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New figures reveal we are now producing nearly 300 million tons of plastic every year, half of which is used just one and then thrown away.

More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year.

We all know we should reduce our plastic consumption but sometimes the lure of buying single use plastics in the form of a bottle of water or a takeaway coffee can prove irresistible. 

Despite this, a recent study by YouGov of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by BRITA UK and environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, found that only a third of Britons bother to carry a refillable water bottle. 

Here MailOnline looks at some of the best eco-friendy products on the market that are either made using recycled plastic or replace plastic with ocean friendly alternatives: Pictured is a SodaStream which could reduce the average household plastic bottle intake by 1,282 bottles

Here MailOnline looks at some of the best eco-friendy products on the market that are either made using recycled plastic or replace plastic with ocean friendly alternatives: Pictured is a SodaStream which could reduce the average household plastic bottle intake by 1,282 bottles

And yet as consumers become more aware of plastic waste, companies from Adidas to Waitrose are creating products that not only eschew plastics, but recycle existing plastics that are already polluting our environment.

2018 has seen more plastic-free alternatives hit the market than ever before. 

Now, you can wear trainers made of recycled plastic found in the ocean, wrap your sandwiches in a natural and biodegradable alternative to cling film and even go to sleep under a luxurious recycled plastic duvet.

Here MailOnline looks at some of the best eco-friendy products on the market that are either made using recycled plastic or replace plastic with ocean friendly alternatives.   

 

FOOD AND DRINK 

SodaStream Crystal Sparkling Water Maker 

If you love sparkling water but feel guilty whenever you spot all the 2L bottles in your recycling bin, why not ditch the shops and make your own plastic free sparkling water?

The SodaStream Crystal turns tap water into sparkling in seconds, and is a healthy alternative to sugary fizzy drinks, as you can infuse your sparkling water with natural fruit.

The SodaStream Crystal can help cut down on your single-use plastic bottle intake, reducing the average household plastic bottle intake by 1,282 bottles – but the best part is it means you don’t have to carry heavy bottles from the shop anymore.

The SodaStream Crystal can help cut down on your single-use plastic bottle intake, reducing the average household plastic bottle intake by 1,282 bottles

The SodaStream Crystal can help cut down on your single-use plastic bottle intake, reducing the average household plastic bottle intake by 1,282 bottles

The SodaStream Crystal comes with a dishwasher-safe glass carafe and like all SodaStream Sparkling Water Makers the Crystal comes with a 60 litre aluminium gas cylinder too, so you can make up to 60 litres of sparkling water. 

RRP £129.99  

The Warner Edwards Gin Nature Box

The Nature Box (RRP £50), is a wooden box housing a bottle of small-batch distilled 70cl Honeybee gin, making it the ideal gift for eco-friendly gin lovers. 

The sustainable box can be upcycled in a variety of ways including as a bird box, eco-planter or bee hotel.

The Nature Box (RRP £50), is a wooden box housing a bottle of small-batch distilled 70cl Honeybee gin, making it the ideal gift for eco-friendly gin lovers

It can be used as a bird box after

The Nature Box (RRP £50), is a wooden box housing a bottle of small-batch distilled 70cl Honeybee gin, making it the ideal gift for eco-friendly gin lovers

The Warner Edwards Honeybee Gin, which contains 28 natural botanicals, is infused with luscious local honey and dollop of golden nectar from the hives on the Warner Edwards farm in Northamptonshire. 

The bottle has been released in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society and each bottle sold goes to support their work. Every bottle also comes with a packet of wildflower seeds so that gin lovers can plant their own bee-friendly botanicals. 

The box can be upcycled in a variety of ways including as a bird box, eco-planter or bee hotel

The box can be upcycled in a variety of ways including as a bird box, eco-planter or bee hotel

Riverford organic boxes

Riverford deliver organic veg boxes to homes across England (about 50,000 a week).

Because they grow, pack and deliver themselves, they are in a unique position to use as little packaging as possible.

Whatever packaging they do use (be it card, plastic or anything else), if customers cannot recycle it at home (and it’s not reusable), they collect it and recycle it on the farm, where they have a zero to landfill policy.

Riverford deliver organic veg boxes to homes across England (about 50,000 a week)

Riverford deliver organic veg boxes to homes across England (about 50,000 a week)

The Riverford box scheme began when farmer Guy Singh-Watson converted his first field into an organic one and started delivering vegetables locally to friends in his 2CV. 

The seasonal organic veg boxes start at £11.75 with seven types of vegetables. We offer every size up to a bumper box for 4+ people, as well as the chance to add optional extras from the entire Riverford range.  

