Six every day shopping tips for Plastic Free July

1) Stay fresh and clean with Oxford Soap Company

Keeping fresh and clean is simple with Oxford Soap Company’s wonderful range of plastic free soaps, shampoos and moisturisers. All products in the shop are handmade by owner Ervin. His pride in keeping all his products natural and beautifully scented is wonderfully inspiring.

Their soap on a rope is a firm favourite of this writer. When choosing which rope to use, owner Ervin researched carefully to find the option with the least environmental impact. It is this kind of in-depth thinking that makes shopping independent so rewarding.

2) Pick up a plastic-free takeaway salad from Alpha Bar

Salads feel fresh, healthy and full of natural goodness. But so often, they come packaged up in plastic, which seems to fly in the face of logic.

Alpha Bar is your answer. You can pick up a takeaway salad knowing it comes in plastic-free packaging, with ingredients sourced from organic local producers. Even in the preparation, the team behind Alpha Bar – who also run the famous Vaults Café – avoid microwave ovens, Teflon coatings, plastic utensils, and short-life or toxic equipment. It is fresh, thoughtful food from start to finish.

3) Make your cuppa plastic free with Cardew’s of Oxford

Enjoy your refreshing cuppa without the microplastics, thanks to Cardew’s of Oxford’s own-brand teas. They have a world of wonderful teas in plastic-free packaging, from loose leaf tea to their own-brand compostable teabags.

Yes, if you did not already know, many standard teabags are not purely paper. They often include plastic in the bag’s make-up, which can release microplastics into your tea. Cardew’s makes it easy to choose better, without giving up your favourite brew.

4) Choose cheese without the plastic

For many of us, cheese is an everyday essential – but standard supermarket supplies are almost always wrapped in plastic.

The Oxford Cheese Company is the perfect antidote. They use waxed paper, not plastic, and if you are a cheese fan who has not visited before, you are in for a real treat. Their vast selection of fine cheeses from across the world is a joy to explore, and they also take great pride in their wide range of vegetarian cheeses.

5) Plastic free washing-up kit with Y.O.U. Underwear

Y.O.U. Underwear does not only stock underwear. In fact, offering alternatives to plastic in everyday life is one of owner Sarah Jordan’s core missions, and the shop is packed with brilliant swaps for around the home.

The environmental impact of the simple washing-up sponge can be surprisingly big, so we have picked out a few useful items for your kitchen routine – washing up sponge, scrubbing brush and natural rubber gloves.

As Sarah says: “I am fortunate enough to also have a platform through Y.O.U. to reach more people, encouraging them to reduce single-use plastic and raise awareness of the issues. It is impossible to cut plastic out completely, but anywhere we can cut back on single use will make a difference.”

6) Keep your home in bloom the sustainable way

The Garden of Oxford’s distinctive paper bouquet wrapping has become a very cool look all of its own. You can always spot one of their bouquets, complete with that characteristic Garden of Oxford stamp. Who knew brown paper could look so stylish?

And they have not stopped there. If you love a long-lasting bloom for your room, The Garden of Oxford also creates a stunning array of dried flower bouquets, from tiny mini bunches upwards. Beautiful, thoughtful and made to last.