Reduce your environmental footprint with these easy lifestyle changes

1 - Brew a cup of tea without the waste

Switching from single-use tea bags is not only better for the environment, it’s better for your health too, as tea bags can contain harmful microplastics and chemicals. Invest in some organic loose-leaf tea, a beautiful teapot and strainer – loose-leaf tea tastes so much better too. You won’t look back.

2 - Switch to eco-friendly wraps

Ditch the plastic cling film and wrap your sandwiches in paper bags or beeswax wraps instead. You can buy beautiful beeswax wraps online or at your local health food store, or you can even make your own. Google YouTube tutorials or check with your local council or community college for courses.

3 - Invest in eco-friendly toothbrushes

Did you know that plastic toothbrushes take up to 400 years to decompose? Swap to ones that are made from biodegradable materials, such as bamboo or cornstarch. You can even sign up for subscription services where a fresh toothbrush will be sent to you every three months.

4 - Ditch cotton balls

Cotton balls and make-up remover pads end up in landfill, so why not invest in reusable make-up rounds or even make your own? Simply add warm water and cleanse your face, then pop them in a string bag and put them into the washing machine to wash and use again.

5 - Get a toilet tissue subscription

Buying loo roll is a fact of life, but you’ll never have to stock up at the supermarket again if you get a regular subscription to Pure Planet Club’s tree-free tissue paper. It’s a great option for the planet, your bum and your sanity! You’ll never be caught short again.

6 - Switch to soap and shampoo bars

The average person uses 11 bottles of shower gel and 10 bottles of shampoo a year – that’s a lot of plastic waste. Switching to old-school soap bars and shampoo bars saves money, bathroom space and the environment.

7 - BYO cutlery

Single-use plastic knives, forks and spoons need to go the way of the Dodo. Who actually likes eating with them anyway? Carry a small metal cutlery set with you so you can eat your takeout meal in style. Simply grab a set from home and roll in a napkin so you’ll always be prepared.

8 - Ditch single-use straws

While most cafes and bars have ditched plastic straws in favour of paper ones, go one better and invest in a reusable straw. Usually made from stainless steel or bamboo, reusable straws are easy to use and clean, and you won’t be contributing to the 180 billion plastic straws discarded every year.

9 - Try a mason jar meal

Forget packing soggy sandwiches or leftovers in stained Tupperware. Try packing your lunch in a mason jar instead – or any leftover clean jars, such as pasta sauce and jam jars. You can use them to transport salads, overnight oats, chia puddings, soups and noodle dishes. Yum!

10 - Choose reusable shopping bags

Investing in jute or cotton shopping bags is a great way to reduce or eliminate your use of plastic bags, which end up in landfill or the ocean. Large boxes such as the ones our tree-free tissue paper are delivered in are great for transporting your shopping too. Just keep some in the car so they’ll always be on hand for shopping trips.