This Plastic Free July Is Different. Here's Why....

Plastic Free July 2025 Mean Less Toxins, Less Waste, & More Wellness. Our 5 Ways on HOW to do this! 

Plastic Free July often brings up images of reusable shopping bags and beeswax wraps (which we love!) — but there’s a deeper reason to ditch plastic that doesn’t always get talked about: your health.

Plastics are more than an eyesore in the ocean, an animal trap, or a landfill problem. They’re showing up as microplastics in placentas and breastmilk as well as all sorts of human tissue like the lungs, liver, kidneys...even our brains. The shift toward low-waste living is also a shift toward low-tox living and being in your healthiest body, and that’s what the 2025 Plastic Free July is all about for us at CaliWoods.

We love solutions so here are five unexpected ways going plastic-free can lower your toxic load — and support a more vibrant, sustainable life.

1. Your Brain on Plastic: Why Natural Fibres Matter

A groundbreaking study in Nature Medicine (2024) revealed that plastic nanoparticles were found in the brains of all 52 people studied, with average levels equal to a plastic spoon’s worth. These tiny particles pass through the blood–brain barrier, raising serious questions about long-term neurological impacts.

Synthetic clothing — like polyester, nylon, and spandex — is a major source of microplastic exposure. These fabrics shed fibres during wear, washing, and drying, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Our recommendation? Shift to natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp, and linen. It’s a simple yet powerful change that supports both your health and the environment. Wash any synthetics you do have on cold and less, and use a Cora Ball to catch microfibres in the wash - you’ll be protecting your home and waterways at the same time. Points to remember:

• Avoid synthetic fabrics, especially when sweaty! 
  

• Wash clothes less frequently and on cooler cycles

• Use a Cora Ball

• Line dry clothes instead of using the dryer

2. Plastic-Free Food Storage: Ditch The Plastics

Image: CaliWoods Bento lunchbox in stainless steel, a perfect way to pack food plastic free. 

It’s not just what you eat — it’s how it’s stored. Plastics in food packaging and containers can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates into your food, especially when heated, oily, or acidic. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with your hormones, metabolism, and long-term health.

Swapping to glass jars, stainless steel containers, and silicone lids or beeswax wraps is an easy way to reduce exposure. Bonus: they last longer, look better, and cut down on waste, too. Whether it’s leftovers, lunch on the go, or pantry staples, low-tox food storage makes every meal that much safer for you and the planet. Check out our range of food storage options here. 

3. Low-Tox Parenting Starts with Nappies

Image: Shay (Founder of CaliWoods) doing Elimination Communication (EC) with her little boy.

Disposable nappies are loaded with plastic and often contain fragrances, dyes, and chemical gels that sit directly against the baby’s sensitive skin. They’re also responsible for a staggering amount of landfill waste.

But there’s another way. Elimination Communication (EC) is a gentle parenting approach based on tuning into a baby’s natural signals, right from birth. It reduces reliance on nappies, meaning fewer toxins, fewer rashes, and fewer nappies in the bin.

Shay used EC with her own son and is passionate about helping other families access this low-tox, low-waste approach. It’s not about perfection — it’s about learning a different way (that we think is better ;), one cue at a time. Learn more on the CaliWoods blog here.

4. Personal Care Swaps That Actually Make a Difference

Your morning routine could be one of the easiest places to reduce plastic and your toxic load. Many personal care products are full of synthetic chemicals and materials, and they often contain chemicals that don’t belong on your skin or in your mouth.

A few impactful swaps:

• Bamboo Hairbrush – Less breakage, no static, and made from natural materials that feel better on your scalp and break down at the end of life.
  

• Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner – Clears overnight build-up that would otherwise go straight to your gut. Ours is built to last decades and made from a single piece of stainless steel.

• Reusable Safety Razor & Natural Shaving Soap – Reduce plastic waste from your daily grooming rituals without weird gel strips on your razor blade and without compromising performance.

Small, daily rituals add up. These swaps keep synthetic chemicals and microplastics out of your routine — and out of your body.

5. Toothpaste: A Low-Tox Smile Without the Plastic

Your mouth is one of the most absorbent areas of the body, so why fill it with synthetic dyes, artificial sweeteners, and plastics?

Denttabs are toothpaste tablets made with minimalist, effective ingredients that actually polish enamel rather than grind it down (like the vast majority of toothpastes available). With compostable packaging and a 20-year track record in Europe, they’re one of the most thoroughly researched low-tox oral care options available today.

Choose from fluoride or fluoride-free, and check out the gentle strawberry flavour for kids. Your mouth — and the Earth — will thank you.

The Takeaway.

This Plastic Free July, let’s move beyond simply reducing waste and step into a conscious lifestyle that supports true wellness - for both the planet and ourselves. We don’t yet fully understand the long-term effects of having plastic inside our bodies, but what we do know is that a healthy, well-nourished and active body is far better equipped to handle environmental stressors, so take care of yourself!

Choosing low-tox, low-waste essentials isn’t just good for the planet, it’s a direct investment in your energy, clarity, and long-term wellbeing.