Carlsberg snap pack

Carlsberg has launched a revolutionary new ‘snap pack’ which offers an ocean friendly alternative to the traditional plastic packaging.

Snap Pack removes the bulky plastic rings that commonly harm marine life with small plastic recyclable bonds that are easily snapped apart to release the individual cans.

The new packs reduce plastic and limit waste as well as reducing CO2 emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

 Snap Pack aims to reduce the Carlsberg Group’s global plastic usage by more than 1,200 tonnes annually once all packaging is rolled out in its eleven markets.

The packs are now available exclusively in Tesco in all of its 6 x Carlsberg Export packs, £6.

The packs are now available exclusively in Tesco in all of its 6 x Carlsberg Export packs, £6

The packs are now available exclusively in Tesco in all of its 6 x Carlsberg Export packs, £6

Clothing/ Shoes 

Adidas x Parley

In 2014 adidas announced a partnership with Parley Ocean Plastic, a product made from upcycled plastic waste which is intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches our oceans.

Since then, adidas have worked with Parley to transform ocean plastic in to performance sportswear and in 2016, the first commercial run of performance footwear went on sale.

Each pair of shoes prevents the equivalent of 11 plastic bottles from entering our oceans. This year 5 million pairs of shoes will be made from Parley Ocean Plastic 

adidas x Parley also offers a clothing range – a pair of swimming trunks are priced at £17.95 and are spun from old fishing nets and other discarded nylon. 

The most expensive item in the range are a pair of ULTRABOOST X PARLEY trainers at £169.95 which are also made of recycled ocean waste.

Each pair of shoes prevents the equivalent of 11 plastic bottles from entering our oceans

Each pair of shoes prevents the equivalent of 11 plastic bottles from entering our oceans

Speedo’s H20 Active Range

 Speedo’s H2O Active is a sustainable and eco-friendly work out range designed for women to wear both in and out of the water. 

Designed using Powerflex Eco, which is created from 78% Econyl® yarn, the innovative regenerated fibre turns waste from fishing nets, manufacturing by-products and even carpet into first grade nylon fabric – creating a functional fabric that’s also kind to the environment.

To view the entire H2O Active collection, starting at £9, click

The kit is designed using Powerflex Eco, which is created from 78% Econyl® yarn, the innovative regenerated fibre turns waste from fishing nets into clothing

Suitable for swimming or working out

Designed using Powerflex Eco, which is created from 78% Econyl® yarn, the innovative regenerated fibre turns waste from fishing nets, manufacturing by-products and even carpet into first grade nylon fabric – creating a functional fabric that’s also kind to the environment

ModiBodi underwear 

Here science and modern technology come together to create stylish period and leak-proof underwear – reducing the need for plastic liners and sanitary products.

Australian modern apparel brand Modibodi™ has finally arrived in the UK, combining comfortable underwear with incredible technology to offer period, pee and perspiration proof underwear and swimwear for women.

 The UK website features a range of 16 different underwear and swimwear pieces, each with different benefits including the active underwear- ideal for gym bunnies and those that work out, and maternity undies – perfect for new mums. 

With a range of styles including seamfree, high waisted and thongs, there is something for everybody.

Science and modern technology come together to create stylish period and leak-proof underwear - reducing the need for plastic liners and sanitary products

Science and modern technology come together to create stylish period and leak-proof underwear – reducing the need for plastic liners and sanitary products

The clever and exclusive Modifier Technology™ featured in the flagship Modibodi period and pee-proof underwear features a three-layer component; the top layer quickly wicks away moisture, fights bacteria and stops odors, a middle layer quickly absorbs fluid and locks it away (up to 20 mls absorbency) and the third bottom layer gives you extra leak-proof protection, ensuring you are at your most secure and confident, with no leaking through to clothes – which means total freedom.  

The full range can be found with prices ranging from £15.50 to £25 for underwear collections and the swimwear starting at £72. 

Beauty and healthcare 

Green People Tree and Seed kit 

Green People’s range of natural, certified organic and cruelty-free gifts are kind to the environment and your skin. 

Products are never tested on animals, free from harmful ingredients and are complete with recyclable packaging.

For him, choose Tree & Seed, infused with the invigorating aroma of Eucalyptus and Mint.

Green People's range of natural, certified organic and cruelty-free gifts are kind to the environment and your skin: Tree and Seed gift set for men £24.95

Green People’s range of natural, certified organic and cruelty-free gifts are kind to the environment and your skin: Tree and Seed gift set for men £24.95

This deeply hydrating, botanical shower gel and moisturiser gift has a refreshing, minty aroma that revives tired skin, calms irritation and energises the mind.

