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How & Where To Buy

So where  and how to buy your plastic free products? I try to apply as many of the following criteria as possible

Obviously first and foremost they have to be plastic free
Support independant shops.
Realistically I sometimes have to shop in supermarkets and chains. Then I have to consider which is the most ethical choice
Buy British made products
Support British companies
Online and plastic free

Plastic Free Products

By product. Organised by type, task, name, lifestyle hack and WHERE TO BUY right here

Local shops for local people

I love me my local shops and I make a real effort to buy local. Reasons why here.
Found this great directory of independent stores in Leeds

Loose Food Shops

Loose Food Find out if a shop near you sells bulk food loose.
Heres alist of towns with shops selling loose food.

Supermarkets & Chainstores  Yes you can get plastic free and zero waste stuff. Read up HERE.

Online;  It is possible to buy food online loose and plasticfree. You can even use your own cotton produce bags for some things. Read more here

Milk Delivered in glass bottles but double check before you order

Buying British

I also like to buy British made when ever possible and cut those  air miles – read more here.
Here are somethings you can still buy made in Britain.Find them HERE.
And if I can’t buy British made or from local shops, I at least like to buy from British owned companies.

Which Chain Should I Choose?

And let me say right now I’m not overly keen on chainstores. They are killing off the local shops and take money out of the community. Before you enter  please do consider shopping at your local shops. Reasons why here.
See all our chains/supermarket index here with links to the plastic free products available

On Line

Nothing more irritating then ordering a #plasticfree item to have it arrive swathed in plastic packaging.
These shops sell plastic free products and send them out in plasticless packages. Find them HERE

good shops Latest news

Found a company that makes all kinds of biodegradable things and send them a packaging free and less whether all night making themThe company is based in Sweden the product I made all over the world that have been carefully thought out and about incredible. They sell compostable mobile phone covers which is what I’m interested in but they also have pens and vegan dental floss.

And the self drying clay that comes plastic free. They also do a non-toxic stick in a recycled plastic tube so well obviously not entirely plastic free it might be an improvement.

They have cut a lot of the plastic out of the warehouse and transport so you know when you’re buying from them they really are trying to reduce the plastic behind the scenes as well as the stuff on the shelf.

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or

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Anything But Plastic Online Shop

Anything But Plastic sells alternatives to plastic products in order to reduce everyday plastic consumption and help tackle plastic pollution. As well as trying to provide plastic free alternatives, this shop wants its customers to make informed purchases and promote sustainable buying practices.

The aim of Anything But Plastic is to bring together as many as possible of the individual brands and companies that produce plastic free alternative products and provide a platform of convenience for the average consumer to purchase these goods. Cutting down on plastic should not have to be hard, inconvenient or time consuming. With this site I hope to get rid of these obstacles, which will hopefully bring about some positive change and make going plastic-free an easy choice.

Website:
www.anythingbutplastic.co.uk

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anythingbutplastic/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/trashplasticnow
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/anythingbutplastic/

More

This shop sells plastic free floss… and you know how hard that is to find.

Please note…
This post was written by the contributor. and  is  a PfU.K. Directory submission.

And the Pf U.K. Directory is…?
…a directory of UK-based groups, organisations businesses and individuals who are responding to the problems presented by the misuse of plastic. That does not mean anti-plastic necessarily but certainly plastic-problem aware.

The DIRECTORY is to promote their fantastic work. Read more here…

Got a project?
It is very easy to get a project featured. Each contributor submits a short synopsis of their project, focussing on the plastic aware element and I post it. You can read the submission guidelines here.

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Online shops for General and personal products

One of the real joys of buying #plasticfree is sourcing the stuff in local shops. The excitement when you see milk in glass bottle in the newsagents is beyond words. But sometime you have to buy on line. And then you come up against the prickly problem of packaging. There is nothing that enrages plastic activist in me more than researching a product that claims to be plastic free and environmentally friendly, purchase online, wait eagerly only to find it comes plastic packed.

Plastic free and plastic reduced products are of course a great step forward in the battle against plastic. But when I am buying a product I want to know how the product is packaged. There is little point buying a wooden comb if it comes in a plastic bag. If it comes via an online, postal service, onward packaging needs to be stated. I want to know how the product will be packed and the more information the better. Down to what kind of tape is used (whether it is plastic or not) and whether the invoice will be in a plastic bag on the front of the box.

Which is why I like he following companies who offer plastic free products but also consider the onward packaging.

N.B. But no matter what I say, check and double check for yourself. One mans plastic free is another’s little bit of sticky tape.

 


Sin Plastico
We are a plastic free and zero waste store. That means, we ask our makers and distributers to send us everything in bulk or with the less packaging as possible.
We do use Kraft and corrugate cardboard to wrap and fill the boxes. And even our tape is made of paper and vegetal glue.

They are based in Spain but ship to the UK. They have a great range. Check it out HERE

Based in the UK Is Boobalu with a great range of stuff

You will receive your order either in reused, recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Green mail bags are biodegradable and pink mail bags are recyclable. You can also choose plastic free packaging at the checkout page.


Less Plastic

always either reuse cardboard boxes that have come to us or our friends and neighbours, or use brown paper wrapping with brown paper tape. We pad our parcels with recycled/reused paper or newspaper. Also have you seen our infographic trying to inspire other online businesses to do the same? Visit the WEBSITE

And Keep

Please have a look at www.andkeep.com. Eco-friendly, sustainable and reusable products. Postal packaging is always recycled. I’m a public speaker on plastic Pollution too and passionate about helping people to make more mindful purchasing decisions while helping them on a plastic-Free or zero waste journey. All packaging is paper or cardboard.

Read more HERE

Ingreens

A great selection of stuff can be found HERE
We have asked all of our suppliers to refrain from using plastic when packing our items. In the factory world, poly bags, bubble wrap and stylofoam are commonplace. Understandably the items need to remain intact, yet not at the cost of the environment. So far, all suppliers have accommodated our no plastic.

Your parcels:For months in the lead up to the launch we have been saving packaging and also asked neighbours and friends to donate theirs. We haven’t invested in any packaging yet, when we do, we can assure you it will be from a sustainable source. At the moment, your orders are packaged in a circular economic way, that you can continue.
We make the ‘padding’ from shredding junk mail and books are falling apart.
Paper Parcel tape:We don’t use sellotape we use paper based tape that can be recycled or can biodegrade.

The aim of Anything But Plastic is to bring together as many as possible of the individual brands and companies that produce plastic free alternative products and provide a platform of convenience for the average consumer to purchase these goods. Cutting down on plastic should not have to be hard, inconvenient or time consuming. With this site I hope to get rid of these obstacles, which will hopefully bring about some positive change and make going plastic-free an easy choice.

Website:
www.anythingbutplastic.co.uk

More Here

For reviews of some products featured above and other categories for #plasticfree online shopping including food… yes #plasticfree food on line. And I don’t just mean vege boxes!

