Ten Ways To Be Zero Plastic During the Summer
Now that you are aware of the negative impacts of plastics, it is time to act. The best tips I could share to have a zero plastic summer are preparation, anticipation and mental resilience. Are you ready to discover our 10 ways to be zero plastic this summer?
1. Must Have: Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle, Cup with a Straw, and Lunch Box
The stainless steel bottle is an essential tool that you must always carry with you. You can fill it with your own filtered water. When you are outside and your bottle is empty, easy, just stop by a restaurant, coffee or bar and nicely ask them to fill it. The reusable cup with a straw and lunch box will serve you well for drinks and food takeaway.
2. Make Your Own Juices and Sodas
Choose a store selling bio fruits that grow naturally in regions nearby. To make your own juice, mix them with a blender.
To make your own iced tea, here is an easy recipe:
- Fill a jug with filtered water
- Add 3 spoons of green or black tea – preferably loose tea (rather than teabags or sachets)
- Add a syrup of your choice (optional)
- Add mint leaves (optional)
- Let it in the fridge few hours and then filter your iced tea
3. Prepare Your Sustainable Snacks
The most sustainable snacks are non-packed bio fruits, or dry fruits grown naturally in nearby regions. Anticipate your walks or hikes, and bring your own snacks with you (fruits, dry fruits, sandwiches…), in sufficient quantities.
4. Make Your Own Sunscreen
I found recipes proposing to mix the face cream with zinc oxide to obtain a homemade sunscreen. Zinc oxide is available at any pharmacy or even in specialized cosmetics shops.
5. Make a Zero Plastic Homemade Lip Stick
In a glass jar, melt 1 tablespoon of beeswax with 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil over a low heat or in a bain-marie. Stir until you reach a homogenous and liquid mixture , then remove from the heat and let it cool down.
6. Make a Zero Plastic Homemade Deodorizer
Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and (optional) 3 drops of essential oil of your choice.
7. Avoid Toiletry Plastic Samples in Hotels
Simple. Always have your own complete toiletry kit when you are traveling, to avoid using (by any means) shampoo, shower gel, creams, soaps samples offered by hotels.
8. Bring Your Own Non-Plastic Garbage Bags in Hotels
Although I am aware that current compostable bio sourced plastic bags are not much of a sustainable solution, I use them today until I find something better. At the hotel, use your own non-plastic garbage bags.
9. Avoid Summer Plastic Fashion
Everyone wants to look good during summer. However, remember that our clothes, swimsuits and shoes are made of plastic as well… Also, be aware that some vegan brands use plastic to make shoes.
Refuse, reduce, reuse… Sobriety and minimalism are the new cool.
10. Avoid Plastic Jewelry
Avoid buying summer barter plastic jewelry…
Again: Refuse, reduce, reuse… Sobriety and minimalism are the new cool.
Would you share with us your zero plastic summer tips?