A donation from the sale of each Modern Botanicals gift goes to Plant Life, a British conservation charity that works to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi.

£24.95

White Glo vegan toothpaste and bamboo toothbrush 

White Glo have introduced a brand new tooth whitening toothpaste to the UK, White Glo Pure & Natural – and each pack comes with a free eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush.

White Glo’s Pure & Natural is a healthy and safe, natural whitening toothpaste.

This premium all-natural whitening toothpaste is free from harsh chemicals, fluoride, peroxide, and bleaches. It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and made with organic ingredients.

White Glo have introduced a brand new tooth whitening toothpaste to the UK, White Glo Pure & Natural - and each pack comes with a free eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush

White Glo have introduced a brand new tooth whitening toothpaste to the UK, White Glo Pure & Natural – and each pack comes with a free eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush

Most toothpastes contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a chemical used in toothpaste to create the foaming action. 

SLS can cause or irritate existing allergies, and even trigger bad breath. 

Many whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth however peroxide and other bleaches can erode the enamel on your teeth which keeps them strong, and extended use can lead to long-term damage.  

Pure & Natural uses a unique blend of natural ingredients to whiten your teeth without using these chemicals.  

£6 from Boots. 

So Eco Vegan plastic free make up brushes

So Eco is an ethical make-up brush brand that has just been shortlisted for this year’s Pure Beauty Awards for its environmentally friendly packaging. 

The brushes are not only vegan and ethically sourced but the packaging is biodegradable, using cornstarch as a replacement for plastic on the window of the box. 

The boxes are also printed with vegetable inks to ensure the whole package is environmentally friendly.

So Eco are an eco-friendly brand who source 100% of their product components ethically and responsibly.

The makeup brushes are 100% cruelty free and vegan. The brush handles are made from sustainably sourced bamboo, the ferrules are made using recycled aluminum and the brush bristles are taklon which is a synthetic fibre. 

Available at Sainsburys and various online retailers, prices start from RRP £6. 

So Eco Face Brush Kit- £20

So Eco Bronzer Brush - £13

So Eco Face Brush Kit is £20 (left) and the So Eco Bronzer Brush (right) is £13.

The products are currently sold in Sainsburys and various online retailers including website class=»mol-para-with-font»>Rituals Luxury Gift Sets

Rituals have released eco-friendly Luxury Christmas Gift Sets starting from £19.50 which contain combinations of body and home products.

While the inlay is 100 per cent compostable, the luxury keepsake box is reusable and can store your favourite things and because the large and extra-large boxes are more compact, Rituals are able to ship more at a time and reduce transportation.

The boxes are available in Rituals core collections such as The Ritual of Ayurveda as well as newer collections such as the limited edition Ritual of Yalda.

Rituals also produce eco-chic refills for many of their skincare, body and home products which fit perfectly within the luxurious packaging they first came in to help cut down on plastic and waste. 

Luxury Christmas Gift Sets starting from £19.50, available from Rituals.com.

Rituals have released eco-friendly Luxury Christmas Gift Sets starting from £19.50 which contain combinations of body and home products

Rituals have released eco-friendly Luxury Christmas Gift Sets starting from £19.50 which contain combinations of body and home products

Biodegradable glitter 

Bioglitter is the first naturally degradable cosmetic glitter in the world and can be used in makeup.

It has been developed to tackle the microplastic pollution caused by traditional polyester based glitter.  Bioglitter is made with plant material rather than polyester and will naturally decompose in the environment.

Currently, the firm has a glitter which is 92 per cent plastic free and have pledged to create a glitter which is 100 per cent plastic free.

Buy it online through its UK stockists, listed

Bioglitter is the first naturally degradable cosmetic glitter in the world and can be used in makeup

Bioglitter is the first naturally degradable cosmetic glitter in the world and can be used in makeup

Woobamboo: eco-friendly dental care

Consisting of toothbrushes, pastes and floss that has 100 per cent environmentally-friendly product and packaging, this range is dentist approved and recommended. 

The toothbrushes are organically grown, sustainably harvested and biodegradable.

The handles are biodegradable and can go in the compost or garden – or just put the whole thing in recycling. The bristles can be removed with tweezers and recycled.

The dental floss is made with biodegradable silk and the packaging is its own dispenser

The dental floss is made with biodegradable silk and the packaging is its own dispenser

There are toothbrushes for adults, children and pets in the range and the fluoride-free and vegan toothpastes are natural and unique.

