Tracey Bailey is the founder of Biome Eco Stores and an environmentalist, and Tracey says that with the rising cost of living affecting many Australians, it’s a great time to not only make lifestyle changes that benefit the environment but your household budget too.
“Plastic Free July, which aligns with the new financial year, presents the perfect opportunity to start your new money and planet saving routine,” says Tracey. “By reducing the use of everyday plastic items, you’re not only reducing waste and saving money, but you’re saving the resources used to produce those items in the first place.”
The average Australian could save (on average) up to $763.05 and 797 plastic items from landfill per year just by swapping these five common household products with plastic free alternatives.
Takeaway coffee: average takeaway coffee in a disposable coffee cup costs $4.00.
Sustainable alternative: KeepCup 8oz costs $14.00 from Biome.
Receive up to $0.50 discount when you use your reusable coffee cup at Responsible Cafes.
Waste saved? 250 single use coffee cups
Annual savings: $111*
Bottled water: Mount Franklin Spring Water Bottle 600ml costs $2.15.
Sustainable alternative: Biome Stainless Steel Water Bottle 750ml costs $34.95.
Waste saved? 250 plastic water bottle
Annual savings: $502.55
Zip lock plastic sandwich bags: Hercules Click Zip Resealable Snack Size Sandwich Bags 65 pack costs $2.90.
Sustainable alternative: Lunchskins Reusable Sandwich Bag $13.95 from Biome. A reusable sandwich bag can last over ten years with care.
Waste saved? 250 single use plastic zip lock bags
Annual savings: $9.75
Disposable razors: Gillette Venus Disposable Shaving Razor, three razors per pack, costs $10.
Sustainable alternative: Parker 95R Unisex Safety Razor including five blades, costs $44.95 from Biome. Replacement blades cost $5.95 for a pack of five. A safety razor can last a lifetime with care.
Waste saved? 39 plastic razors
Annual savings: $78.91
Laundry Liquid: Omo Active Clean Laundry Liquid Detergent Front and Top Loader one litre (20 washes) costs $10.00 = $0.50 per wash.
Sustainable alternative: That Red House Soapberries one kilogram bag (365 washes) costs $41.95 from Biome = $0.11 per wash.
Waste saved? 8 plastic bottles
Annual savings: $60.84
“These calculations show how easy it can be to save hundreds of dollars while reducing plastic waste, but there are many other money and waste saving alternatives,” says Tracey.
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