It’s Plastic-Free July, guys! If you’re not familiar with what it is, Plastic-Free July is basically an international movement garnered by the consciousness of our ever-growing waste problem. In July every year people make it a mission to refuse single-use plastic and reduce their waste emission. This movement is what inspired me to start a zero-waste (or low-impact) lifestyle last year. Are you guys joining in on the movement?
This month I thought I’d share some tips and tricks on how to cut down on plastic (or eliminate them completely from your life). If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my daily stories, in which I suggest switching out an otherwise-plastic object in your life for a reusable, eco-friendly alternative. Whenever I post this kind of post, I get asked where I get an item or two, so today I’ll be sharing what my essentials are and where you, too, can get them.
It’s Plastic-Free July, guys! If you’re not familiar with what it is, Plastic-Free July is basically an international movement garnered by the consciousness of our ever-growing waste problem. In July every year people make it a mission to refuse single-use plastic and reduce their waste emission. This movement is what inspired me to start a zero-waste (or low-impact) lifestyle last year. Are you guys joining in on the movement?
This month I thought I’d share some tips and tricks on how to cut down on plastic (or eliminate them completely from your life). If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my daily stories, in which I suggest switching out an otherwise-plastic object in your life for a reusable, eco-friendly alternative. Whenever I post this kind of post, I get asked where I get an item or two, so today I’ll be sharing what my essentials are and where you, too, can get them.
Tiffin Box
Everyone at my office always notices this about me—if for nothing else: I’m the girl who brings her own lunch in a little tiffin box. I’ve always brought my own lunch since my school days. But, if before I would use a tupperware or essentially-plastic lunch boxes, these days I’ve switched for a tiffin box. The one I have is small enough to fit into my bag, pretty air-tight, so much easier to wash and doesn’t really affect the taste of the food contained inside.
To be honest, I’m not sure where this box came from—I found it somewhere at home and quickly claimed it. If you want a stainless steel lunch box, however, you can get one for yourself at Zero Waste Indonesia or Green Mommy Shop.
Everyone at my office always notices this about me—if for nothing else: I’m the girl who brings her own lunch in a little tiffin box. I’ve always brought my own lunch since my school days. But, if before I would use a tupperware or essentially-plastic lunch boxes, these days I’ve switched for a tiffin box. The one I have is small enough to fit into my bag, pretty air-tight, so much easier to wash and doesn’t really affect the taste of the food contained inside.
To be honest, I’m not sure where this box came from—I found it somewhere at home and quickly claimed it. If you want a stainless steel lunch box, however, you can get one for yourself at Zero Waste Indonesia or Green Mommy Shop.
Pouches
One of the things I always make sure to never go without when grocery shopping is pouches. They’re really handy, easy-to-use and can be really cute. When it comes to buying fruit, vegetable and eggs, my sister and I use these babies to get them weighed and bring them home. Aside from produce bags, I also have pouches for my other zero-waste needs, i.e. straw pouch and cutlery pouch. There’s also the menstrual cup pouch that comes with the cup.
For all my pouch needs, I’ve always gone to Kaavya. They have the cutest and most unique selections of fabric, with a great quality of seams to boot. Otherwise, I also adore ssewn, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun and Cleanomic.
One of the things I always make sure to never go without when grocery shopping is pouches. They’re really handy, easy-to-use and can be really cute. When it comes to buying fruit, vegetable and eggs, my sister and I use these babies to get them weighed and bring them home. Aside from produce bags, I also have pouches for my other zero-waste needs, i.e. straw pouch and cutlery pouch. There’s also the menstrual cup pouch that comes with the cup.
For all my pouch needs, I’ve always gone to Kaavya. They have the cutest and most unique selections of fabric, with a great quality of seams to boot. Otherwise, I also adore ssewn, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun and Cleanomic.
Reusable Straws
Although not as often used, this is an item I tend to bring everywhere—you just never know! There are at least three kinds of reusable straws that I know of: stainless steel, bamboo and glass. While I’m sure they all have their own benefits and drawbacks, I’ve never had anything other than stainless steel straws, so I can’t really tell you about the other ones.
