July marks the start of an international plastic free month campaign - (https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/)
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Anyone can take part, sign up if you wish, and choose to reduce as much plastic as you feel you can. Whether that's just shopping bags, or going zero waste - do what feels good for you.
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Myself and Kala (Plentiful's wonderful new shop assistant!) are going to the extreme, quitting as much single use plastic as we possibly can for one whole month. That might mean giving up our favourite snacks, or switching out our skincare - but we're attempting to reduce our plastic piles to pretty much zero.
Please share your journey with us too by commenting on social media with your tips! Learning from one another is so beneficial whether it's your first, second or fifth Plastic Free July.
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Abbie
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Why do plastic free July?
I want to push my boundaries, and really test how far I've come in a year. I've learnt so much since opening Plentiful, and with the new products I have such amazing access to plastic free alternatives - if I can't do it, how can I expect others to? I'm really excited to see just how little waste myself and my housemates at Cronkshaw Fold Farm can make.
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Bin for four people - switching to a 3l glass jar for July! Eek
I want to push my boundaries, and really test how far I've come in a year. I've learnt so much since opening Plentiful, and with the new products I have such amazing access to plastic free alternatives - if I can't do it, how can I expect others to? I'm really excited to see just how little waste myself and my housemates at Cronkshaw Fold Farm can make.
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Bin for four people - switching to a 3l glass jar for July! Eek
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How much plastic do you currently buy?
Despite owning a plastic free shop I'm not 100% zero waste. I do produce very little plastic now, my whole bathroom routine is plastic free, I make my own plant mylk, cook as much from scratch as I can, carry reusables around with me (or just say no to a coffee etc if I don't have my cup.) I'm very very aware, and will only buy plastic with no other option. I'll refuse it wherever I go and ask businesses to reconsider.
Despite owning a plastic free shop I'm not 100% zero waste. I do produce very little plastic now, my whole bathroom routine is plastic free, I make my own plant mylk, cook as much from scratch as I can, carry reusables around with me (or just say no to a coffee etc if I don't have my cup.) I'm very very aware, and will only buy plastic with no other option. I'll refuse it wherever I go and ask businesses to reconsider.
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Our take on a typical Plentiful customer cupboard - mix matched too!
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Zero waste is the dream of course, but with running a business 7 days a week comes a lot less opportunity to shop in multiple places. My dog is also on a very specific diet so unfortunately there's some ingredients there I've not found plastic free. I'm not including him in plastic free July, as I've gone as far as I can with his food.
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Top 5 plastic products currently used:
- vegan cheese
- contact lenses
- makeup
- spreads/dips/humous
- hidden plastic specific purchases (my latest: a tent repair kit)
- vegan cheese
- contact lenses
- makeup
- spreads/dips/humous
- hidden plastic specific purchases (my latest: a tent repair kit)
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One thing I'm going to try:
- vegan cheese recipes! Instagram followers sent lots of new recipes through, and if I'm not convinced, I'll find the perfect plastic free vegan cheese company!
- vegan cheese recipes! Instagram followers sent lots of new recipes through, and if I'm not convinced, I'll find the perfect plastic free vegan cheese company!
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Almond mozzarella cheese - yes please!
Almond mozzarella cheese - yes please!
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Kala:
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Why do plastic free July?
I think it's important for every person on earth to take part of the responsibility of maintaining our home. As someone who's studied and will continue to study the natural world and all of its inhabitants, it has become increasingly alarming just how much of an impact we're having.
I think it's important for every person on earth to take part of the responsibility of maintaining our home. As someone who's studied and will continue to study the natural world and all of its inhabitants, it has become increasingly alarming just how much of an impact we're having.
Meet Kala, she's at Plentiful 2 or 3 days a week!
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How much plastic do you currently buy?
I do shop/refill at Plentiful and pick plastic free wherever I reasonably can. My current levels of plastic mostly now centre around food, as someone who is meat free it can be hard to find alternatives that do not come in plastic packaging, that are also quick and convenient. This I think will be my main struggle throughout the month, but something I'm determined to cut down on even more.
I do shop/refill at Plentiful and pick plastic free wherever I reasonably can. My current levels of plastic mostly now centre around food, as someone who is meat free it can be hard to find alternatives that do not come in plastic packaging, that are also quick and convenient. This I think will be my main struggle throughout the month, but something I'm determined to cut down on even more.
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Kala's take on a typical Plentiful customer cupboard - a mix of filled up jars!
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Kala's current bin set up for Greater Manchester recycling - how empty will it be?
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Top 5 plastic products currently used:
- bread bags
- quorn bags
- butter tubs
- plant milk cartons
- plastic with internet orders
- bread bags
- quorn bags
- butter tubs
- plant milk cartons
- plastic with internet orders
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One thing I'm going to try:
I'm going to try and make my own bread instead of buying it.
I'm going to try and make my own bread instead of buying it.