Some Reviews Here

Anything But Plastic Online Shop

Anything But Plastic sells alternatives to plastic products in order to reduce everyday plastic consumption and help tackle plastic pollution ...
Read More

Cleaning Liquid Refills

ECOVER  do all of these products and you can get your plastic bottle refilled. To find where Ecover have a refill ...
Read More

Fabric Offset Warehouse

Offset Warehouse is a social enterprise which brings together a huge range of hand-picked eco fabrics and haberdashery, ideal for ...
Read More

Greencane Tissues/ Paper Productsd

A while ago a company called Greencane sent me some tissues through the post. Not just tissues but toilet paper and kitchen ...
Read More

Handwash

I know a lot of people like a liquid hand wash. Personally I prefer soap but whatever. So this hand ...
Read More

Hodmedods – British Grown Beans, Grains & Pulses

Did you now you can get homegrown British beans, lentils (soon) and even Quinoa. Many of them organically grown…. Introducing ...
Read More

Loose Food On Line

One of the joys of living plastic free is mooching round the local shops seeing what you can source. And ...
Read More

Online shops for General and personal products

One of the real joys of buying #plasticfree is sourcing the stuff in local shops. The excitement when you see ...
Read More

Soap hard/bar

I use soap to wash my body (I don't like using soap on my face so I cleanse with oil and ...
Read More

Live Free Here

Our enormous index of #plasticfree products and lifestyle hacks has been updated. Have a look

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

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Supermarkets & Chainstores Index

And let me say right now I don’t like supermarkets. They are killing off the local shops and take money out of the community. But for many people they are the only option. So how to make your experience as ethical as possible?

But before you enter those hellish portals please do consider shopping at your local shops. Reasons why here.

Here are some suggestions to make your choice of chainstore shopping more ethical.

I prefer to shop in British owned chainstores if possible. These are my favourites

The Co-op in the UK
Waitrose is owned by staff in the John Lewis Partnership
Will Use Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries

But sometimes of course I have to go where the plastic free products can be found. Like salt in a cardboard box at Lidles. Its always a tradeoff.

Plastic Free News

Waitrose
Waitrose are cutting the use of plastic lined disposable cups in their cafes!
“We’re removing all disposable takeaway cups from our shops by the autumn.You can still enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee when you shop with us; remember to bring your own reusable cup and your myWaitrose card with you.#KeepYourCup 💚
This will save more than 52 million cups, 221 tonnes of plastic and more than 665 tonnes of paper a year.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/2Jwh0d2

The Co-op
Talking of hot drinks the The Co-op are meat to be introducing their own plastic free teabags . Though I have yet to find them!
For those of you who didn’t know, most teabags contain plastic. not just the packaging but actually in the bag.

Morrisons
Starting in May, Morrisons will be inviting customers to use their own containers when purchasing produce from the meat and fish counters in stores, in order to cut down on single-use plastic. Read more here.

Plastic Free Finds

Sometimes supermarkets can surprise you – check out the plastic-free and reduced packaging products here.

Boots

About ? Latest Plastic News ? They have a range of plastic free products. Other Products From Louises database BecoThings Potty ...
Read More

Cooperative Supermarket

Plastic free teabags For those of you who didn't know, most teabags contain plastic. not just the packaging but actually ...
Read More

Lidles

Lidles  is a chain of budget supermarkets. It offers some plastic free surprises. (Click the links to see a review ...
Read More

Lush plastic free products

lush are one of the more forward thinking British companies. They are ethical in all kinds of ways and  sell ...
Read More

Morrisons

A quick overview of some of the plastic free / reduced stuff you can get in Morrisons Supermarket, Huddersfield. A ...
Read More

Tescos

I have one near me so I tend to visit more often then I think is ideal. here are some ...
Read More

The Range – a chain of home & garden shops

Loose pet food, home wares and some loose sweets. Being committed to local shopping, I prefer to buy that way ...
Read More

U.K. Owned Chainstores

And let me say right now I'm not overly keen on chainstores. They are killing off the local shops and ...
Read More

Waitrose

Waitrose are cutting the use of plastic lined disposable cups in their cafes! "We're removing all disposable takeaway cups from ...
Read More

Whole Food Market U.K. Chain

Rushing through the Cheltenham suburbs, had to buy wine so lurched into the huge carpark of an out of town ...
Read More

Wilkos

Did you know you can buy loose screw and other fixings at Wilcos - as many or as few as ...
Read More

My Favourite Chains Are…

The Co-op in the UK is owned by it’s members. That’s you. So do use that whenever possible. Sadly they are bad for packaging. Write and tell them.

Waitrose is owned by staff in the John Lewis Partnership and do some excellent plastic free buns and bread.

Will Use

Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.[3] It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by profits[4][5] and ninth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues. It has shops in seven countries across Asia and Europe and is the market leader of groceries in the UK (where it has a market share of around 28.4%),
Wikipedia

Not so keen on

ASDA

Asda Stores is a British supermarket retailer, “headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire.[5] The company was founded in 1949 when the supermarket owning Asquith family merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire. It expanded into the south of England during the 1970s and 1980s, and acquired Allied Carpets, 61 large Gateway Supermarkets and other businesses, such as MFI, then sold off its acquisitions during the 1990s to concentrate on the supermarkets. It became a subsidiary of the American retail giant Walmart after a £6.7 billion takeover in July 1999” wikkipedia

While Sainsburys is a British company
“As of February 2018, the largest overall shareholder is the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, the Qatar Investment Authority, which holds 21.99% of the company.[6] It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
In April 2018, Sainsbury’s entered talks with Walmart about a proposed merger with Asda, which could form the largest UK supermarket company.[7]
“The Qatar Investment Authority is Qatar’s state-owned holding company that can be characterized as a National Wealth Fund. It specializes in domestic and foreign investment. Wikipedia”  and Walmart? No thanks. So while I might be able to get paper wrapped butter at Sainsbury’s (check out the cheese counter), Im not sure I like their politics.

Morrison plc are listed on the London stock exchange. Whilst the majority of investors are British or British companies or pension funds, these investments can be held by anyone around the world.

Plasticfree Finds

But sometimes of course i have to go where the plastic free products can be found. Like salt in a cardboard box at Lidles. Its always a tradeoff. See all our supermarket posts here

The biggest supermarket chains in the UK, by market share are:
Tesco (27.8%)
Sainsbury’s (15.8%)
Asda (15.3%) American
Morrisons (10.4%)
Aldi (7%) german owned
Co-op (6.3%) owned by its U.K. members
Lidl (5.2%) german owned
Waitrose (5.1%)
Iceland (2.1%)
Ocado (1.4%)
from the bbc

If you want to buy from a British chain company, I have listed some  HERE

Widely Available At Most Supermarkets

Bread Mixes – Paper
Laundry Powder – Cardboard, no scoop
Fruit and Vegetables – Bulk, take your own bags
Instore Butcher, Deli, Fish Counters and Bakery- Bulk, take bags and containers
Flour, Sugar, Eggs and Oats – Almost always available in paper or card
Frozen Produce in Cardboard – Linda McCartney, Fish (MSC), Potato Waffles Shake box to check there’s no plastic inside

The Rest

Hooray for Louise Bayfield and her  “POSTIVE PRODUCTS LIST (UK) a list of High Street and Supermar-ket products that have no packaging or in some way help reduce packaging.”

