Plastic Free July was started by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz and a small team of local government in Western Australia, it is now one of the most influential environmental campaigns in the world.
Millions of people across the globe take part every year, with many committing to reducing plastic pollution far beyond the month of July.
Source: Plastic Free July
This year I am determined to reduce my plastic consumption and try to educate others in the process.
Credit: Plastic Free July Official YouTube Channel
Credit: Plastic Free July
Credit: Earth Changers
Day 1
I began Plastic Free July with a Plastic Free Teabags.
Clipper Plastic Free Tea Bags
Clipper Plastic Free Tea Bags
Day 2
I was so happy to receive my reusable tea cup!
Traidcraft 40th Anniversary reusable cup
Traidcraft 40th Anniversary reusable cup and sustainable packaging,
a thumbs up from me!
Day 3
This jute bag holds precious memories of my beloved Mum and our visit to Edinburgh during her struggle with metastatic breast cancer.
Mum has returned to her maker but her precious memories remain...
My Edinburgh jute bag
My Edinburgh jute bag with label
Day 4
For the past 3 years I've replaced my hand wash with
organic hand made soap.
Organic hand made soap
Day 5
As a fairtrade campaigner and educator with sensitive skin and eyes I'm pleased to advocate and promote Odylique.
Odylique - fairtrade, organic, vegan and cruelty black eye liner pencil in recycled packaging
Odylique - fairtrade, organic, vegan and cruelty
black eye liner pencil
Odylique - fairtrade, organic, vegan and cruelty black eye liner pencil used by a poorly flu ridden Sabeena
To read my blog about Odylique please click here
Day 6
I love herbal teas and purchased this gorgeous robot diffuser to reduce my teabag
and sugar intake.
Robot tea diffuser
Robot tea diffuser - with loose Jasmine Pearl tea
Robot tea diffuser
My lovely Montezuma mug, Robot tea diffuser and recycled coffee cup coaster
Day 7
I love fairtrade chocolate!
I had the privilege to learn form the best.
I spent a morning making bean to bar chocolate
with Bruce Crowther MBE.
Bruce Crowther and Sabeena Ahmed - Chocolate Master Class using
fairly traded cocoa beans
Fairly traded chocolate hand made by Sabeena Ahmed
and Bruce Crowther MBE reducing plastic consumption
Bruce Crowther MBE's
guest comments
To read more about my Chocolate Master Class click here.
Day 8
I invited Isatou Ceesay and environmental activist and
author of 'One Plastic Bag to come and stay with me in Dubai.
Sabeena Ahmed with environmental activist and autor Isatou Ceesay
Environmental activist and autor Isatou Ceesay signing copies of
One Plastic Bag
A recycled plastic purse hand made by Isatou Ceesay and
the Recycling Women of Gambia.
A wonderful initiative to reduce plastic bag consumption in Gambia
To read more about Isatou and watch here interviews click here.
Day 9
For the past 8 years I have been participating in the Six Items Challenge with Labour Behind The Label - a fashion fast for garment workers to receive a living wage and decent working condtions.
Six Items Challenge 2019 with Sabeena Ahmed and
Labour Behind The Label
Labour Behind The Label
Clothes & Textiles are the No.1 source of micro plastics in the oceans
Sustainable Development Goal 12 -
Responsible Consumption and Production
To read more about the Six Items Challenge please click here.
Day 10
I watched the Bag It
documentary again
Credit: ReelThingFilms
Bag It DVD
Bag It DVD - Plastic Free July
Bag It DVD
Day 11
I received my copy of Ethical Consumer Magazine and was particularly inspired by
the guide on Zero Waste Menstrual Products
Ethical Consumer Magazine July/August 19
Ethical Consumer Magazine July/August 19
Ethical Consumer Magazine July/August 19
Ethical Consumer Magazine July/August 19
Day 12
A Polite reminder!
Did you forget?
Its never too late to join the Plastic Free July Challenge?
Here's a practical calendar to help you get started.
Courtesy of Cleanaway.com.au
Day 13
I decided to purchase some Chia Seeds and was happy to see that the packaging was brown paper.
