group conversations based on plastic waste reduction as well as my own purchases. I’ll keep this updated as I see others and am happy to add any recommendations you have.

Share any more ideas in the comments or email hello@happybarnet.com to have them added to the list

Food and drink

• Beeswax wraps

• Metal/Bamboo straws

• Reusable coffee cups

• Reusable water bottles

• Milk - delivered in glass bottles

  • McQueens Dairies

• Packed lunches / Lunch tins

• Buy loose fruit and veg rather than packaged

• Glass storage jars

• Grow your own herbs rather than packaged herbs

• Soda Stream

• Loose tea rather than tea bags

• Reusable coffee pods

Shopping

• Reusable shopping bags

• Boomerang bags - find or start up a local scheme

• Donate used plastic bags to local food bank

Toiletries and make-up

• Soap bars

• Soap Pouch

• Shampoo, conditioner and shower

  • Solid - Lush

  • Funky Soap Shop

  • Make your own dry shampoo

  • Beauty Kubes (shampoo, conditioner and body wash)

  • Zero Waste Path

  • Tropic Skincare - refill

• Deodorant

  • Zero Waste Path - Grapefruit and Lemongrass

  • Solid - Lush

  • Roll-on - Kutis

  • Plastic Free Crystal - Salt of the Earth

• Make up

  • Solid or plastic free - Foundation, blush, highlighter, eye powder- Lush

• Washable cotton pads for removing make up

  • Make your own

  • PureXT 16 Eco-Friendly Bamboo Fibre Reusable Makeup Remover Cotton Pads

  • Face Halo

• Dental

  • Toothpaste tablets

  • Toothpaste in glass jars - Georganics

  • Mouthwash tablets - Georganics

  • Bamboo toothbrushes

• Safety Razor

  • Bluebeard Revenge

• Soapnuts - Skincare, Hair care and Laundry

House cleaning and laundry

• Make your own cleaning products

  • Apple Cider Vinegar can be used for just about everything from cleaning windows to rinsing hair

  • Orange Vinegar (a “green” cleaner)

• Koh Universal Surface Cleaner

• Refill based cleaning products

  • Splosh

  • Bambu

• Reusable cleaning cloths

  • Make your own fabric kitchen roll

• Ecoeggs/eco balls for washing machine (mixed views online as to whether this works or not)

• Dish Washing Kitchen Soap Block

• Coconut Fibre Scourers and scourer with handle

• Soapnuts - Laundry, Skincare, Hair care

• Guppy Bag - prevents synthetic microfibers from entering into rivers and oceans

• Brands: E-cover, Bio-D, Faith in Nature, Ecoleaf

Other

• Handkerchiefs

• Toilet roll - plastic free

  • Who gives a crap (free trial!)

• Period Pants

  • Modibodi

  • Cheeky Wipes

• Reusable Baby Wipes

  • Cheeky Wipes

• Menstrual Cups

  • Stem cup (with valve)

• Renewable Energy

  • Bulb

• Biodegradable Bin Bags

• Electric Bikes

  • Rad Power Bikes EU

• Plastic bags

  • Some food banks will take these to help make up donations

Online shops

• Eco Larder

• &Keep

• Ethical Superstore

• Organic Cabinet

• Schop

Refill Shops

• The Eco Larder - Edinburgh

• Real Foods - Edinburgh

• New Leaf Co-Op - Edinburgh

Recycling Schemes

• Colgate Recycling Scheme

• B&Q Community Reuse

• Walkers Crisp Packet Recycling Programme

• Smalls for all - gently worn bras

• Writing Instruments Recycling Programme

How to get more ideas?

• Find local refill or eco shops

• Look out for eco-workshops in your area

• Buy a book

  • No. More. Plastic.

• Join Facebook groups on reducing plastic for more ideas