OUR TOP SUGGESTIONS FOR PLASTIC FREE JULY
This Plastic Free July, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a Lentils and Lather veteran who has mastered the craft of refillable shopping or a curious novelist who passes our shop on the way to work but is yet to pop in, why not take a step towards being a part of the solution? From toilet roll to cashew nuts, there are tons of small changes you can make to cut down on plastic. But first, why are we waging war against plastic this month? And what is the state of the plastic problem in the UK?
Let’s break it down. In the UK we produce 5 million tonnes of plastic annually, equating to 1.8 trillion plastic bottles. This poses the question; how do you dispose of a mountain of plastic waste the size of Mount Crumpit from The Grinch every year? Well, recycling has long been the primary proponent for managing this waste, however, it’s now estimated that only 45% actually gets recycled. The other 55% ends up in landfill or worse; polluting the environment, harming wildlife and releasing greenhouse gases which in turn exacerbates climate change. We’ve all seen the episode of Blue Planet 2 where a hawksbill turtle gets caught up in a plastic sack. It’s heart-breaking to say the least. The fact is that even for those of us who meticulously sort our plastics to ensure what can be recycled is, plastic can still end up causing harm to the natural world.
A 2018 Greenpeace Unearthed investigation found heaps of British plastic waste in illegal dumps. From shampoo bottles to plastic fruit & nut bags the evidence was damming. More recently in 2021, UK plastic waste earmarked for recycling was found dumped or burnt in Turkey. So, is it time to face the facts and realise that single-use plastic is bad for the planet. No ifs, no buts – even if you recycle it is evident that what you buy can have consequences on the natural environment in one way or another.
EMPTY WORDS
Before we get stuck into our extensive range of plastic-free products that will make Plastic Free July a walk in the park, let’s address the elephant in the room…what are the UK government and big corporations such as Sainsbury’s doing about all this?
Well, the short answer is not enough. Ahead of the 2019 General Election, the Conservative Party pledged to end exports of plastic waste to low-income countries – shock, this has not happened. Sainsbury’s have pledged to cut plastic packaging by 50% by 2025, certainly a step in the right direction, however, this still means that a significant chunk of their huge range of products will still use single-use plastic in one way or another. The number needs to be much closer to zero. Progress so far has been too slow, so rather than relying on those who hold the power to enact change it is up to everyday people like you and me to take action and cut down on plastic waste where and when we can…and Plastic Free July is a great place to start!
Plastic Free July is a key initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, founded in 2017 by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and a small team in local government in Western Australia. From its humble beginnings, the initiative has boomed - with an estimated 326 million people across the world taking part in the challenge in 2020. As the challenge’s popularity has grown, so has it’s impact. The Plastic Free Foundation estimate that participants of Plastic Free July contribute to saving 940,000 tonnes each year. So, when you consider that the UK produces 5 million tonnes of plastic annually and it is just one country in the world, the importance of cutting down on plastic quickly becomes apparent. The following sections outline the large variety of products we offer to help you step up to the challenge, switching out single-use plastic for eco-friendly products which have a longer lifetime and are recyclable.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
1. Herbs and Spices
From oregano to garam masala, our shop is full to the brim with mason jars of every herb and spice you could ever wish for. So, whether you’re looking for some Italian seasoning (a blend of herbs, spices, garlic and sesame sesame) to give your tomato sauce the spark it is crying out for, or you want to learn to make your favourite curry from scratch, we’re here to help. What’s more, a recent study by Rehabilitating Earth found that our herbs and spices on average are cheaper than Sainsbury’s, demonstrating our commitment to making eco-friendly, ethical shopping affordable.
2. Grains, Rice and Pasta
How many time have you opened a plastic bag of pasta to only tear the bag, resulting in pasta all over the floor and with no where to put it? Maybe it’s a small thing, but when you bring a container to refill at Lentils and Lather you don’t have this problem. As well as avoiding pasta on your floor, our range of pasta, rice and grains is plastic free, locally sourced and organic where possible. Our quinoa for example, is organic and grow just down the road in the West Midlands. Locally sourced products such as these are not only good for you, they support local communities as well as the planet via a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions because they haven’t been flown halfway across the world to end up on your plate.
3. Fruit and Nuts
Say goodbye to plastic bag after plastic bag of almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. It’s simple, reuse a glass jar by filling it up with your favourite fruity, nutty delights. Our range of dried fruit and nuts will not disappoint and offer a healthy snack sure to satisfy. Nuts are high in protein, so they’re a great way of ensuring a balanced diet especially for those on plant-based diets. Furthermore, dried fruits are excellent for bursts of energy when you’re feeling low, whether that be at lunch time on a Friday or at half-time on the football pitch.
4. Specialty Items
It may surprise you, but so far we have barely touched the surface in terms of the plastic-free food we offer. The best way to explore our range is to pop in and check it our for yourselves - from tofu to oat milk to cereals, there is so much for you to discover!
BUBBLES AND BEAUTY
The first thing people tend to think of when they think about Plastic Free July is food, but did you know that we offer a variety of personal care and household products too? Just like our food, these products are ethical, locally sourced where possible and good for the planet.
1. In the Bathroom
You wake up feeling groggy and tired, so you jump in the shower to freshen up for the day ahead. Our range of refillable shampoo, conditioner and bodywash is locked and loaded to give you the plastic free shower experience you’ve been dreaming of. From Minimal’s pink grapefruit & aloe vera shampoo, to Faith in Nature’s tea tree conditioner we have an extensive range of luscious scents to help you to revive yourself.
You jump out of the shower and realise you need to shave, but instead of disposing of another razor blade to landfill, why not check out Jungle Culture’s reusable razor? This razor will last forever, and the only part that needs to be changed is the razor blade (one pack of five costs £0.80). Not only is this product fully recyclable, but in the long-term you’ll save a few quid!
As well as these changes, we want to help make plastic pollution from period products a thing of the past. We sell period care products that can help reduce waste, including reusable sanitary pads, organic cotton tampons, period cups and wet bags to help you to manage all of this when you’re on the go. Conventional pads contain up to five plastic bags worth of plastic, so why not try our comfortable, supportive plastic free alternatives? You may just surprise yourself.
Finally, teeth. No one likes to have stinky breath, but why can’t we have minty fresh breath without using plastic? Well, you can! We stock bamboo toothbrushes, dental floss and toothpaste all plastic free.
2. On the LOO
At this point you must be thinking, what more could there be? Well, we have bamboo toilet brushes, refillable toilet cleaner, packaging-free toilet rolls and hand soap to name a few of our products. Fancy something to read too? We recently started the Little Eco Library, a free book swap for anyone to use.
3. In the Kitchen
Washing up is a pain. We all hate it, but with high concentrations of microplastics found in Greater Manchester’s rivers, maybe it’s time to consider what we’re washing down our sink. Our sustainable scourers, scrubs and brushes offer an eco-friendly, compostable alternative (plus they last a really long time – we’re still using one at home that we got as a sample before we opened the shop!). As well as this, we have a range of refillable cleaning liquids, such as multi-surface cleaner, washing-up liquid, white vinegar and rinse-aid to help you attain plastic free guru status this July.
From cotton buds to condoms, we really do have it all! Of course, investing in all these plastic-free products is a big step, and if you feel up to it go for it. We’ll be here to support you every step of the way. However, if all of this a little overwhelming and life is just too busy at the moment, that’s also okay! Why not start with just one product? After all, every little change really does make a big difference.