The List
The original PDF will be updated as  Louise shops around so do check back there for updates. 

Remember not all stores stock all products. It might be wise to check ahead if you are making a special visit.
There may well be other products that have not been listed.
Feel free to add your finds in the comments box belew.

Once again thank you  Louise for such a fantastic resource!

Homesence

Castile Soap, Larger bottles – Packaging varies but mostly plastic
Shampoo/conditioner/shower gel/ Bath – Very large bottles, sometimes organic and glass packaging
Soap Bars, sometimes organic- Beautifully wrapped in paper/card – Good gifts
Candles – Often votives in glass or metal tins with no packaging or cardboard box
Glassware – Recycled water glasses and sometimes goblets, No packaging other than a small sticker to base.
Many home items are unpackaged other than a price sticker. Some items are surplus. A good place to look for
Zero Waste Kitchenalia – Glass Jars, Stainless Steel Water Bottles, Insulated Travel Mugs, Tea strainers/Infusers,
Reusable Silicone Bakeware, Wooden Brushes, Scrubbers, Coffee presses, Wooden Boards, Wooden Bowls etc…
Some will be in cardboard or unpackaged with sticker.

Ikea

Crisp breads – Paper
Kilner style Jars – Good value – Paper and sticker
Loose sweets pick & mix stall with paper bags

Ocado

Cake Mix, Wright’s – Paper
You cleaner refills – A concentrated eco cleaner in small plastic bottles

Poundland

Selection of glass kilner style jars – great for those on a budget
String

Robert Dyas

Borax Substitute, Dri-pac – Cardboard

Staples

Toilet Tissue, Maxima – 100% recycled – Large cardboard box, no inner tubes
Toilet Rolls, 8 pack – 100% recycled – Plastic wrap, recycle at Sainsbury’s
Envelopes, various sizes, business size bulk packs – 100% recycled – Cardboard box
Tea and Coffee – Huge catering size packs, various packaging, shake box to check there’s no plastic inside

T.K. Max

A write up here from Liz Hodge.

Missed Some?

If you have a review of a supermarket please send us a link and we will add it. Leave the link in the comments below.

Which Chain

Here are a few tips to help you choose a supermarket. Some are more ethical than others. or you might want to buy from a British company. Read more HERE>

 

Shopping Tips

If you want to buy loose, you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.
The plastic free freak should remember that
metal lids to glass jars are of course plastic lined .
Tin and cans including those for cosmetics are also plastic lined
Paper and foil wraps will be plastic lined.

Choose Well
If you really can’t do without it and you have a choice a plastic wrapped products, choose to buy the one in simple plastics that can easily be recycled

More Ways To Buy Food

Here is a list of food types category with purchase details
Loose Food
Find out if a shop near you sells bulk food loose. This is stuff that that normally comes plastic packaged. A list of towns with shops selling loose food.

Milk 
Delivered in glass bottles but double check before you order

Other Considerations

Whole food Market A supermarket case study
How to eat plastic free Buying only from supermarkets HERE.

Buy British and cut those air miles. Some ideas HERE

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

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Waitrose

Waitrose are cutting the use of plastic lined disposable cups in their cafes!
“We’re removing all disposable takeaway cups from our shops by the autumn.You can still enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee when you shop with us; remember to bring your own reusable cup and your myWaitrose card with you.#KeepYourCup
This will save more than 52 million cups, 221 tonnes of plastic and more than 665 tonnes of paper a year.
Find out more: HERE

They also have the a range of plastic free products. Find them in our facebook gallery here

Other Products

From Louises database

Bakery, rolls, cakes, fancy cakes and childrens decorated biscuits – Bulk

Borax Substitute, Dri-pac – Cardboard – Larger stores only
Bread Mix, good selection – Paper
Cat Litter, Waitrose wood pellets – Recycled wood and paper packaging
Coconut Oil, Groovy Food, Organic – Glass Metal
Coffee – Free with my Waitrose card – Take own cup
Dishwasher Powder – Cardboard
Fish Fingers, Birds Eye 30 MSC – Big pack to save on packaging – Cardboard
Juice Bar – Could ask for a refill ? – Not available in all stores
Neal’s Yard Products – Glass can be returned to Neal’s Yard shops for refund
Naty Nature Care Nappies – Biodegradable
Oats – Flahavan’s, Mornflake, Quaker – Paper and cardboard
Soap Bars – Including organic – Paper and Cardboard
Toilet Rolls, 9 pack, 100% recycled – Plastic wrap (recycle at Sainsbury’s)
Vinegar, Sarson’s distilled White 568ml – Glass Bottle
YOU cleaner refills – A concentrated eco cleaner refill in plastic

Louises Data Base?
Louise Bayfields   “POSTIVE PRODUCTS LIST (UK) a list of High Street and Supermar-ket products that have no packaging or in some way help reduce packaging.”

The List
The original PDF will be updated as  Louise shops around so do check back there for updates. 
Remember not all stores stock all products. It might be wise to check ahead if you are making a special visit.
Once again thank you  Louise for such a fantastic resource!

Shopping Tips

If you want to buy loose, you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.

Sneaky Plastics

The plastic free freak should remember that
metal lids to glass jars are of course plastic lined .
Tin and cans including those for cosmetics are also plastic lined
Paper and foil wraps will be plastic lined.
Find other sneaky plastics here….

Choose Well
If you really can’t do without it and you have a choice a plastic wrapped products, choose to buy the one in simple plastics that can easily be recycled

More

see all our supermarket info HERE.
Find out more about the individual products here via the food index
Other places to buy unpackaged food are listed here

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

post

Sainsburys

About Sainsburys

While Sainsburys was a British company
“As of February 2018, the largest overall shareholder is the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, the Qatar Investment Authority, which holds 21.99% of the company.[6] It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
In April 2018, Sainsbury’s entered talks with Walmart about a proposed merger with Asda, which could form the largest UK supermarket company.[7]
“The Qatar Investment Authority is Qatar’s state-owned holding company that can be characterized as a National Wealth Fund. It specializes in domestic and foreign investment. Wikipedia”  and Walmart? No thanks. So while I might be able to get paper wrapped butter at Sainsbury’s (check out the cheese counter), Im not sure I like their politics.