Technically, I only have one straw for boba, while borrowing my sister’s rose-gold regular one all the time. I used to have a different regular straw, but left it at a restaurant and it was forever lost. My sister got these straws—and the brush—from No Space Canteen, but you can easily find other such straws at Kaavya, Warung 1000 Kebun, kembali.jkt and Ekko Store.
Although not as often used, this is an item I tend to bring everywhere—you just never know! There are at least three kinds of reusable straws that I know of: stainless steel, bamboo and glass. While I’m sure they all have their own benefits and drawbacks, I’ve never had anything other than stainless steel straws, so I can’t really tell you about the other ones.
Technically, I only have one straw for boba, while borrowing my sister’s rose-gold regular one all the time. I used to have a different regular straw, but left it at a restaurant and it was forever lost. My sister got these straws—and the brush—from No Space Canteen, but you can easily find other such straws at Kaavya, Warung 1000 Kebun, kembali.jkt and Ekko Store.
Cutlery
Yet another item that I didn’t actually purchase myself. When I started switching to a low-impact lifestyle, I wanted to bring my own cutlery but didn’t feel like I should buy new ones, because we have a house full of them. Fortunately, I managed to find a whole set of stainless steel cutlery—spoon, fork and chopsticks, complete with the pouch—at home.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you where to buy them, because it seems to have been a wedding souvenir—and a splendid idea at that. You can, however, simply use your own cutlery at home or, if you don’t already have one, purchase compact, reusable cutlery at Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun or Ekko Store.
Yet another item that I didn’t actually purchase myself. When I started switching to a low-impact lifestyle, I wanted to bring my own cutlery but didn’t feel like I should buy new ones, because we have a house full of them. Fortunately, I managed to find a whole set of stainless steel cutlery—spoon, fork and chopsticks, complete with the pouch—at home.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you where to buy them, because it seems to have been a wedding souvenir—and a splendid idea at that. You can, however, simply use your own cutlery at home or, if you don’t already have one, purchase compact, reusable cutlery at Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun or Ekko Store.
Glass Jar
Last, but certainly not least—in fact, this is the most asked about item on this list—is my favourite go-to container for all sorts of beverages. I’ve always been into mason jars and wanted to own one for so long. I didn’t know they were available for quite cheap—and in various sizes too!—here in Indonesia.
When I first saw one on someone else’s IG story, it was being used to contain boba drinks and I quickly asked where the person got it from. It turns out she got it from ACE Hardware—which is where I got mine too, fyi. Mine can contain up to 500ml of liquid—perhaps more, but the indicator only goes as far. I love using it to buy boba or any other cold beverages. Yum!
Last, but certainly not least—in fact, this is the most asked about item on this list—is my favourite go-to container for all sorts of beverages. I’ve always been into mason jars and wanted to own one for so long. I didn’t know they were available for quite cheap—and in various sizes too!—here in Indonesia.
When I first saw one on someone else’s IG story, it was being used to contain boba drinks and I quickly asked where the person got it from. It turns out she got it from ACE Hardware—which is where I got mine too, fyi. Mine can contain up to 500ml of liquid—perhaps more, but the indicator only goes as far. I love using it to buy boba or any other cold beverages. Yum!
• • •
The truth is often the single-use plastic we resort to are easily substituted. It only takes very little preparation for us to actually avoid having to use plastic at all. These are are just a few of the things you can substitute plastic with, of course. I’m also not perfect—I haven’t got all the kinks figured out. There are still some tools I could definitely start adding to my collection. If you’re thinking of the same thing, feel free to check out my Instagram story highlight for a complete list of stores to buy them from.
I’d love to hear about the plastic alternatives you’ve been using in your life!
• • •
The truth is often the single-use plastic we resort to are easily substituted. It only takes very little preparation for us to actually avoid having to use plastic at all. These are are just a few of the things you can substitute plastic with, of course. I’m also not perfect—I haven’t got all the kinks figured out. There are still some tools I could definitely start adding to my collection. If you’re thinking of the same thing, feel free to check out my Instagram story highlight for a complete list of stores to buy them from.
I’d love to hear about the plastic alternatives you’ve been using in your life!