Organic Chia Seeds in Brown Paper Packaging
Organic Chia Seeds in Brown Paper Packaging
Day 14
I visited my local supermarket and was saddened to learn that the Loose/Zero Concept section was being removed.
Loose Zero Waste Concept closing due to the lack of customer footfall
at my local supermarket, Dubai
Day 15
I try to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
My pretty bottle top tray is used to store my paper and letters.
Up-cycled bottle top tray, hand made, Kenya
Up-cycled bottle top tray, hand made Kenya
Up-cycled bottle top tray, hand made Kenya
Day 16
Here are my reusable glass bottles,
I usually carry them in my bag but have broken a few in my forgetfulness.
Glass bottles reducing my plastic bottle consumption
Say No to Plastic Bottles
Say No to Plastic Bottles use glass or steel refillable alternatives
Day 17
Disappointed that I couldn't recycle the cardboard and plastic packaging for my
favourite Jaffa cakes.
I won't be purchasing them again.
Marks and Spencers Jaffa Cakes -
Only 50% of the carton is recyclable the inner film is not recyclable at all!
Marks and Spencers Jaffa Cakes -
Only 50% of the carton is recyclable the inner film is not recyclable at all!
Marks and Spencers Jaffa Cakes - Only 50% of the carton is recyclable the inner film is not recyclable at all - Plastic Free July
Day 18
My beautiful hand painted fairly traded tiffin set.
I hope to use the containers and ask restaurants to fill them with excess food when
I'm out and about.
My beautiful hand painted fairly traded tiffin set
My beautiful hand painted fairly traded tiffin set
My beautiful hand painted fairly traded tiffin set
Day 19
I started to read a wonderful book by plastic and
zero waste activist Beth Terry.
Plastic Free How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too -
Beth Terry
Plastic Free How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too -
Beth Terry
Plastic Free How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too -
Beth Terry
Plastic Free How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too -
Beth Terry
Day 20
My partner returned from a business trip from Ghana and presented me with Niche Chocolate.
Bean to bar chocolate, Ghana, paper and foil packaging
Bean to bar chocolate, Ghana, paper and foil packaging
Bean to bar chocolate, Ghana, paper and foil packaging
Day 21
I watched Beth Terry's TEDx Talk
Living Plastic Free
Credit: Tedx Talks YouTube
Day 22
Today I rediscovered these innovative fairtrade
recycled circuit board earrings.
A creative approach to reduce electronic waste
Up-cycled fairtrade circuit board earrings, decreasing electronic waste
Up-cycled fairtrade circuit board earrings, decreasing electronic waste
Up-cycled fairtrade circuit board earrings, decreasing electronic waste
Day 23
I couldn't resist and had to take photographs of these beautiful
fairtrade recycled bicycle chain photo frame and silver key bowl.
Another innovative solution to reduce recreational and household waste
Up-cycled fairtrade bicycle chain photo frame and
fairtrade handmade recycled silver key bowl
Up-cycled fairtrade bicycle chain photo frame and
fairtrade handmade recycled silver key bowl
Up-cycled fairtrade bicycle chain photo frame and
fairtrade handmade recycled silver key bowl
Up-cycled fairtrade bicycle chain photo frame and
fairtrade handmade recycled silver key bowl
Day 24
Since 2016, I have replaced my toothpaste with herbal tooth powder,
hand wash with organic handmade soap and
my toothbrush with miswak
(a teeth cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree).
Replacing toothpaste with herbal tooth powder
Replacing hand wash with organic handmade soap
Replacing my toothbrush with miswak
(a teeth cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica tree).
Day 25
I pledge to reduce my plastic use by refusing,
plastic bags, cups and bottles.
My jute bag, refillable glass bottle and reusable cup
I pledge to refuse my plastic use by refusing these illustration -
Artist Great Grand
Easy Ways To Cut Out Plastic - Artist unkown
Day 26
Many thanks to my other half who has driven to the recycling centre every Friday for the past 3 years in 40+ degrees.
Recycling Centre Al Barsha Dubai
Recycling Centre Al Barsha Dubai
video tba here
Day 27
So much plastic!
