5 one-off decisions that will help the planet again, and again, (and again)

Plastic free July is upon us! And that means that there’s loads of great advice doing the rounds about reducing our waste– from replacing clingfilm with beeswax wraps, to taking reusable containers to the deli section.  

But we’re still human. Between packaging, hidden plastics, and forgetting our keep cups, it’s a huge challenge to go 100% plastic-free.  

When it comes to creating big, positive impact with minimum effort, we’re fans of the “set and forget” method. Here are our top hacks for decisions that you can make once, that help the planet again, and again, (and again).  

1. Set-and-forget a plastic-free toilet paper subscription

The fact that your average loo-roll is wrapped in single-use plastic is the lesser evil. Most TP is made from trees, which means that we’re wiping out forests with every... er... wipe. Set up a plastic-free, recycled-paper toilet paper subscription with Who Gives a Crap. You’ll never be stranded in a panic-buying shortage ever again!

2. Set-and-forget a cleaning and personal-care subscription

When we think of single use plastics, we often think of straws and cups. But what about the billions of bottles of cleaning liquid, laundry detergent and body wash that get used once and thrown away? Set-and-forget a home and body product subscription from ZeroCo. Their dispensers are made out of plastic trash cleaned up from the oceans, and products are delivered in returnable, refillable pouches. We also love ReCo, an Aussie startup providing returnable and refillable zero waste laundry products.  

3. Sign up for an endless designer wardrobe (without the landfill)

Aussies send on average 23kgs of fabric to landfill each year. The good news is that second hand stores like Vinnies are seeing a massive surge in popularity! Even if you’re not the op shopping type, you can still have a bottomless designer wardrobe, without harming the planet. Glam Corner’s affordable subscription gets you a monthly box of hired designer clothing, delivered to your doorstep.

4. Never be stuck without a keep cup again

Did you know that coffee cups can’t be recycled? They’ve got a plastic lining, so they can’t go in the paper bin. That means that more than a billion cups end up in Australian landfill every year. If you’re out and about without your reusable cup, download the Green Caffeen app to find a café near you that provides a free keep cup loan and return service. You can return your borrowed Green Caffeen cup to any participating café!  

5. Do an audit – get inspired

Notice where you create the most waste, and where you could make some simple swaps. Do you have a furry friend who goes through poop bags like there’s no tomorrow? Switch to compostable. Do you end each day with a mini mountain of makeup remover wipes? Swap to reusable pads. Need your coffee fix, but hate seeing capsules go in the bin? Invest in refillable pods. Stores like Flora and Fauna stock these products and more, for a cleaner, greener home and life.

Plastic is just the beginning

Our mission at Greener is to make doing good for the planet easy and automatic. Cleaning plastic out of our life is important, and so is removing the carbon emissions that cause climate change. That’s why we've promised our members that every purchase they make at our recommended Greener stores is carbon neutral – at no cost to them. It’s literally a set-and-forget way to do you bit to end climate change, and we can’t wait to share it with you!  

Make sure you’re on our early access waitlist.

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