The Ethics Of Shopping

For more information on how to shop, why local and all about chainstores can be found here

However they do do

Butter, farmhouse, located near deli – Paper
Dishwash powder in a cardboard box

Other Products

From Louises database
Baking Powder, sachets – Paper and cardboard
Bicarbonate of Soda, sachets – Can anyone confirm packaging?
Berries, Frozen Basics – Plastic bag only – Return to store
Cake Mix, Wright’s – Paper
Cat Litter, Bio catolet – Litter and packaging have green credentials
Dishwasher Powder – Cardboard with small metal pourer – Works well in smaller quantities
Ecover Washing Powder – Large boxes – Cardboard
Fish Fingers, Birds Eye 30 MSC – Big pack to save on packaging – Cardboard
Lasagne Sheets, Basics – Windowless Cardboard
Naty Nature Care Nappies – Biodegradable
Oats, Quaker and Flahavan’s – Cardboard /
Pizza Bar – Larger Stores – Has anyone brought one unwrapped yet?
Double Edge Razor Blades 10’s– Cardboard and small plastic cover
Soap Bars, various including organic – Cardboard
Spaghetti 3kg – Plastic – Can be brought back to store for recycling
Toilet Paper, 100% recycled, 6 space saving rolls – Plastic wrap can be recycled in store
Vinegar, Sarson’s distilled White 568ml – Glass bottle, plastic cap
Washing Powder, Own Brand – Cardboard – no plastic scoop

Plastic bag recycling bins in store entrance – Sainsbury’s products with this type of packaging are clearly marked.Any brands can be deposited but check they are plastic and not film. As a rule film cleanly tears and is louder when crunched, plastic is softer and stretches when pulled.

Louises Data Base?
Louise Bayfields   “POSTIVE PRODUCTS LIST (UK) a list of High Street and Supermar-ket products that have no packaging or in some way help reduce packaging.”

The List
The original PDF will be updated as  Louise shops around so do check back there for updates. 
Remember not all stores stock all products. It might be wise to check ahead if you are making a special visit.
Once again thank you  Louise for such a fantastic resource!

Shopping Tips

If you want to buy loose, you will need to take your own reusable packaging – produce bags, tupperware even compostable disposables. You can find them here.

Sneaky Plastics

The plastic free freak should remember that
metal lids to glass jars are of course plastic lined .
Tin and cans including those for cosmetics are also plastic lined
Paper and foil wraps will be plastic lined.
Find other sneaky plastics here….

Choose Well
If you really can’t do without it and you have a choice a plastic wrapped products, choose to buy the one in simple plastics that can easily be recycled

More

see all our supermarket info HERE.
Find out more about the individual products here via the food index
Other places to buy unpackaged food are listed here

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

post

U.K. Owned Chainstores

And let me say right now I’m not overly keen on chainstores. They are killing off the local shops and take money out of the community. Before you enter  please do consider shopping at your local shops. Reasons why here.

But if you must buy from them perhaps you should consider buying from British owned.

Here are some options….

Books & Stationary

W.H. Smiths

Personal Care

Lush have a good ethical track record. and do some great plastic free stuff. Read more here.

Department Stores 

Marks & Spencers British, are reasonably green and they do reuse their coat hangers! apparently!

John Lewis is a chain of high-end department stores operating throughout the United Kingdom. The chain is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, which was created by Spedan Lewis, son of the founder, John Lewis, in 1929. Wikipedia
Customer service: 01698 545454
Headquarters: London
Founder: John Lewis
Founded: 1864
Subsidiaries: Waitrose Limited, John Lewis Properties plc, MORE
Parent organization: John Lewis Partnership

30 things you didn’t know about John Lewis

4. John Lewis is owned by its permanent staff who are called ‘partners’ and the profits are shared amongst them every year.

Read more: https://www.insider-trends.com/30-things-you-didnt-know-about-john-lewis/#

DIY & Garden

B&Q plc is a British multinational DIY and home improvement retailing company, headquartered in Eastleigh, England, United Kingdom and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kingfisher plc. Founded by Richard Block and David Quayle in 1969 originally as Block & Quayle, the retail chain offers over 40,000 products across 300 physical shops and online.

Kingfisher plc is a British multinational retailing company headquartered in London, with regional offices located across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in locations such as Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.[4] It is the largest home improvement retailer in Europe, and the third largest in the world (behind The Home Depot and Lowe’s).

Screwfix is the United Kingdom’s largest multi channel retailer of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. Wikipedia
Customer service: 0333 011 2112
Headquarters: Yeovil
CEO: Graham Bell (7 Jul 2017–)
Founded: 1979
Revenue: 1.299 billion GBP (2016–2017)
Parent organization: Kingfisher plc

Robert Dyas is a UK hardware retailer founded in London in 1872. It sells a range of housewares, small electrical appliances, gardening products, kitchenwares, DIY, and consumer electronics throughout 96 shops, mainly in Greater London and South East England, as well as online.Wikipedia

Others

Air Miles & Buying British

One of the joys of living plastic free is mooching round the shops seeing what you can source. Better still if ...
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Swimwear Recycled

Well my Decathlon, unsustainable boy shorts have finally fallen apart and it is time to source some new, more ethical ...
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Clothes – Shop Bought

I have started making my own clothes but some things are beyond me. Tee shirts, underwear and Jeans / trousers are ...
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Shea Butter Leeds

This is a quick introduction to Shea Butter Semi soft buttery oil. Read more about butter oils and waxes here ...
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Citric Acid

Can be bought in a cardboard box without a plastic liner from Wilcos. Find more plastic free stuff as stocked ...
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Wilkos

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More

Use your local shops Reasons why here.
Buy British and cut those air miles. Some ideas HERE

Check out lots of buying options here

 

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

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Refill/Bulk/Zerowaste Stores

Bulk buy or refill stores are places you can buy all kinds of food like rice, suet, even soup mix – loose and unpackaged.
You take as much as you want/need from a larger container, weigh and pay.
You can usually use your own packaging.
The advantages for the #plasticfree shopper hardly need stating!
These are common in America and Australia, far less so in the U.K. But we do have some.
I have put together a list of stores that sell loose products, listed alphabetically by the location / place name.
If you know of others please add them, with as many details as possible, in the comments box below and I will incorperperate them.

Packaging

While these shops provide bags and they are almost always plastic ones. You will need to take your own plastic-free /reusable bags, tubs and bottles.

Tare

The weight of the container may make a difference at checkout. Some shops  subtract the tare weight but other don’t. The tare weight is the weight of the empty container.

Latest Loose Food Shop

from Twitter

Popped to the fantastically named @weighahead in Dunblane, a new #zerowaste shop near #Stirling. Highlights were finding packaging-free bar soap and stocking up on staples without any single-use plastic. We’ll be back! 

Jarfull Ltd

“Our shop all being well will be open sometime in the first couple of weeks of December. We will announce the confirmed date when we have done a little more decorating so please follow our social media pages to keep informed. “From their website

@jarfulluk

2 Bower Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5BQ

Heard of one in Chapel Allerton. will be checking that out later.