Hitachi Fan cardboard box and all the excessive plastic and styrofoam packaging
Excessive plastic and
styrofoam packaging
Excessive plastic packaging
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Day 28
SCRAP-TASTIC!
DON't tHROW it AWAY,
MAKE SOMEtHING!
A gorgeous practical book full of crafty ideas encouraging children to recycle household and everyday rubbish.
Produced by my good friends at @fair_funky
Helen and Sophie.
Scraptastic produced by fair and funky
Scraptastic produced by fair and funky
Scraptastic produced by fair and funky
Day 29
Today was Earth Overshoot Day.
Rethink!
Be mindful of your consumption, your relationship with 'things'
and your relationship with the Earth.
I purchased this red Preserve coleander 3 years ago.
It's been powered by leftovers and 100% recycled materials including plastic containers.
Red Preserve Colander - Powered by leftovers and 100% recycled materials including plastic containers
Red Preserve Colander - Powered by leftovers and 100% recycled materials including plastic containers -
Recycling Chart
Rethink diagram - illustrator and website unknown
Day 30
Recycling is this easy, when you're healthy!
video tba here
Day 31
On my last day of the Plastic Free July 2019 Challenge I posted a vlog of my Fairphone2.
The Fairphone is the worlds first ethical, durable and sustainable phone.
A phone that you can repair yourself, hence reducing electronic waste.
Due to my illness (two shoulder surgeries) I have found the challenge very difficult at and challenging at times.
The UAE ethical movement is still in its infancy and substitutes for simple things like feminine hygiene, deodorants and food wraps is limited.
I hope to reduce my consumption of menstrual hygiene and cleaning products and learn how to make my own soap, body wash, bread, conditioner and compost my waste..
It will be a long work in progress.
I hope to continue with Plastic Free July as long as I physically can.
Thank you for reading my blog and supporting a world with less plastic and zero waste.
Love, peace and blessings...
Sabeena X
This month I invested in a bamboo toothbrush, an organic loofah,
organic laundry softener and soap nuts
Bamboo Toothbrush
Organic Loofah
Organic Laundry Softener
Soap Nuts
Soap Nuts
Soap nuts are Organic Laundry Detergent
They are 100% Natural and Biodegradable
Instructions: Use 5-7 soap berries for a full load of washing.
Place the bag and berries directly in the washing machine with all your laundry.
Soap berries can be re-used 5-6 times and then disposed preferably in a composter.
Soap berres do not produce much foam.
Use warm water for washing clothes or soak the bag with berries before placing in the washing machine.
This month I was very poorly and couldn't implement any plastic free ideas or concepts.
This month I continued with Plastic Free July and received my reusable Fairtrade cup from the Fairtrade Foundation shop and my Traidcraft 40th Anniversary tote bag.
I would also like to thank my sister Irem for purchasing my favourite Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo, Aloe Vera Shower Gel and Superfruit Concentrate Oil.
My Thirsty for Change fairtrade reusable cup
My Thirsty for Change fairtrade reusable cup
Traidcraft 40th Anniversary Tote Bag
Traidcraft 40th Anniversary Tote Bag
Odylique Gentle Herb Shampoo, Aloe Vera Bath Wash and
Superfruit Concentrate Serum
Odylique products are free from synthetic chemicals and are all certified to strict Soil Association organic standards. It is one of the first companies to create certified organic cosmetics and follow the precautionary principle to formulate the purest cosmetics possible.
Its 30-year focus on sensitive skin means that it also has a unique position on potential allergens. Odylique avoids all synthetic chemical irritants and possible allergens like artificial fragrance. In addition, it excludes lanolin, wheat, dairy and soya derivatives, salicylic acid, peanut oil, common allergen tree nut oils, and more.
Source: Odylique
This month I finally invested in Bloom & Nora reusable sanitary ware.
Bloom and Nora reusable sanitary towels
Bloom and Nora reusable 3 pack sanitary towels
Bloom and Nora reusable sanitary towels
Odylique - Product Review, Videos and Photo shoot
Fairly traded Chocolate Master Class with Bruce Crowther MBE
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Sign up to get the latest on fair trade fashion.
I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
© 2024 The Little Fair Trade Shop. “We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”
The Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number 08189489
