Welcome to our Plastic-Free July Community

Giving up plastic entirely isn’t realistic for all of us (if anyone!). The goal of Plastic-free July is to challenge yourself in a sustainable, realistic way - and we want you to know that we're all in this together!

Throughout the entire month, this page will be ground zero for all of our PFJ IG content from our incredible community, updates from the Seed & Sprout team & we'll also be addressing the PFJ questions you need answered.

It's all about 'progress, not perfection' and you are not alone.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email at PFJ@seedandsprout.com if you have any questions or if you want to share your progress with us, we'd love to see how you're going!


Your Pressing Plastic-Free Questions


Welcome to our Plastic-Free July
Community

Giving up plastic entirely isn’t realistic for all of us (if anyone!). The goal of Plastic-free July is to challenge yourself in a sustainable, realistic way - and we want you to know that we're all in this together!

Throughout the entire month, this page will be ground zero for all of our PFJ IG content from our incredible community, updates from the Seed & Sprout team & we'll also be addressing the PFJ questions you need answered.

It's all about 'progress, not perfection' and you are not alone.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email at PFJ@seedandsprout.com if you have any questions or if you want to share your progress with us, we'd love to see how you're going!

What can I do if my local coffee shop won't accept my Keep Cup due to Covid regulations?

Ask what their disposable coffee cups are made of and if they have a process to keep them out of landfill - if it is home compostable cup they are using and you have a home compost consider taking it home with you, if there is no way around it double down on your plastic-free efforts in other ways for the rest of the day.

I get through so much frozen fruit with my smoothies. What's an alternative?

Buy whole fruits and pre-cut on the day of purchase and freeze in our Silicone Food Pouches - they are the perfect reusable replacement for plastic ziplock bags

Do you still recommend buying loose fruits and vegetables with Covid?

This is a personal choice, and we all need to feel safe. We choose to buy loose unpackaged fruit and vegetables using our own bags as this avoids using plastic as well as avoiding surface contact with the roll of plastic bags. We wash our hands when we get home and then give all of our produce a good wash with a Pot Scrubber, peeling the skins off anything that we'll be using that day to be on the safe side and refrigerate the rest.

How can I avoid plastic when shopping at the deli section of the supermarket?

Try taking along your own containers and ask if they can use them instead!

How can I avoid plastic when buying yoghurt for the kids?

We've got two tutorials on our IG highlights of Sophie making regular yoghurt and a dairy free coconut yoghurt too! Super simple, much cheaper and super tasty!

Do you have a recipe for the homemade Tofu you’re going to make?

We’re going to try this one from Alpha Foodie - three ingredients Soy Beans, Water and Lemon Juice but you'll need some time!

Do you know the carbon footprint of tins vs glass vs plastic? I never know which one to choose in the supermarket and find it so overwhelming!

It’s important to remember that everything has an environmental footprint and we are all out here trying our best to reduce our impact. Our best advice is to opt for reusables when and where you can and make your own food to avoid plastic packaging when possible. Remember that any small changes you make are making a difference. Progress over perfection.

Do you remove the plastic window on your cardboard before recycling?

YES! It’s best to get into the habit of separating all of your recycling to make sure it ends up in correct stream at the recycling centre!

Why are bulk refills always more expensive than options in plastic?

  • We suggest you do your research here, you may find that some produce is at a higher price and others are lower in price so it evens out. Remember Package Free Stores are usually small independent businesses and they do not have the big buying power of supermarkets...yet! Our tips in A Beginners Guide to Bulk Shopping will help you get started and how to start shopping in per/kg prices!
Your Pressing Plastic-Free Questions


Your Plastic-Free July Pledges

" Food prepping for lunches to avoid buying packaged takeaway "

" Start shopping at our local store with refillable containers " 

" No plastic water bottles and no cling wrap "

" Less packaged snacks "

" Not purchase anything in single use plastic! " 

" No takeaway foods. Going to be a struggle! "

" Learn how to make the best use out of my new Compost Bin "

" No keep cup, no coffee! "

" Take my own vegetable bags to the supermarket instead of using plastic ones "

What can I do if my local coffee shop won't accept my Keep Cup due to Covid regulations?

Ask what their disposable coffee cups are made of and if they have a process to keep them out of landfill - if it is home compostable cup they are using and you have a home compost consider taking it home with you, if there is no way around it double down on your plastic-free efforts in other ways for the rest of the day.

I get through so much frozen fruit with my smoothies. What's an alternative?

Buy whole fruits and pre-cut on the day of purchase and freeze in our Silicone Food Pouches - they are the perfect reusable replacement for plastic ziplock bags

Do you still recommend buying loose fruits and vegetables with Covid?

This is a personal choice, and we all need to feel safe. We choose to buy loose unpackaged fruit and vegetables using our own bags as this avoids using plastic as well as avoiding surface contact with the roll of plastic bags. We wash our hands when we get home and then give all of our produce a good wash with a Pot Scrubber, peeling the skins off anything that we'll be using that day to be on the safe side and refrigerate the rest.

How can I avoid plastic when shopping at the deli section of the supermarket?

Try taking along your own containers and asking if they can use them instead!

How can I avoid plastic when buying yoghurt for the kids?

  • We've got two tutorials on our IG highlights of Sophie making regular yoghurt and a dairy free coconut yoghurt too! Super simple, much cheaper and super tasty!

Do you have a recipe for the homemade Tofu you’re going to make?

We’re going to try this one from Alpha Foodie - three ingredients Soy Beans, Water and Lemon Juice you'll need some time!

Do you know the carbon footprint of tins vs glass vs plastic? I never know which one to choose in the supermarket and find it so overwhelming!

It’s important to remember that everything has an environmental footprint and we are all out here trying our best to reduce our impact. Our best advice is to opt for reusables when and where you can and make your own food to avoid plastic packaging when possible. Remember that any small changes you make are making a difference. Progress over perfection.

Do you remove the plastic window on your cardboard before recycling?

YES! It’s best to get into the habit of separating all of your recycling to make sure it ends up in correct stream at the recycling centre!

Why are bulk refills always more expensive than options in plastic?

  • We suggest you do your research here, you may find that some produce is at a higher price and others are lower in price so it evens out. Remember Package Free Stores are usually small independent businesses and they do not have the big buying power of supermarkets...yet! Our tips in A Beginners Guide to Bulk Shopping will help you get started and how to start shopping in per/kg prices!

Here are some of our favourite posts from YOU, our amazing Community!

Want to be featured?
@seedandsproutco #plasticfreejuly


Your Plastic-Free Pledges

" Food prepping for lunches to avoid buying packaged takeaway "

" Start shopping at our local store with refillable containers " 

" No plastic water bottles and no cling wrap "

" Less packaged snacks "

" Not purchase anything in single use plastic! " 

" No takeaway foods. Going to be a struggle! "

" Learn how to make the best use out of my new Compost Bin "

" No keep cup, no coffee! "

" Take my own vegetable bags to the supermarket instead of using plastic ones "

Here are some of our favourite posts from YOU, our amazing Community!

Want to be featured?
@seedandsproutco #plasticfreejuly