Look for Plastic Free and How2Recycle labels
Vague eco claims are everywhere; third-party marks such as Plastic Free Certification, Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and How2Recycle tell you what the packaging is…
Bathroom and cosmetics
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Paper-stem or reusable cotton buds
Plastic-stem cotton buds are banned in the UK and EU because they are flushed and end up on beaches; paper stems or a reusable…
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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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Bamboo (solid and uncoated pulp)
Fast-growing grass used solid for cutlery, straws and toothbrush handles or as pulp for cushioning; avoid rigid bamboo-melamine composites, which are plastic.
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Reusable nappies instead of disposables
A baby uses thousands of disposable nappies, each with a plastic outer and absorbent core; reusables cut that to a single set of cloth…
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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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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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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.
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Bamboo or replaceable-head toothbrush
A plastic toothbrush weighs about 18 g and is replaced every three months; a bamboo handle composts and only the nylon bristles remain.
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Solid soap and shampoo bars instead of bottles
Bars come naked or in paper; Lush has avoided over 15,000 tonnes of plastic since 2005 by selling solid products.