Plastic Free July

Did you know that an everyday plastic bag can take anything from 10 to 1,000 years to decompose? A plastic bottle can take up to 500 years to break down. Despite our efforts to recycle some plastics, there is still a whopping 300 million tonnes of plastic waste produced each year. It’s found at the peak of Mount Everest to the bottom of the ocean, causing a whole host of problems for wildlife and our natural spaces.

So instead of feeling virtuous for dropping that plastic carton into the recycling bin, consider avoiding plastic altogether and make some new lifelong habits.

Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages everyone to reduce their plastic use at home, work and school by replacing single-use plastic bags, straws and packaging with durable, reusable alternatives. Since its inception in 2011, the initiative has helped reduce the consumption of millions of tonnes of plastic, with an estimated 140 million people taking part across the world in 2021 alone. Find out how you can still get involved in Plastic Free July by visiting their website www.plasticfreejuly.org

Small individual changes can all add up to a big difference. By challenging yourself to go plastic-free you’ll not only be helping to reduce plastic pollution, but you could inspire others to make changes too. As part of our ongoing Sustainability Pledge to reduce our carbon footprint, here’s how we’ve been changing our plastic consumption at Royce Lingerie…

Plastic-free 

• Our bra boxes, postal boxes and delivery bags are all made from recycled, carbon-balanced cardboard and paper.
• The swing tags on our bras are now made from this same card material and attached with string (no more plastic fastenings).
• At Royce HQ in Banbury, we’re on a re-fill mission ensuring the kitchen and bathroom are stocked with refillable handwash, washing-up liquid and plastic-free toilet paper. The kitchen is also well-stocked with reusable cutlery and crockery – no plastic forks at lunchtime here!

Recycling

• …not technically plastic-free but the next best thing. At the moment, not all of our packaging and accessories can be made with plastic alternatives. However, we’ve reduced use of the problematic virgin (i.e. brand new) plastic by sourcing items such as hangers and storage bags made from recycled post-consumer plastic waste (such as plastic bottles and bags).
• We also recycle all old/used bras and fabric offcuts to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Our bra bank (look for one in your local stockist) collects old bras which are then recycled or repurposed by the charity Against Breast Cancer.

Sustainable materials

• We currently sell two bras predominantly made with GOTS-approved organic cotton (Eden and Fearne – see more info below) and plan to expand use of this fabric (it’s also used in the lining of our Comfi-Bra Blush). GOTS (the Global Organic Textile Standard) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.
• All of our bra components (such as zips and elastic) are Oeko-Tex approved which means they produce a non-hazardous end-product.

Eden

Eden is our first organic cotton bra and the debut style in our sustainable range. The enclosed front-fastening zip is lined making it soft against the skin and smooth under clothing.

View Eden

Fearne

Made from soft organic cotton. Fearne is the first E – H cup wirefree, front fastening bra in our range.

View Fearne

You may be doing some of these already (*high five*), but here are a few simple swaps you can make.

Pack your own reusables – For when you want to grab a drink on the move, keep your own reusable coffee cup, water bottle and reusable straw on your bag so you need never use a plastic one.

Take a cloth tote – Cloth tote bags are everywhere right now. These lightweight bags can be rolled up small enough to fit in your pocket so no need to buy a plastic bag at the shops.

Go bonkers for bamboo – This sustainable material (it grows super quickly) is a brilliant plastic alternative, particularly for foodie products as it’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Look for bamboo lunchboxes, cutlery and cups as durable replacements for plastic ones.

Alternative packaging – Say goodbye to plastic wrapping such as clingfilm. There are plenty of great alternatives for your packed lunch or picnic such as beeswax wraps (reusable cloths dipped in beeswax that keep food such as bread and cheese fresh), sandwich bags made of cellulose fibre and good old fashioned paper wrapping. Save any empty jars and reuse for pot salads, dressings or dry snacks such as nuts and seeds.

Of course, our sustainable actions aren’t just about being plastic-free – read the latest including where we’ve gone paperless and how we’re switching to renewable energy…

Our Sustainability Pledge