Six ways to reduce your plastic consumption

It’s the single use disposable plastics that we can all try harder to refuse and replace with something else. We implement small steps at a time and get into the habit before taking on something else. This seems to be more sustainable for us than trying to change everything at once!

Here are six easy swaps to inspire you:

♥ Use Smelly Bags

How awesome is this product! We talked about this on Facebook one day and many of you said you liked getting plastic bags from the supermarket for dirty nappies, wet clothes etc. Well, Cindy came up with this fabulous idea to replace plastic bags for all of things like dirty nappies and wet clothes. She sent me a couple to try out and I love them!

The bag is reusable and environmentally friendly and you can whack it in the washing machine. Cindy has also added a name tag and strap and made them really durable and strong. No messy leaks either. Genius! It takes a mum to come up with these things!

Get Smelly Bags straight from Cindy at her website.

♥ Use a bamboo spork

I have been wanting one of these for ages and finally got one for myself to put in my handbag. When I eat out, I no longer have to use plastic cutlery. I feel like such an eco-warrior using this! The spork is lightweight, comes in the mesh bag and it’s made from sustainably harvested bamboo.

Get bamboo sporks here.

♥ Use stainless steel straws

Another thing that had been on my list, I grabbed a 4 pack of these from Biome on my recent trip to Brisbane. They also sell the little brushes to clean them with as well. No toxic plastic leaching into drinks now! The kids think they are fabulous and I like them using straws for drinking apple cider vinegar or juices.

Check out the stainless steel straws.

♥ Use stainless steel cups

These cups are on my wish list and the next thing I want to swap over. When we entertain, it feels easier to use disposable plastics but my heart sinks when I clean up and see all that waste! Washing these up really doesn’t take that long and I can lose the eco-guilt.

Get stainless steel cups here.

♥ Use produce bags

This is one change I made last year. They are a fantastic reusable alternative to all those plastic bags for your fruit and veges. They weigh virtually nothing and are easy to wash.

Get reusable produc bags here.

♥ Use food covers and wraps

I talk about these products all the time (can you tell I love them?) because they are so darn good. I have a whole collection of these and they have saved me from using plastic wrap. I just don’t buy it anymore and don’t even miss it.

These products just make it so easy to swap over. They are incredibly durable and have been through many washes and are still in perfect condition. I recommend them to anyone who will listen!

Get reusable food covers and wraps here.

What do you think? Are you keen to make some swaps?

(parts of this post are sponsored)

What I am reviewing today?

The Natural New Age Girl thought it was a shower cap!

Wrong! Although, at a pinch, you could very well use them for shower caps!

They are in fact, an ingenious solution to how to store food in the fridge without using plastic wrap.

We are always trying to lessen the amount of plastic we use in our home. Cling wrap on plates and bowls of leftovers was one area I struggled with! What else was going to keep it fresh and free from fridge odours?

Ta-dah! Enter the 4MyEarth® Food Covers!

What are they made from? Cotton and canvas with a biodegradable coating.

Are they reusable? Yes, just wash them up with a little soapy water and drip dry. You can also put them in the dishwasher or washing machine.

Do they come in different sizes? Yes, they come in four different sizes.

Do they come in different patterns? Yes, they come in plain and flower print.

What do you use them for? Once you start using the food covers, you will discover all different ways you can use them. Basically, anytime you would have used plastic wrap over a bowl or plate, use the food cover. They are great as I mentioned for leftovers in the fridge. The big bowl on the right in the picture has some Quirky Cooking Chicken and Brown Rice Soup in it. They also are handy for parties or bbqs to keep the flies off your salad bowls. Quite often when I am cooking, I need to let things stand, soak or prove and instead of a tea towel, the food cover is perfect.

Do they keep the food fresh? Yes! I found no discernible difference in freshness compared to using cling wrap.

Hang on, I have seen these in the supermarket – aren’t they vinyl with BPA? That’s why I have never purchased the supermarket ones! These food covers are BPA free, PVC Free and phthalate free. Totally food grade safe! Whew!

What about the company? Rebecca at 4 My Earth is a real natural, new age mum! She is committed to the environment and all her products must be ethically made and help in reducing our impact with reusable and where possible use organic materials. Another fabulous, Australian owned and run family business. They also sell lots of other cool stuff too – love their bamboo shawl so much!

Where do you get them from? You can get them straight from the lovely Rebecca online.

What’s the final verdict? I absolutely love the food covers. What a fantastic, eco-friendly idea. They are easy to use and wash and they have definitely cut down our plastic wrap use to a significant degree. No more eco-guilt!

Okay, so who would like to try some for themselves?

Rebecca is kindly giving away two of her value packs which contain four covers, one in each size.

This giveaway has now closed. The winners were Chon K and Fiona S!

This is how you enter:

* Be a blog subscriber. Add your email to the top right hand side of the blog.

* Be a 4 My Earth Facebook liker. Go here.

* Head over to the website and take a look at the food covers. Go here.

* Comment on this blog post, telling me which design you would prefer – the flowers or the plain with text.

Terms and conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents. It will close on Friday the 30th of November at midnite. The winner will be chosen from those meeting the entry requirements using random.org. Please make a note to check your emails to see if you have won! It will also be announced on this blog post.

Good luck everyone and thank you Rebecca at 4 My Earth!