The toothpastes are made with plant-based plastic and a bamboo cap, both recyclable, and come in four flavours: Vanilla Mint, Sweet Cinnamon, Toasted Marshmallow and Bubble Berry. 

The dental floss is made with biodegradable silk and the packaging converts into its own dispenser. The toothpaste is £8 from Mother Earth range

These Day and Night Creams are 100per cent natural and packaged in easily recycled (or kept!) glass jars with metal lids.

The Mother Earth collections are totally revolutionary in their simplicity. In a world claiming to be natural, they are natural. In a world of haste and mass production, Mother Earth takes the time to create hand made products, carefully produced in the Lake District. 

The 60ml glass jars with metal lids are priced at £11.95 for the Night Creams and £12.95 for the Day Creams. All are available via beautynaturals.com.

Beauty Kubes, Zero Waste Organic Shampoo

Reduce your plastic waste with these luxurious, organic shampoo cubes. 

Each packaged box contains 27 scented ‘kubes’ which are packed full of natural ingredients and gentle, biodegradable cleansing agents. Each ‘kube’ provides enough gentle cleansing power for one wash and leaves hair soft, shiny and free from build-up – without damaging the environment.

Infused with rose extract, coconut milk, pro vitamin B5, vitamin e, olive oil and a blend of organic palmarosa, orange and grapefruit essential oils, Beauty Kubes smell amazing. They do not contain any animal derived ingredients, or any ingredients tested on animals. They are also 100% cruelty free, sulphate free, synthetic fragrance free and synthetic preservative free.

Just take one cube into the bath or shower, crumble the dry cube into the palm of your hand, then add a little water to make a paste. Just smooth over the hair, add more water and massage into hair to create a luxurious lather. 

£8.50 for 27

Reduce your plastic waste with these luxurious, organic shampoo cubes

Reduce your plastic waste with these luxurious, organic shampoo cubes

The Love Beauty and Planet range  

Love Beauty and Planet is a new beauty brand from Unilever that has sustainability at its heart.

With ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, vegan-friendly formulations and bottles that are 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, Love Beauty and Planet is for everyone who wants to give a little bit of love back to our planet, without compromising on beauty-boosting results. 

The range of hair, face and body care products come in covetable variants such as Muru Muru Butter & Rose, Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower and Coconut Oil & Ylang Ylang.

Every one of the bottles is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic and is 100 per cent recyclable. 

Priced from RRP £4.99 – £9.99 and available in Boots stores nationwide now.

With ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, vegan-friendly formulations and bottles that are 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, Love Beauty and Planet is a great new range

With ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients, vegan-friendly formulations and bottles that are 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, Love Beauty and Planet is a great new range

Elsa’s Organic Skinfoods Natural Deodorant Creme

These award winning 100 per cent natural and organic 4-in-1 deodorants have been launched plastic-free, with the product housed in tins.

They also donate £1 from every Ocean tin sold to the charity Plastic Oceans UK. 

A fresh unisex scent, powered by coconut oil with stimulating peppermint is boosted with healing antibacterial tea tree. 

£1 from the sale of each tin sold is donated to the charity Plastic Oceans UK and each application leaves you feeling fresh and clean.

, £9.60, 45g. 

These award winning 100 per cent natural and organic 4-in-1 deodorants have been launched plastic-free, with the product housed in tins

These award winning 100 per cent natural and organic 4-in-1 deodorants have been launched plastic-free, with the product housed in tins

Babies and kids  

Kit & Kin baby wipes 

100% biodegradable baby wipes from Kit & Kin, Emma Bunton’s mother & baby brand, offer an environmentally friendly alternative to normal wipes.

Many standard household brand wipes can have a really damaging environmental impact – they are woven together with plastic resins such as polyester or polypropylene, which are not biodegradable and can cause blockages in sewage systems and are later washed up on riverbeds and beaches.

Kit & Kin baby wipes are completely plastic-free – and use a sustainable, 100% plant based material which will completely biodegrade. 

Not only are they better for the environment but are also hypoallergenic to be kind to baby’s skin, and offer gentle but effective cleansing with aloe vera, chamomile and cucumber extract.

From £2.75 at Reusable nappies 

Tickle Tots have a range of innovative, high quality reusable nappies that incorporate environmental and ethical factors.

The Tickle Tots reusable nappy has a unique registered design which has a combination of features not found on any other nappy currently available in the UK.

Tickle Tots have a range of innovative, high quality reusable nappies that incorporate environmental and ethical factors

Tickle Tots have a range of innovative, high quality reusable nappies that incorporate environmental and ethical factors

Its features include a waterproof outer with a stay dry fabric lining and a sewn in absorbent core for absorbency. 

