Coconuts, laundry and a plastic free challenge

Plastic Free July isn’t just for beginners. If you’re keen to reduce your plastic footprint without buying more stuff, here are some clever and surprisingly simple swaps that are trending online — and easy to try this week.

1. Replace cling wrap with t-shirt toppers

Not everyone has a stash of beeswax wraps or the inclination to make them, but most people have fabric they can re-purpose. Try this:

• cut old t-shirts or tea towels into circles
• secure over bowls with rubber bands or string
• wash and reuse endlessly

2. Scrub plastic-free — literally

Did you know, plastic dish brushes shed microplastics into the drain?

• try coconut husk scrubbers or compostable loofahs instead
• or save citrus peels, dry them, and use as natural scrubbers

You can find coconut husk scrubbers and compostable loofahs at stores such as Go For Zero, the Sunshine Coast biosphere of the year 2024

3. Keep microplastics out of the ocean 

You don't need to live near the ocean to create plastic pollution. Most microplastics come from synthetic fibres in washing machines, rinsing glitter or cosmetic beads down the sink or breaking down plastic containers in hot dishwashers

• in the washing machine use a Guppyfriend bag or Cora Ball to catch fibres or create your own. You can find how on the sustainableoceansint youtube channel
• switch to powder detergent in cardboard boxes
• wash full loads in cold water

4. Build your own plastic brick or ecobrick

Turn your soft plastics into ecobricks. Check out how people are building using this method! 

• stuff soft plastic into a clean, dry 1.25L bottle
• compress with a wooden spoon until really tightly packed
• drop off to a community project or school garden

🎯 Try this: Plastic-Free Bingo

Challenge your household or workplace to complete as many swaps as possible before July ends. Amp it up by offering a plastic free prize!

Find out more

For local waste and recycling education information visit the Sunshine Coast Council website.

Learn more about plastic free July on their website and find out how you can contribute to this global movement.