5 interior design solutions for a plastic-free home
Did you know that more than 8 million tonnes of new plastic pollution enter our oceans each year? What’s worse, the majority of these plastics are so durable that they take hundreds of years to break down. Yikes!
While these statistics are scary, they’re not irreversible. Plastic-free July (#plasticfreejuly) is an amazing initiative which aims to promote positive change by minimising our consumption of disposable plastics. And making eco-friendly consumer choices doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, we want to show you how easy it can be to extend the plastic-free habits beyond bamboo straws, keep cups or hemp bags and into the rest of your home – all without impacting on style.
Go natural with floor coverings
Natural rugs are made of many materials, including sisal, jute, hemp, wool and bamboo. These natural materials are rapidly renewable resources – the plants can be harvested over and over, creating an infinite resource that doesn’t create strain on the environment. In addition to better health and cleanliness, using completely natural floor coverings in your home can create a cosy, organic environment. Armadillo & Co’s (pictured) has a fine collection of handwoven natural beauties that will enhance any interior.
Pick up recycled plastic masterpieces
Going plastic-free doesn’t necessarily mean boycotting plastic. Confused? There are more and more designers popping up who are putting used plastics to good use. Rather than manufacturing from new plastics, they’re minimising our existing plastic waste and creating stunning pieces in the process. Designer Brodie Neill created the table above from small fragments of reconstituted plastic – and boy is it fabulous!
Go green with furnishing upgrades
It’s not just recycled plastic that can minimise our impact on the environment. Every minute, 40 football fields of forest land are destroyed to feed our timber appetites. With that rate of consumption, every forest on the planet could be gone within 100 years! We’re not trying to be all doom and gloom here, but that’s one pretty compelling reason to look for an alternative. And it doesn’t just have to be upcycled wood – Ottan Studio creates beautiful lamps, tables and décor out of food and green waste (think fruit peels, tree leaves and clipped grass).
Get cosy in the bedroom
Microplastics from synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon make up 85% of the human-made materials found in the ocean. Choosing plastic-free bedlinen is both an investment for our homes and for the health of our planet. The organic bamboo bedding from Ettitude (pictured) is an excellent example of a luxurious and planet-friendly option.
Don’t forget about the walls
The more you look around your home, the more you will realise how many pieces of furniture and decor could be plastic-free. But what about your walls? Specifically, the paint that’s covering them. This is the one element that is often overlooked when it comes to a wall colour update. Many wall paints are acrylics based (aka plastic). Choosing one that uses natural pigments and raw materials is not only a great way to reduce your plastic consumption, but also a safer option as it is less likely to contain VOCs (those nasty solvents that can cause all sorts of health problems). One great option is Volvox, a wonderful brand which produces a range of gorgeous paints made from natural clay.