Plastic-free or refillable deodorant
Deodorant sticks are tricky mixed-plastic packaging; a refillable case or a paper-tube stick removes about 180 g of plastic a year.
Individuals
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Safety razor instead of disposable razors
A metal safety razor lasts decades and takes recyclable steel blades; disposable razors are mixed plastic and metal that no kerbside scheme accepts.
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Reusable period products
Disposable pads and tampon applicators contain plastic and are marked as such under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive; cups, pants and washable pads last…
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Washable cloths instead of wet wipes
About 31 billion wet wipes were sold in the UK in 2021, and a quarter to a half contained plastic; the UK is banning…
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Loose-leaf tea or plastic-free tea bags
Many tea bags are sealed with polypropylene or made from PLA mesh, which does not break down in a home compost heap.
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Plastic-free chewing gum
Most chewing gum base is a synthetic polymer, which is why it never disappears from pavements; natural chicle gum is the alternative.
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Skip glitter and microbead products
Glitter and microbeads are microplastic by design; rinse-off microbeads have been banned in the UK since 2018 and the EU is phasing out loose…
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Microfibre bag or washing machine filter
Every wash of synthetic clothes sheds up to 1,240 mg of microfibre per kilogram of fabric; a Guppyfriend bag or inline filter catches most…
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Natural fibres instead of polyester and acrylic
Cotton, wool and linen shed too, but their fibres biodegrade in months to years while polyester and acrylic persist for centuries.
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Refill or concentrate cleaning products
Spray bottles are mostly water; refill stations, concentrates and dissolvable tablets cut the plastic to a single bottle you keep.