A to Z of Refill Shops

A

Aberystwyth read more here

B

Barmouth Weigh & Save Travelled on to Barmouth on the Welsh coast. It was hot and sunny and the tourists were out in force. I don’t like it like that. I only stayed  for the excellent weigh and save shop (read more about them here…)  called the Weigh Out This sold (amongst other stuff), loose 

  • pasta
  • powdered milk
  • cystalised ginger
  • cocoa
  • roasted peanuts
  • dried fruit
  • sunflower seeds
  • bran flakes

Barnsley 

Market Got a loose lettuce pickled beetroot Cheese from the cheese stall shoes by Loake – British made 

Weigh To Save

Visited Weigh To Save and yes they did loose cocoa. This stall has just recently opened at 1 Metropollian Centre May Day Green, Barnsley S70 1SX Closes 4:30PM 01226 772239 “Unique Market Stall selling a range of dried products, choose your amount & weigh to save.Products include, Nuts, Dried Fruit, Cereals, Rice, flours, sugars, other baking products, washing powder, herbs and spices all at reasonable prices. Helping to save the planet with no unnecessary packaging, you can even bring your own reusable containers. see for yourself in Barnsley’s inside market, Unit 13 Market parade(old semi open market under multi storey car park).” Photos diary of my visit here 

Bath

KathrynH (https://secondhandtales.wordpress.com) had this to say “Just noticed that our Holland& Barrett store in Bath has some loose items (mostly nuts) but you can also buy, and then refill, bulk oils in glass jars. It’s quite a large store but wondered if other branches were doing the same?” Bath store – NewLeaf HealthFoods, 29 Shaftesbury Road, Bath, BA2 3LJ Happy to preweigh your container with what you are going to fill it with. Bulk bins of nuts, flour, sugar, grains, dried fruit and more. Loose herbs and spices. Ecover refills. 

Blandford Forum

thanks for the add. I thought zero-wasters living in Dorset might be interested to know about my wholefoods store, Cariad Wholefoods, in Blandford Forum. We’re still quite new but sell lots of wholefoods, herbs, spices and botanicals loose. We also have a refill station for Bio-D cleaning products, loose soaps, etc. Everything we sell is ethically sourced, cruelty free and suitable for vegans and we are happy to take bulk orders and work with food co-operatives. It’s a growing business and my personal dream to sell as much as possible unpackaged over the coming months. Hope that some of you will visit 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/cariadwholefoods/ 

Bridlington 

Weigh & Save 

Brighton 

HiSbe We’re an independent supermarket standing up for how it Should be. We help people cut down on plastic packaging by selling many items by weight, including fruit, veg, pasta, rice, sugar, lentils, cous cous, porridge oats and chocolate buttons! HiSbe Website Hello! My shop, Wastenot, is in Brighton and offers dried produce, loose organic fruit and veg, cleaning product and bathroom product refills as well as plastic free household and beauty items! My website is http://www.wasenotshop.com 

Bristol

Bristol has a few: Scoop away- http://www.scoopawayhealthfoods.co.uk/ and Wild Oats – http://woats.co.uk/. Also worth mentioning if you’re a member of Bristol university or affiliated in any way there’s an amazing food co-op which is worth checking out: https://www.facebook.com/HungryCaterpillarCoop/?fref=ts 

Brixam 

Weigh & Save 

Burley in Wharfedale “Waste Not The Grange, Station Road, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7ND, UK
do shampoo refills as well as lots of other stuff. more details here

Buxton 18.1 Day Zero in Buxton. A great little family run refill shop. Very friendly and helpful in giving advice on how to make changes. Also responds to the customer to try and source plastic free products should there be a request for it.

C

Camarthen
“There’s the ‘green scoop’ in Camarthen
http://www.thegreenscoop.com
9 Hall Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1PH”

Cardiff
Cardiff- Ripple in Roath. Zero waste shop

Chichester
Chichester has Refilled Chichester at Drapers Yard, The Hornets. Drapers Yard also has other plastic free friendly shops including Zest for Taste which does oil and vinegar refills and Bear Boy Fresh with local organic veg and a milk refill station .

Cleethorpes
Spill the Beans St Peter’s Avenue #cleethorpes now have paper bags out as an alternative to plastic. If you’ve not been here PLEASE check if out! Loads of fab whole foods plus cereals Baking stuff and more #cleethorpes #discovernel #totallylocallyne

D

Dundee
Little Green Larder opened in Dundee today

E

Edinburgh

The new leaf co-op that offers a wide variety of stuff package free. Bulk stuff includes washing up liquid ontap, laundry liquid on tap, hair care, loads of spices, flour, müsli, beans & pulss, grains, rice, dred fruit, nuts, seeds, vinega, oil, soy sauce and much more. It’s an incredible place! They also have a very nice website where you can read all about them and their products. Here is a snippet “The New Leaf Co-op is collectively owned and managed by the people who work here, and we have chosen to put our principles right at the heart of our business.Our aim is 1simple: To offer affordable, healthy vegetarian wholefoods, with a focus on organic, locally sourced and fairtrade products, with as little packaging as possible. We carry more than 150 different lines of food and household products for customers to scoop and refill themselves, and our range is ever growing!” 

Gin!!!!

To be truly plastic free, you may have to set up a still in the back garden!  Unless you can get to one of these liquid delis. 

Demijohn offer a spirits, liquor and other drinks refill service in

Edinburgh 32 Victoria Street Edinburgh EH1 2JW 0131 225 4090 

Bloggers

Check out Scottish blogger Westywrites for Scottish based plastic freeness  

Emsworth 

in Hampshire  – Pantry Weigh. Thanks to Emma for this info “There’s a small shop called Pantry Weigh in Emsworth in Hampshire  https://www.yell.com/biz/pantry-weigh-emsworth-763392/ 

G

Glasgow

Many thanks to Lord Cut Grass for this Locavore in Glasgow is another one for your list. Grows and sells its own locally grown vegetables and can buy grains, rice, pasta, etc in your own container. 66 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow, G41 2AN http://glasgowlocavore.org/

Harvest Co-op is another place in Glasgow where you can bring your own containers to buy in bulk. 1143 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 3YH http://www.harvestco-op.com/

Whole foods And there is always the Glasgow branch of Wholefoods. 124-134 Fenwick Rd, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6XN, UK Do I sound excited? By a supermarket? Well yes I am. And the reason? This supermarket sells food loose and unpacked. I don’t just mean meat or vegetables (though that too) but nuts, spices and other dried commodities. The kind of stuff that usually comes swathed in plastic! They do a good range of rice, dried beans and pulses and more unusual stuff like blue popcorn, dried cherries and unroasted peanuts. Read more here See our Facebook Album here 

H & I

Horsham!

A surprise discovery on a day trip to Horsham! Town & Country Weigh is at 7 East Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1HH. It has bulk food bins for rice (long grain, short grain, arborio, basmati), dried pulses (e.g. black eyed beans, chickpeas, butter beans, red lentils), flours (including rye flour and potato flour), milk powder, and a wide variety of muesli ingredients. Thanks to Kake for the above write up.  Please, if anyone knows of any more, do add them to the list! Hull Heres a new one for the list Alans Naturally Health food/scoop and save shop 13 South Street Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU1 3QG Huddersfield List of shops and markets here 

Hythe

in Kent I found another Loose Food shop called U Weigh in Hythe in Kent the address is 51 High Street Hythe, Kent, CT21 5AD Facebook address is https://www.facebook.com/uweigh What Are Refill Stores? Bulk buy or refill stores are places you can buy food loose.You take as much as you want/need from a larger container and you can usually use your own packaging.  

