Plastic Free July: A Conscious Shift, Not a Complete Overhaul

It started with a drawer.

Not a grand environmental awakening. Not a zero-waste checklist. Just a simple clean-out of that one kitchen drawer we all have, overflowing with disposable plastic cutlery, crinkled cling wrap and mystery containers missing their lids.

As I sorted through it, I realised something: most of it was convenience disguised as waste. So much of what we keep "just in case" is the result of a system built for disposability. That drawer wasn’t just clutter. It was a mirror.

And it’s exactly where my Plastic Free July started.

What Is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages people to reduce their use of single-use plastics throughout the month of July and ideally beyond. It's not about being perfect. It’s about awareness, intention and creating better habits.

At The Living Co., we believe that going plastic-free should feel simple, beautiful and aligned with your everyday life. You don’t need to overhaul everything, you just need to start.

The First Three Swaps I Made (That Actually Stuck)

Once the drawer was cleaned out, I made three small changes that made a big impact on how we live, shop and eat as a family.

1. Goodbye, Cling Wrap. Hello, Silicone Pouches.
Instead of wrapping leftovers in plastic, we switched to reusable silicone food pouches. They’re easy to wash, seal tight and honestly, cuter in the fridge.

2. Refill Instead of Repurchase.
We swapped out supermarket cleaning sprays for a glass bottle + natural tablet combo. It felt good to stop buying plastic bottles just to throw them out weeks later.

3. One Solid Bar = Less Plastic in the Shower
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, gone. All replaced with one compact shampoo bar that works for everyone in the house. The fewer bottles we bring in, the less waste we create.

Small Shifts That Add Up (Especially in the Kitchen)

The kitchen is still the heart of our home and the place where plastic used to sneak in the most. That’s why our Plastic Free July Collection focuses on practical kitchen swaps that are low effort and high impact:

• Stainless steel containers that outlast Tupperware by decades
• Plastic-free sponges and dish brushes that actually biodegradable
• Natural all-purpose cleaning tablets that turn tap water into cleaning power

These are items you’ll use daily, so every swap you make pays off over and over again.

Shop Plastic Free July Essentials

Plastic-Free Living, But Make It Realistic

You don’t have to live in a tiny home with 3 possessions to make a difference. You can be a busy parent, a renter, a snack lover, a coffee drinker and still cut back on plastic.

Try these real-life ideas for Plastic Free July:

• Pack snacks in a reusable tin, not a ziplock bag
• Carry a collapsible cup for takeaway coffee
• Keep a set of reusable cutlery in your car or handbag
• Refill your dish soap or laundry powder instead of buying new bottles
• Opt for naked produce and say no to plastic produce bags

Plastic-free living doesn’t ask you to do more. It asks you to do less, more consciously.

Let’s Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Plastic Free July isn’t about judgement. It’s about joy. About seeing your impact in the empty bins, the lighter footprint and the cleaner drawers.

So if you’re thinking of joining in, start with what you use most. One swap. One drawer. One less piece of plastic.

And from all of us at The Living Co., we’re here to make those choices a little easier and a lot more beautiful.

Explore the Plastic Free July Collection.

Want to go plastic-free beyond July?
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