Make Plastic History

Success story 6 - We have stopped using plastic sponge scourers, which invariably come wrapped in plastic too. Our kitchen is now stocked with E-cloths, which are environmentally friendly, and reusable washing up pads that are packaged in recyclable cardboard boxes. All non-recyclable sponge scourers and packaging have been removed from our cleaning supplies. After trialling several alternatives to our previous sponge scourers, we were delighted to discover a practical cleaning product which is plastic-free and has plastic-free packaging.

Plastic sponge scourers

We have gotten rid of plastic washing up sponges altogether, replacing them with innovative E-cloths which are reusable and long lasting.

Challenge

As part of our rigorous hygiene regime, we would often use a large number of plastic sponges in a short period of time, and when we ordered replacements, they would come wrapped in excess plastic. In seeking plastic-free alternatives, it was a challenge to find good quality options that would be suitable for use in our busy kitchen.

Solution

We tried out a range of different plastic-free cleaning alternatives, each with varying degrees of suitability. We eventually settled on the long-lasting E-cloth, which comes with no excess plastic and is designed to clean using just water without detergents or other chemicals.

Top tips

Avoid the need for non-recyclable single-use plastic associated with cleaning sponges and other items by:

Replacing disposable plastic sponges with washable, reusable alternatives such as the E-cloth
Buying such items in-store, which prevents excess plastic packaging being sent to you
Many people are not aware of these alternative products, so let friends and family know about your sustainable product discoveries

Download a PDF of success story 6