J&K

Kingsbridge

Save A Packet: http://www.saveapacket.org.uk
8 The Anchor Centre, Bridge Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1SB

L

London Shops

Earth Natural Foods,
200 Kentish Town Road, London, NW5 2AE
Open 8.30am – 7pm, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays. Great review on Refuge For Daffodils

And another from Laurie Pym
I went to Earth Natural Foods on Tuesday. Bought some loose herbs and will be headed back there to get coffee & more soon! Still no taring, and it was quite difficult to use my own containers as I hadn’t read the A Refuge for Daffodils review in advance. Foolish me brought heavier containers. However, I used the available kraft paper bags, which I labelled with the seed and /kg price (as they request). Once bought, I put all bags in a Kilner jar to keep them fresh. When I got home I gently opened the bags, which I will reuse when we need more herbs. smile emoticon It is a lovely, LOVELY shop, which I will continue to patronise!

Bumblebee Natural Foods

To see what loose foods they do read this great review by Kake of Croydon

Food For All

A blog worth keeping an eye on this month is Junk Free January as they try to live without packaging for a month. I am sure lots of useful info will be sourced. Already another loose fill shop has been found. The following is taken from the blog….

“The hero of the day was Food for All, on Cazenove Road next to Stoke Newington railway station. The last shop on my search, I was pretty glum by the time I got here, but cheered up right away. This small independent shop has a friendly atmosphere, good ethics, good prices, and a huge range of loose goods – all the herbs, spices and teas you can think of and more, meusli, different kinds of rice, lentils, etc. “

The Big Table

http://www.thebigtable.net/ 45 Chatsworth Rd, London E5 0LH

Mother Earth
https://www.facebook.com/MotherEarthLondon
282 St Pauls Rd / 5 Albion Parade / 101 Newington Green Rd
London, United Kingdom

Planet Organic Muswell Hill
http://www.planetorganic.com/unpackaged-at-planet-organic/

111/117 Muswell Hill Road, Muswell Hill
London
N10 3HS

Whole Foods Market  

Whole Food Market – if we have to have supermarkets let them be like this….

Tooting

I just wanted to share with anyone else living in London (especially others in S / W London) that there are two sweet stalls/shops in Tooting Market- Get Juiced! (That sell vegan drinks, food and bulk products – they are also likely to go zero waste soon!) And Nuff Cosmetics that sells bulk cocoa butter , shea butter, natural unpackaged soaps etcetc. Really refreshing to find these two in this area!

Croydon – great write up by Kake who gives this shop a very good press

The rest

Leeds 

read a review here. 

Leicester 

Leicester now has a zero waste shop https://zerowasteleicester.co.uk/ 

Lincoln

Gaia Wholefoods in Lincoln Central Market Lincoln, Lincolnshire 07891 370197 Nicola, the proprietor sells whole food that she bags up but is willing to weigh out into your own containers if you give her enough notice. Thanks to Not Quite A Vegan for that 

M

Manchester Village Green Co-op

Prestwich Village Greens is a Community co-operative grocery in Prestwich with fresh, local, organic, affordable produce . For the plastic free amongst us it has some loose, self-service products in dispensers on the wall including Oats Muesli base Chia seeds Pumpkin seeds Hemp seeds Sunflower seeds Lentils Brown Rice I was pleased! Lentils and brown rice which have been off the menu until now. Yay! There was also paper wrapped butter and milk in glass bottles. Loose , organic veg including some unwrapped lettuce. Loose soaps, health care and Natura menstrual products. Plus some cocoa from Suma that I have to investigate. And really good fresh bread. They do Ecover refills you have to ask at the counter Well worth a visit. Check out the photo album on Facebook pastedGraphic_2.png

0

OXFORD

Welcome to SESI
We are Oxford’s longest serving refill station of food products and household detergents.

SESI has its own range of laundry and household detergents which create no packaging waste from factory to consumer.  They are also effective cleaners, environmental and cheap.  We also offer refills of some well known products from Bio-D, Ecover and Faith in Nature.

The SESI food depot offers a growing range of fairtrade, organic and local foods.

We exist to help you minimise packaging waste and access the best products at a reasonable price.  We reduce packaging by encouraging customers to bring their bags, bottles and tubs for refill at our depot or at our farmers market stall.

All 250 refills and food/household products we hold as depot stock are available to order through this website.  You can download a catalogue of 5000 more! For tips on how to get the best out of this website go to ‘More About Ordering’.Please note we don’t take payment when you place an order – pay us on delivery or collection.  We accept cash, cheque or you can now pay by card.

P

Plymouth
Ethica: http://www.facebook.com/EthicaVeganStore/
155 Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1HY
Refills for detergent, shampoo, washing up liquid etc; soap bars, non-plastic toiletries, cleaning items
Blog post includes trip to Ethica https://ourrubbishblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/a-clean-break/

Peterborough
Backyard Food in Peterborough is an ethical shop looking to enhance the availability of local, organic, fairtrade, vegan, plastic-free products. It stocks food, household products and toiletries as refills. Recently re-launched, they plan to expand their current range of refills – https://www.facebook.com/backyardfoodpeterborough

Penzance

15B Causewayhead
Penzance
Cornwall TR18 2SN

One of the incredibly eccentric loose food outlets that can occasionally be found huddled under the idiosyncratic Weigh and Save umbrella. You can read more about them here…
This is a good one selling all manner of loose food stuffs. I stocked up on

  • raisins,
  • sunflower seeds
  • dried apricots
  • brown rice
  • COCOA!!!

Blog post about our visit to ‘Save A Packet’ and ‘Weigh Inn’ (Penzance) https://ourrubbishblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/03/the-incredible-bulk-stores/

R

Ramsbottom

Fulfilled: Plastic free shop

@FulfilledShop

Ramsbottom plastic free/zero waste food & household shop. now open! North West, England

S

Sheffield We are OPEN!!

Come along and check out our huge range of spices, refills of cleaning products, household items and plastic free wholefoods- we’re open until 6pm today! link here

Southampton

Jen ‏@choose_to_reuse   says Got some bulk dry food today from @RiceUpLtd – a #zerowaste haven! #choosetoreuse

Rice Up Wholefoods @RiceUpLtd We are an ethical (Vegan, GM Free, Eco/Organic friendly) mini supermarket. We are run as a Workers Coop. Open 10am-6.30pm (5.30pm Sat and closed Sunday)

T


Thatcham
Can you please add Thatcham Refillable to the list. We are in Thatcham near Newbury in Berkshire.
http://www.thatchamrefillable.co.uk
We sell refill household cleaning & personal care products daily and we hold a monthly market where we have stall holders selling dried food and other eco products from our shop.

