36 Plastic Free July Swaps for a Zero Waste Summer

In celebration of Plastic Free July we've created the ultimate guide to a plastic free summer. From zero waste suncream, plastic free aftersun and low waste travel essentials, we've got you covered.

We've created 6 summer edits showcasing some great sustainable and plastic free finds, to make your summer as planet and ocean-friendly as possible. Before diving in, let's dig into some plastic facts:

Today, single-use plastics account for 40% of the plastic produced every year and 85% of the world's plastic isn't recycled. We have a big plastic problem. We are well aware that plastic does not decompose and instead persists in the environment for hundreds of years and the negative effects are accumulating at an alarming rate. While the most visible impacts of plastic debris are the ingestion, suffocation and entanglement of hundreds of marine species, it is important to note that we are unknowingly consuming microplastics as well.

Europeans eat a bank card a week

Microplastics have been found in tap water, beer, salt and are present in all samples collected in the world’s oceans, including the Arctic. With 8 million pieces of plastic making their way into our oceans every day, it's clear to see why. Several chemicals used in the production of plastic materials are known to be carcinogenic and interfere with the body’s endocrine system, causing developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders in both humans and wildlife.

Another study by WWF found the average person could be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic per week, the equivalent of one credit card, and believe it or not most of this comes from water (both tap and bottled). They also predict the ocean will contain 1 metric ton of plastic for every 3 metric tons of fish by 2025.

Holidaymakers cause a 40% surge in marine litter, 95% of it plastic

At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, but summer is especially notorious for lots of plastic waste from single-use plastic water bottles to empty sun cream bottles and food packaging left on beaches, In fact, according to WWF it goes up by 40%, and sadly most of it ends up in the sea.

How to reduce your plastic consumption on holiday

Some key ways to reduce our plastic consumption when out and about is to avoid buying pre-packaged takeaway food. Either eat in, or prepare at home and take in reusable containers. Go for ice-creams without plastic wrappers and packaging and always dispose of any rubbish responsibly. Avoid using plastic cutlery, stirrers and straws (or take your own reusable ones) and invest in a reusable water bottle.

Opt for plastic free alternatives to common items like sun cream, toiletries and flip flops. We need large scale change, but if demand changes, so does business.  For even more inspiration and ideas check out our Summer edits below.