Why we DON'T aim to be 100% plastic-free
To mark the beginning of Plastic-Free July, we want to share with you why we DON'T aim to be 100% plastic-free at home or in our business. That might seem like a strange thing to say from an eco-friendly business, especially during plastic-free July but bear with us!
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Being 100% free from plastic isn’t our goal because it’s nigh on impossible to achieve.
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We’d be setting ourselves up for failure and we already have enough eco-anxiety and guilt to contend with without striving for the unachievable.
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At home, we do our best to reduce plastic waste, but without access to a refill shop and relying on supermarkets for the bulk of our groceries means we take home more plastic packed food than we’d like. And then add kids and pets into the equation, and it just gets even more challenging.
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That’s not to say we don’t have areas of our lives where we feel we’re winning! Jacqui gets milk delivered in glass bottles and uses reusable nappies for her twin boys, diverting a considerable amount of plastic waste from landfill. And Nicky’s bathroom is an eco-haven complete with shampoo bars, safety razor and reusable period products.
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When we started our business two years ago, we wanted Eco Ness to operate 100% plastic-free until we realised that being plastic-free shouldn’t be our ultimate or only goal. We have even consciously chosen some of our products because they are made from plastic. For instance, our make-up brushes have synthetic bristles, and our dental floss is made from bio-plastic.
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The alternatives would be bristles made from animal fur and floss made from silk, with a high chance of abhorrent cruelty to animals and silkworms in the manufacturing process. We're not okay with being plastic-free at all costs.
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Sustainable living is so much more than avoiding plastic, so we aim for ethical above plastic-free.
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We do, of course, reduce plastic waste in any way we can in all areas of our business and are proud to work with our fantastic suppliers who are doing the same. All our products arrive with us in plastic-free packaging, and they are sent out to you the same way. No bubble wrap, plastic peanuts or sellotape here! 
What each of us can do to reduce plastic waste will depend entirely on our circumstances – everyone is different.
We’re not always getting it right ourselves, but we’re doing our best. That is all that can be asked of anyone.
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Our general tips to anyone trying to reduce waste is this:
invest in some good quality reusables, switch to solid bars instead of liquid hair and skin products, and only buy what you need..
Let us know how you're getting involved in Plastic-free July this year! Pop a note in the comments, connect with us on Instagram or send us a message.