Tiverton
Todmorden
Totnes

W
Plastic Free Places that start with the letter W can be found here

Including
Watford
Wimborne
Winscombe
Worcester

XYZ
York

A to Z

Pain Au Chocolat - home bake Pain Au Raisen - Home Bake Yorkshire Puds Fruits of the forest and other soft fruits Roast veg - peppers to potatoes Uncooked Vegetables ...
Read More
Lidles  is a chain of budget supermarkets. It offers some plastic free surprises. (Click the links to see a review and other options). Take your own bags Lidl Stiftung & ...
Read More
Vegetable oil is difficult to source plastic free. Buy in glass and the metal caps will have a little plasticized disc or plastic liner on inside and maybe a plastic seal ...
Read More
Here are some independent Tea & Coffe merchants. You may need to take your own bags Leeds The Teapot has coffee beans and leaf tea from all round the world. Really lovely ...
Read More
Loose pet food, home wares and some loose sweets. Being committed to local shopping, I prefer to buy that way whenever possible. I would encourage you to do the same ...
Read More
Long time ago when I was young we used to visit the Weigh & Save shop in the precinct down the road. In it were a number of  big bins ...
Read More

U.K. Wide

.

Other Supermarkets & Chainstores
Sometimes supermarkets can surprise you – check out the plastic-free and reduced packaging products here.

Remember
While these shops provide bags and they are almost always plastic ones. You will need to take your own

Find A Milk Delivery Service With Glass Bottles

Here 

 

Online


This is an interesting option that allows you to buy basic foods on line plastic free.
You can even use your own produce bags. Read more
HERE

Ask A Local

A great source of info is the Plastic Is Rubbish FB support group. We have people everywhere who,are ready to help. Join up join in.

Please add any shops you know of in the comments below and I will incorporate them into the post.
Links to reviews particularly welcome.

SaveSave

SaveSave

post

Ethical Superstore

Buy Plastic-Free Beauty Products

Posts with links to suppliers

Usually not Amazon…..

Condoms & Lubricants
Cigarettes
Toothbrushes – bamboo
Tampons with applicator – plastic-free
Body Butter
Earphones plastic reduced and greener plastic
Razor
BYO Toiletries
Exfoliation
Sun block for a year
Jars & Pots
Antisceptic, tooth whitener and mouthwash …
Cream in Bangkok
How to …clean your teeth plastic free
Creams and Lotions
Talcum Powder
How to…menstruate plastic free
Tissues
Hankerchiefs
Nail Brush
Toner – skin
Toothbrush Ceba
Hair Gel and hairspray
Soap
Plastic IN toothpaste
bicarb for beauty
Sun block
Toilet Roll
Health care
tooth brushes Recycled plastic
Hair Brushes and Combs
Fake-bake plastic-free
deodorant crystals
Conditioners
lip balm
Shampoo
Ear buds

Amazon Catalogue

Please do read the notes in the sidebar on the right.

I have shown the products  in a catalogue format as I find this easier than browsing the widget. However clicking a link will take you to the shop widget  where you will also find the most recent additions

 

Thyvogue Men's Red Round Red Dial Wooden Watch with 40 Mm Size W00007 Jellybean Genuine Natural Wood Sunglasses Hand Made Exclusive wooden sunglasses or bamboo Polarized New (Unisex Mens Ladies) Wayfarer Sunglasses UV400 Lense brand 4sold
Thyvogue Men’s Red Round Red Dial Wooden Wa…
£24.99
Jellybean Genuine Natural Wood Sunglasses H…
£49.95
wooden sunglasses or bamboo Polarized New (…
£23.00 – £25.00
Wood Sunglasses Skateboard Go Pear wood sunglasses. The frame is made of pear wood. / Bamboo wood glasses eyewaer bamboo / unisex / new style fashion design Kent Handcrafted Half Round Bristle Hair Brush LC7
Wood Sunglasses Skateboard Go
£69.90
Pear wood sunglasses. The frame is made of …
£49.95
Kent Handcrafted Half Round Bristle Hair Br…
£27.61
Evolatree - Elegant Natural Handcrafted Comb - Wide Tooth - Lignum Vitae Wood - Pocket Size 4.5" Monkeybrother 1 x handmade natural wood wide tooth comb short pocket hair combs Handmade 100% Sandalwood Wood Comb, Pocket Comb
Evolatree – Elegant Natural Handcrafted Com… Monkeybrother 1 x handmade natural wood wid… Handmade 100% Sandalwood Wood Comb, Pocket …
£6.88
12 Pack Ladies 100% Cotton Plain White Handkerchiefs With Satin Stripe Border Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerchiefs - 12 Pack. Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerchiefs Check Stripe - 12 Pack.
12 Pack Ladies 100% Cotton Plain White Hand…
£7.46
Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerch…
£16.00
Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerch…
£10.00
Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerchiefs - 12 Pack. 12 Pack Of Womens/Ladies 100% Cotton Dyed Handkerchiefs With A Satin Border, Assorted Colours
Samuel Windsor Luxury 100% Cotton Handkerch…
£10.00
12 Pack Of Womens/Ladies 100% Cotton Dyed H…
£10.99

Health & Beauty

1 x Radius Floss, handspun Silk Floss Waxed with Candelilla Wax 30 meters 3 X SMALL SILVER METAL FILLING FUNNELS Factorykiss 10 Transparent Clear Empty Lip Balm Tubes Containers
1 x Radius Floss, handspun Silk Floss Waxed… 3 X SMALL SILVER METAL FILLING FUNNELS
£4.99
Factorykiss 10 Transparent Clear Empty Lip …
£2.82
Natracare Organic All Cotton Tampons With Applicator - Regular 16
Natracare Organic All Cotton Tampons With A…
£2.59
see review on our website http://plasticisrubbish.com/2014/06/26/tampons-with-applicator/
Organic & Fairtrade Shea Butter (Unrefined) - 500g Organic Coconut Oil Cuisine - Mild & Odourless (Biona) 470ml Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Raw Organic Coconut Oil 500ml
Organic & Fairtrade Shea Butter (Unrefi…
£10.95
Organic Coconut Oil Cuisine – Mild & Od…
£4.79
Lucy Bee Extra Virgin Raw Organic Coconut O…
£9.95
(5 Bars) 100% ORGANIC Hand Poured Beeswax - 30g each - Premium Quality, Cosmetic Grade, Triple Filtered Bees Wax Carnauba Wax - T3 Grade 1KG 250ml Castor Oil - 100% Pure Cold Pressed
(5 Bars) 100% ORGANIC Hand Poured Beeswax -…
£2.71
Carnauba Wax – T3 Grade 1KG
£11.50
250ml Castor Oil – 100% Pure Cold Pressed
£2.89
1 pc Banana & Honey dry skin Soap 100% Natural Handmade 120g100% Natural Handmade aprox.120g OOH LA LA Lip Balm 100% Pure Organic Cocoa Butter 120ml jar
1 pc Banana & Honey dry skin Soap 100% …
£4.60
OOH LA LA Lip Balm
£3.00
100% Pure Organic Cocoa Butter 120ml jar
£3.32
Elixir Pure Citric Acid |Food Grade | 250g,500g,1kg,2kg,5kg,10kg,25kg 6 x Radius Floss, Handspun Organic Silk Floss Waxed with Candelilla Leaf Wax. Radius Floss, handspun Silk Floss waxed with Beeswax x 1 plus Cranberry Floss x 1
Elixir Pure Citric Acid |Food Grade | 250g,…
£3.98 – £70.48
6 x Radius Floss, Handspun Organic Silk Flo… Radius Floss, handspun Silk Floss waxed wit…
Raw Health Organic Raw Cider Vinegar With Mother 500ml Eco Friendly Disposable Make-Up Brushes (Lip Brushes) Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar 946 ml
Raw Health Organic Raw Cider Vinegar With M…
£6.20
Eco Friendly Disposable Make-Up Brushes (Li…
£4.95
Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar 946 ml
£11.70

