July is the month for heat, the beach, outdoor terraces... and also the time when the most plastic enters our homes almost without us realizing it. Shopping bags, supermarket packaging, water bottles, sunscreen containers, disposable barbecue cutlery. Summer, unintentionally, is a plastic-generating machine. And most of that plastic is not recycled, even if we throw it into the yellow bin with all the best intentions.
But this isn't about doing everything perfectly or becoming an activist overnight. It's about starting. About making a couple of changes this month that, a year from now, will seem completely normal. That's why at Alma Eko, we've decided that July is our plastic-free month, and we want it to be yours too.
The plastic you don't see (and that enters your home every week)
There are obvious plastics, the ones almost everyone tries to avoid: plastic shopping bags, single-use water bottles. But then there are the ones that go unnoticed, and those are the hardest to eliminate because we don't even know they're there.
Tea bags: many brands use a thin layer of plastic to seal the bag so it doesn't fall apart in hot water. Yes, that "natural" tea you drink every morning.
Kitchen sponges: the typical green and yellow sponge is made of plastic. Every time you use it, it releases microplastics that go directly into the water and the food chain.
Wet wipes: even if the label says "biodegradable," most contain synthetic fibers that take decades to decompose.
Chewing gum: the base of most chewing gum is synthetic plastic (polymer gum base). Not much more to add.
Coffee capsules: single-dose plastic or aluminum, one every morning, every day. The annual number is staggering.
The good news, as always, is that for each of these, there is an alternative that works just as well or better.
Where to start without feeling overwhelmed
The most common mistake when trying to reduce plastic is wanting to change everything at once. You empty your bathroom, kitchen, and cleaning closet in one go, buy twenty new products, and a week later you're exhausted and have spent more money than you intended. It doesn't work that way.
The most effective method, the one that truly builds habits, is gradual change. When a product runs out, you replace it with a plastic-free alternative. No rush, no throwing away anything that's still usable, no feeling guilty about the containers you still have on the shelf.
Here are the easiest substitutions to start with:
In the bathroom: solid shampoo is the most popular change, and for good reason. A solid shampoo bar is equivalent to two or three bottles of liquid shampoo, takes up no space, doesn't leak in your suitcase, and leaves your hair just as good once your scalp adapts (the first week you might notice your hair feels different, which is normal).
In the kitchen: replace the plastic scourer with a loofah or natural fiber one. It lasts just as long, cleans just as well, and when it's used up, it goes to compost, not to the trash or the sea.
For cleaning: products like powdered citric acid or baking soda come in paper bags and replace several plastic spray cleaners. With a couple of reusable bottles and these basics, you've got almost all your household cleaning covered.
For personal care: bar soap instead of shower gel. Zero plastic, lasts twice as long, there are options for all skin types, and you're not paying for the water in the gel bottle.
Five products to start with if you don't know where to begin
If you want to get straight to the point, these are the changes with the most impact and least effort:
The natural loofah scourer to replace the plastic one in the kitchen.
The beeswax wraps to replace cling film and aluminum foil in the fridge.
The solid shampoo to leave behind the plastic bottle in the bathroom.
The kitchen brushes with wooden handles for plastic-free scrubbing.
The natural bar soap for bath and shower.
None of these changes require learning anything new. They are products that are used exactly like their plastic versions, just without the plastic.
Summer is the best time to start
It might seem contradictory, because summer is when we use the most plastic. But it's also when we have more time to think, to do things calmly, and to try new things without the pressure of the weekly routine.
It's the time to review what you have at home, make a list of what's running out, and decide what to replace first. You don't have to be perfect, you don't have to do it all at once, and you don't have to spend a fortune.
One change a month is enough so that, a year from now, your home will have much less plastic than it does now. And that, combined with the changes of thousands of people who think like you, does make a real difference.
About Alma Eko
At Alma Eko, we've been helping people like you make this transition for years, step by step and without stress. This July, we've prepared the Great Plastic-Free Pack (valued at over €170) with everything you need to get started: natural cologne, deodorant, mineral sun oil, the basic kitchen pack, the wooden brush kit, and a surprise product that's not yet for sale and you can be the first to try it. We're raffling the pack among everyone who signs up for our list this month. Visit almaeko.com and don't miss out.
Frequently asked questions about reducing plastic at home
1. Where is the best place to start if I've never tried to reduce plastic?
In the bathroom, because that's where the most plastic accumulates and where the changes are easiest. Solid shampoo and bar soap are the two easiest substitutions with the most immediate impact.
2. Are plastic-free products more expensive?
Initially, it might seem so because the unit price is higher. But most last much longer than their conventional versions: a solid shampoo is equivalent to two or three bottles of liquid shampoo, and a loofah scourer lasts as long as several plastic scourers. In the long run, they usually end up being the same or cheaper.
3. What should I do with the plastic products I still have at home?
Use them until they run out; don't throw them away. Throwing away a product that's still perfectly usable to buy a new "sustainable" one is not sustainable. The transition makes more sense when done gradually, replacing each product as it finishes.
4. Do beeswax wraps work the same as cling film?
For most uses, yes: covering a bowl, wrapping half a fruit, storing cheese or bread. They are not suitable for raw meats or fish, nor for microwaving, but for daily use in the fridge, they perfectly cover what plastic film or aluminum foil would.
5. Does a loofah scourer clean as well as a plastic one?
Yes, and for many uses it cleans better because it has more texture. It's recommended to let it dry thoroughly between uses to make it last longer, and when it's very worn out, you can compost it instead of throwing it in the trash, which is the big difference from plastic ones.
6. How long does it take to notice the difference when switching to solid shampoo?
The first week your hair might feel different as it adjusts to the new product, especially if you've been using shampoos with a lot of silicones. By the second or third week, most people notice their hair is the same or better than before, and they quickly get used to the convenience of the solid format.
If you want to see all the plastic-free products we have available at Alma Eko, check out almaeko.com