It also has a pocket allowing extra boosters to be added to increase absorbency and to turn the nappy inside out to speed drying times. 

What’s more, it has double layered leg gussets to prevent leaks, hook and loop closing and snaps on the front to adjust the rise – making this a nappy that can last from birth to potty training (approx. 9lb – 35lb). 

Tickle Tots are £18.75 each from Home

Ecover Ocean Washing Up Liquid Bottle 

Ecover has launched its limited-edition Ecover Ocean Washing-Up Liquid Bottle, made from 50 per cent plastic waste collected from the sea, waterways and shores of Rio de Janeiro, and 50 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic. 

The washing-up liquid is formulated using biodegradable and renewable, plant-based ingredients.

Ecover has launched its limited-edition Ecover Ocean Washing-Up Liquid Bottle

Ecover has launched its limited-edition Ecover Ocean Washing-Up Liquid Bottle

The limited-edition Ocean Bottle comes after research by Ecover showed three-quarters of British people are concerned about the amount of plastic in our oceans, and two-thirds worry about plastic affecting wildlife.

Ecover plans to use 100 per cent recycled plastic (PCR) in all bottles by 2020, and trial the use of biodegradable and plant-based alternatives to plastic. The company is also working with major retailers to find ways to offer consumers refill options in-store.

£2 from Sainsbury’s. 

Fine Bedding Company ECO Duvet

The Fine Bedding Company has created a 100 per cent recycled ECO Duvet made from recycled plastic bottles.

It is the UK’s first 100 per cent recycled duvet and from its packaging to its filling, the new ECO duvet is made entirely from recycled waste products that would otherwise have ended up as landfill or, worse still, floating in the world’s oceans.

Each 10.5 tog double duvet is filled with luxurious silky soft micro fine fibres made from the equivalent of 120 PET bottles.

The Fine Bedding Company has created a 100 per cent recycled ECO Duvet made from recycled plastic bottles

The Fine Bedding Company has created a 100 per cent recycled ECO Duvet made from recycled plastic bottles

It’s ideal for consumers that have been motivated to reduce plastic waste entering the oceans and want to choose luxurious products that are kinder to the planet.

The ECO duvet is priced £70 for a King, £60 for the double, from its Bee Wraps

Ditch the clingfilm and foil and use Bee’s Wrap Honeycomb Reusable Sandwich Wraps instead.

This reusable product offers a plastic-free solution to wrapping sandwiches, leftovers, cut fruit and veg, cakes, bread and more – and as they’re fully biodegradable and compostable, they’ll help reduce your carbon footprint.

Ditch the clingfilm and foil and use Bee's Wrap Honeycomb Reusable Sandwich Wraps instead

Ditch the clingfilm and foil and use Bee’s Wrap Honeycomb Reusable Sandwich Wraps instead

Each wrap has been made from organic cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin and are easy to use.

The wraps are softened with the warmth of your hands allowing a seal to be created which will hold once the wrap cools.

The natural antibacterial properties allow the wraps to be reused, and even when used several times a week, each wrap should last for a full year.

In between uses just wash with cool water and a little soap and hang to dry.

Dimensions: Small – 20cm x 17cm (ideal for a lemon, avocado etc) Medium – 27.5cm x 25cm (ideal for cheese, covering a bowl etc) Large – 35cm x 33cm (ideal for half a melon, baked goods etc).

£18 for three from

The natural antibacterial properties allow the wraps to be reused, and even when used several times a week, each wrap should last for a full year

The natural antibacterial properties allow the wraps to be reused, and even when used several times a week, each wrap should last for a full year

The Rug Seller Hug Rug  

The Rug Seller has just launched new designs from eco-friendly brand Hug Rug, which will stop dirty shoes and muddy paws in their tracks.

The backing of these barrier mats is made from recycled PET plastic bottles and they’re 100 per cent recyclable as well – so when you’re done wiping your dirty feet you can pop them in the recycling bin.

For those looking to introduce low impact living into their lifestyle and put plastic waste to good use this is a great choice.

With an extra-absorbent cotton surface, the barrier mats trap around 95 per cent of dirt from entering the home.

Once they’ve absorbed all the muck, Hug Rug barrier mats can be machine washed in a domestic washing machine.

Hug Rug Barrier Mat Home priced from £39.99 from

The Rug Seller has just launched some new designs from eco-friendly brand Hug Rug

The Rug Seller has just launched some new designs from eco-friendly brand Hug Rug