PLASTIC FREE JULY | tips & resources

I have always considered waste reduction and treading gently on the earth in every aspect of Natural Harry that I have created. It's something I feel very strongly about, but also something that I'm not perfect at. Actually, let's just eliminate the word perfect from all future blog posts shall we? I'm not much of a fan of that word. 

I have also had thousands of face to face and online conversations with people over the years on this topic. The store was focused around it, the books have recipes and tips for it and book three (out in November) is a complete recipe book for simple waste free body and home cleaning products. You could say that I am thinking about it quite a bit actually and taking action every day. But it's still not perfect! 

I guess the point I am trying to make (emphasis on the trying) is that something is better than nothing and in July, when there is more of a focus on it, I think it is a great opportunity to create some lasting habits to minimise plastic. So here are my four biggest tips and some links to a few helpful recipes that I've shared over the years.

5 TIPS TO LIVING A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFE THIS JULY:

1. SORT YOUR STORAGE
Keep hold of good quality glass jars as they will make great dry food storage containers. Wash them well then dry them. They can also be used for a few little DIY projects like making your own tea mix and candles.  

2. CONSIDER YOUR SHOPPING 
The goal is to minimise the single use packaging you bring into your home by shopping zero or low waste. Shop for staples at a bulk wholefood stores where you can bring your own containers and fill them up. Label your jars before you leave, meaning you don’t need to write a shopping list and it makes it so easy to unpack back into your cupboard when you get home.

3. BUY SEASONONALLY
Perhaps sign up to a subscription service to get organic fruit and veg delivered to your door, that way you always get what is in season. It keeps you creative and you are getting the freshest best quality. Of course if you want to choose your own produce, shop as often as you can at farmers market where most items are stored out of plastic. If you’re making a trip to a supermarket, bring bags with you for loose items like apples. And when you’ve unpacked everything, ALWAYS head straight back to your car or bike (whatever your mode of transport) and keep your bags there so you don’t forget them next time and get caught out when you make your next trip. You’ll love the feeling of being prepared!

4. MAKE YOUR OWN
Not only for the food adventurous, you’d be surprised at some of things you can make for yourself at home. For example you can make your own almond milk. The same goes for crafting your own body and cleaning products from pure natural ingredients, not only reducing your consumption of single use plastic, but also the toxins in your home (recipes for these will be coming out in my third book, due to be published November 2020!) 

5. COMPOSTING IS CARING
Got a little veggie patch or herb pots that you want to give some extra TLC to? Compost your veggie scraps with compostable cardboard, paper and plant-based wrapping/paper towels etc, turning waste into nutrient dense fertiliser for your garden. Worms love it and it helps to keep methane producing items out of landfill. Win win!

x Harry