Plastic Free July has got me all inspired to look at ways to reduce plastic use. I have to confess, I’ve got a bit of work to do – like remembering to take my KeepCup with me for a start!

I have made some changes – I’ve been on the re-usable bag buzz for a long time, I make my own yoghurt most weeks, and I’ve bought some beeswax wraps. But there’s still lots of places I know I could do better. Here’s a round up of some products that I’ve found useful or have got my eye on to get!

What ways have you reduced your plastic use? I’d love to hear your tips.

PS this post contains some affiliate links which means if you purchase something I make a small amount from the sale (but it doesn’t cost you any extra). This helps with the running costs of this page.

1. Stainless Steel Pegs

The area around our washing line started to look a wee bit like a plastic graveyard as one by one the pegs reached the end of their lives. I bought bamboo pegs next – but they do go mouldy so I thought these looked awesome. They cost a bit more but because they’re stainless steel they’ll last so much longer than plastic pegs. AND they have a 10 year guarantee too. Check them out here

2. Glass Mad Millie Yoghurt Making Kit

Yoghurt is a staple in our house and one way you can cut down on plastic is to make your own. This DIY yoghurt making kit by Mad Millie comes with a 1L glass jar, yoghurt culture, a thermometer, cheesecloth and a sterile culture pottle. With this one kit you can make up to 8kg of Greek Yoghurt. You can buy more yoghurt culture to continue making it too. Check it out here
(PS if you want to make your own coconut yoghurt I’ve got instructions here)

3. Beeswax Wraps

Ok I’m guilty to say when it comes to wrapping food, I haven’t been the best. I use containers where I can, but I do use plastic bags/wrap sometimes…. But I got some beeswax wraps at the Food Show and now they’ll be a staple. You can find them here or here

4. Bamboo Veggie Brush

One of my lovely clients gave me this as a little gift a few years back and since then I’ve got more because they’re so good! They have a bamboo handle with bass fibre bristles and work a treat for brushing / washing your veggies of dirt. It’s just $8.30 here

When I thought about ways to reduce plastic use I didn’t really think about cotton buds. I them a lot and I recently found these totally biodegradable cotton and bamboo buds.They’re just $5.20 for a pack of 200 too. Check them out here

6. Stainless Steel Food Containers

These three mini stainless steel containers will last longer than plastic and are the perfect size for nuts and other snacks. Find out more here

7. Reusable silicone bags

I use resealable bags quite a lot for freezing food because they take up less room in the freezer than containers. And while I do reuse them, they don’t tend to last very long before they get a wee hole in them or tear. These reusable silicone bags are one of the ways to reduce plastic use.

They are available in a range of colours and sizes. Check them out here