Sex & Menstruation

Gladrags Menstrual Color Cotton Pads - 3 - Pack Mooncup Menstrual Cup Size B Mooncup Menstrual Cup Size A 1pieces
Gladrags Menstrual Color Cotton Pads – 3 – …
£18.99
Mooncup Menstrual Cup Size B
£19.99
Comes in 2 sizes – check before you buy you can read a review on http://plasticisrubbish.com/2010/01/03/lady-stuff/
Mooncup Menstrual Cup Size A 1pieces
£19.99
Natracare Regular Pads Natracare Organic All Cotton Tampons With Applicator - Regular 16 Reusable Hemp Sanitary Towel
Natracare Regular Pads
£1.90 – £20.10
Natracare Organic All Cotton Tampons With A…
£2.59
see review on our website http://plasticisrubbish.com/2014/06/26/tampons-with-applicator/
Reusable Hemp Sanitary Towel
Reusable Cotton Sanitary Towel - Flowers & Birds The Busy Woman's Guide to Cloth Pads GladRags Color Day Pad
Reusable Cotton Sanitary Towel – Flowers &a… The Busy Woman’s Guide to Cloth Pads
by Tracy Puhl
GladRags Color Day Pad
£6.00 – £39.59
Trojan Naturalamb Luxury Non Latex Condoms (10 Pack) Biona Org Odourless Coconut Oil 610 ML x 1
Trojan Naturalamb Luxury Non Latex Condoms …
£28.99
Made from sheeps intestines
Biona Org Odourless Coconut Oil 610 ML x 1
£5.82
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post

Clothes – Shop Bought

I have started making my own clothes but some things are beyond me. Tee shirts, underwear and Jeans / trousers are all way too difficult as yet. Socks, tights and leggings also fall into this category. Though I am learning to knit socks!!!

So some stuff I have to buy. I have strict rules ( surprise) applied to buying of clothes. I mostly buy natural fibres Read about how I buy and why I prefer natural fabrics over synthetics here.

Buying Plastic Free

You might be buying woolen trousers but you still get some plastic. The cotton to sew them will be plastic, as will the buttons and other fixings. Even the labels. and those beastly coat hangers. Its a minefield I tell you.
Read more about plastic Involved when buying  ready made clothes

Clothes I have sourced

  • Cycling and UV resistant clothing- work in progress
  • Swimwear
  • Knickers
  • Tee shirts Marks & Spencer’s see below
  • Jeans and trousers Marks & Spencer’s see below

I only feel comfortable buying sustainable clothes. I mean clothes made from cloth woven from fair-trade, ideally organically-grown, natural fibres, by people paid a proper wage. The articles then need to be sewn up in safe and healthy environments by adults who can live off what they earn. Problem is I can’t afford those kinds of clothes on what I earn.

So I shop at M&S. one of the more sustainable high street stores and pretty good value. They also do reasonably good quality cotton basics. They sell a lot of stuff unhung and they actually reuse their plastic hangers. But….. much as I like M&S I have to admit that they can be a little… erm…. stodgy? And some of the above plastic related issues still apply,

Making Your Own Plasticfree Sustainable Clothes

Seems to me the only way to get completely compostable clothes that are, sustainable, affordable and plastic-free as possible is to make them yourself. So I dragged out my sewing machine and started stitching my own sustainable duds in sustainable amounts.

Fibres to fabrics 

Clothes

post

Buy On Line Plastic Free

One of the real joys of buying #plasticfree is sourcing the stuff in local shops. The excitement when you see milk in glass bottle in the newsagents is beyond words.

But sometime you have to buy on line. And then you come up against the prickly problem of packaging

There is nothing that enrages plastic activist in me more than researching a product that claims to be plastic free and environmentally friendly, purchase online, wait eagerly only to find it comes plastic packed.

Plastic free and plastic reduced products are of course a great step forward in the battle against plastic. But when I am buying a product I want to know how the product is packaged. There is little point buying a wooden comb if it comes in a plastic bag.

If it comes via an online, postal service, onward packaging needs to be stated. I want to know how the product will be packed and the more information the better. Down to what kind of tape is used (whether it is plastic or not) and whether the invoice will be in a plastic bag on the front of the box.

Which is why I like he following companies who offer plastic free products but also consider the onward packaging.

N.B. But no matter what I say, check and double check for yourself. One mans plastic free is another’s little bit of sticky tape.

These guys are super keen plastic free suppliers


Loose Foods

This is stuff that that normally comes plastic packaged like beans, dried fruit and pasta.

While there are an increasing number of shops selling loose food they are still few and far between, not everyone has local shops and supermarkets love plastic packaging. Don’t despair if there is nowhere near you selling rubbish free food, you might be interested in this option. It is possible to buy food online loose and plasticfree. You can even use your own cotton produce bags for some things. Read more here

N.B. Prefer the high street? You can see  if a shop near you sells food loose via this  list of towns

General, Household & Personal

From soap refills to soap dishes, almost everything you need for a plastic free life. posted out to you plastic free.

Some great shops here

Toys & Crafts

Myriadonline for toys and craft supplies. Use cardboard and paper packaging including paper parcel tape.

A really lovely shop full of wooden toys and wool felt balls. Recommend you have a look HERE

More

Most of the products featured on the blog have an online option to buy. It is always worth contacting businesses and asking if they can post you product plastic free. Offer to cover the costs of a cardboard box if needs be.
Look here for individual products.

We a try to link directly with a business we know and have used but we cannot always do this. And sometimes cost considerations mean we want to offer a range of options in different price brackets. In these cases we try to find other more affordable on Amazon.

Amazon is a very dirty word at the moment and I thought long and hard before suggesting them. No we are not happy with Amazons recent history. However, we have always found their service to be good and their packaging usually cardboard and so compostable. Though of course this cannot be guaranteed. You can read more of our reasons in the post.

Amazon catelogue here.

N.B.

lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x

And before you go…

If you have found the #plasticfree information useful, please consider supporting us. It all goes to financing the project (read more here) or

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