Sustainable Network Resources No. 1:
Using our products more sustainably
We’re committed to supporting our network with practical resources for a more sustainable future. In this article, we’re sharing simple tips on how to make the most of the products we distribute, helping you and your community reduce waste, save resources, and make eco-friendly choices every day.
Period Products 🩲
We know that people choose period products based on their individual needs and preferences, but if you are looking to introduce something new to your community, switching to reusable period products, such as period underwear and menstrual cups, can have a significant impact on environmental footprints. Period underwear is designed to absorb menstrual flow without the need for disposable products. They look like regular underwear, making it easy to wear throughout the day and wash for reuse. You can read more about period underwear from our partners at Bodyform.
Menstrual cups are made from a soft silicone material and can last up to 10 years, saving around 10kg of plastic waste ending up in landfills! You can read more about how to choose and use menstrual cups from our partners at Ruby Cup.
According to Zero Waste Scotland, moving from disposable pads and tampons to reusable options can reduce the carbon footprint of period products by up to 90%, as each cup or pair of period underwear can last for years, reducing waste and the resources required to produce and transport single-use items.
Laundry 👕
Many washing detergents don’t need to be washed at a high temperature. Modern detergents, such as Ariel, are designed to work effectively in cooler water, thanks to advanced technology that removes the need for lengthy, high-temperature washes. While many people still think washing clothes at 40 degrees or more is necessary, awareness is slowly shifting towards the benefits of lower-temperature washes. Our partners at Ariel are on a mission to get people turning the temperature and timer down on their machines. By going from 60°C to 30°C or below, you can save up to 60% on your energy use!
Switching to eco-friendly laundry products and practices is an easy way to reduce waste and energy consumption. We regularly have sustainable laundry products available to our Charitable Network on our catalogue, such as plastic-free laundry sheets that dissolve easily in water, refillable products or those without harsh chemicals – so keep an eye out for more!
Shampoo Bars 🧼
We regularly distribute shampoo bars to our Charitable Network, but did you know how much more sustainable they are? They’re a fantastic planet-friendly alternative to traditional bottled shampoos, offering higher cleansing power for a fraction of the environmental impact. These solid bars are often made with fewer harsh chemicals and come without plastic packaging, helping reduce waste.
Shampoo bars are also highly concentrated, meaning each bar can last as long as several bottles of liquid shampoo. Ethique is one of our partners who donate shampoo bars, you can read more about embracing the switch and how to do it here.
Refurbished Laptops 💻
Refurbished laptops provide a more affordable, eco-friendly solution to help bridge the digital divide, and we’re proud to offer them to our Charitable Network as part of our commitment to ending digital poverty. By choosing a refurbished laptop, users not only save money but also significantly reduce their environmental impact—each refurbished device saves approximately 316 kg of CO₂e, which is equivalent to taking three cars off the road.
Refurbished tech extends the life of quality devices, minimising electronic waste, of which 1.6 million tonnes are generated each year (the equivalent of 64,000 London busses!). You can read more about refurbished computers from our friends at Digital Poverty Alliance.
What to do after you've used our products ♻️
Most of our products and packaging are recyclable across the UK when they come to the end of their life. Currently, each council has its own regulations around recycling, so remember to check your local council’s website for more information. The Waste Hierarchy can help you make more sustainable decisions when you’ve finished using our products, reusing products and packaging is more sustainable than recycling, which is in turn better than incineration and disposal in landfills.
One of our network partners, Norfolk Clubhouse, has used packaging and empty cartons/bottles for arts and crafts sessions for their end users, such as card holders and Christmas decorations. Our partners at Hobbycraft have lots of upcycling projects that mean empty bottles, toiler roll tubes and cardboard boxes can be given a second life, such as these ideas for Christmas.
We want to hear from you! 📧
If you’re looking for small ways to start making a big difference, introducing planet-friendly product options to your community could be a great start then. If you’re curious about using other products sustainably, or have a story to share, get in touch today to find out more.