Written by Robbie Laing of ecomersh.
12 days of Christmas – 12 swaps – 12 prizes – 12 winners!
This year has seen more eyes on sustainability than ever before – COP26 is the culmination of a general consensus that has been brewing for years now. We must act now, but how?
More than ever, you will find that friend or family member that wants advice on where to start. They may want to make a specific swap to something more planet-friendly, simply understand a little more about different types of eco-friendly products out there or may even be a reluctant environmentalist motivated into action after the recent news coverage (we don’t offer judgement, only sustainable options and solutions!)
ecomersh. has it covered! To showcase all of the amazing sustainable swaps on the platform we have created The 12 Swaps of Christmas. This is our biggest giveaway ever and it designed to help that person who wants to find out more about sustainability and the plastic free solutions that exist today. At ecomersh. we focus on specifically single use plastic free sustainable products only as we know that, staying the course, this is trajectory that the world is on. Naturally occurring materials, sustainably sourced and packaged up in planet friendly packaging.
So this year, for Christmas – our gift to you is this list of all these amazing sustainable swaps, perfect for those making first steps as well as seasoned eco warriors. So share it far and wide, it may seem a small act but it will make a big difference. There are 12 prizes up for grabs for 12 lucky winners and lots of fun ways to enter. Good luck to all participants and Happy Holidays from ecomersh. and Captain Bobcat Blog!
Plastic Free Bathroom & Self-Care Swaps
Swap #1 – Cheating a little bit with this one but it is the best example of sustainable swaps in one fantastic gift set – 6 in 1, a total of 6 different sustainable swaps for only £17.99.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/sustainable-eco-friendly-bathroom-beauty-starter-kit-gift-box-set/
The set that inspired this giveaway – all the sustainable bathroom basics and essentials you need in one box.
Swap #2 – Serious about sustainability, these tissues are the perfect solution to the thin non-recyclable plastic whilst also tackling the wider issue with toilet paper.
Introducing the UK’s only Carbon Neutral toilet paper!
Serious Tissues’ mission is to not just get people to stop damage to the environment but to help reverse it.
Change the world by changing your toilet paper. Serious Tissues recycled 3 Ply Toilet Paper is a soft that is made to the highest standards. Produced in the UK, just outside Manchester, from 100% recycled paper. No trees are harmed in the manufacturing process and the rolls are made without using any unnecessary chemicals (dyes, perfumes, etc.). Each roll has 280 sheets and 32.2 metres of soft toilet roll.
Swap #3 – Tackling harmful aerosols and inconvenient for recycling bits of plastic and metal, this is a perfect swap for the focus on the ingredients and the compostable packaging.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/minty-fresh-organic-deodorant-zero-waste-compostable-packaging/
Minty Fresh Organic Deodorant is an invigorating infusion of aromatic essential oils. It blends peppermint as well as eucalyptus to create a refreshing menthol deodorant.
With 100% certified organic and also natural ingredients, no aluminium, no baking soda, no palm oil and no chemical nasties it also comes in a fully compostable tube.
Swap #4 –
Swap #4 – A Soil Association certified organic shampoo which comprises naturally derived materials and contains so sulphates (SLS, SLES) or parabens.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/organic-sweet-orange-moisturising-shampoo-sustainable-haircare/
This eco-friendly shampoo is made with ethically-sourced ingredients and is palm-oil free. It contains Aloe Vera which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp, improves elasticity and prevents breakage. This shampoo will leave your hair smooth and shiny.
Sustainable Swaps for Food & Drink
Swap # 5 – With it’s practical and stylish handle, this bottle is a great swap for someone who wants to stay hydrated on the go. The convenient design means you can say goodbye to single use plastic bottles!
The perfect size stainless steel bottle, not too big and fits neatly in your lunch bag. The 304 stainless steel material doesn’t impart any flavour or smell to your drink and double wall keeps your cold drink cold for several hours.
Swap #6 – Cling film is one of the biggest scourges of the earth, brought about by it’s convenience but that can all end now! These wraps stick just like cling film, a great like for like swap.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/kitten-wax-food-wrap-set-of-3-x-10-vegan-wax-or-beeswax-wrap-set-zero-waste/
Ditch single use cling film and replace it with these vibrant 10”x10” reusable wax wraps.
Made with 100% cotton treated in jojoba oil (for antibacterial qualities) and tree rosin (to give it that ‘cling’ factor).
Cling film takes upwards of 25 years to break down. Imagine all the cling film and food bags we have used in our life time just sitting there suffocating our planet and wild life. Make the switch and also save money in the long run as these will last you years if treated right.
Swap #7 – No more brittle plastic knives, forks and straws – this set has everything you need to eat whilst out and about to help cut out single use plastics.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/bamboo-cutlery-set-natural-reusable-cutlery/
This travel cutlery pouch makes the perfect plastic free, zero waste as well as sustainable swap. Cut out single use plastic cutlery with this wonder.
Each pouch comes with a washable napkin and is also fastened with 100% cotton chord.
Swap #8 – These bowls make fantastic plastic free & natural food containers.
From salads to cereal to smoothie bowls – this natural sustainable swap will stand the test of time.
A perfect sustainable solution when combined with the Vegan Wax Wraps at number 6.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/natural-coconut-bowl-set-sustainable-kitchenware/
100% natural and handcrafted in Vietnam they’re made from reclaimed waste products and are the perfect a sustainable alternative to your everyday bowls. From smoothie bowls to buddha bowls, soups to salads, you name it and it can go in our coconut bowls. They are also ideal for serving snacks and nibbles for dinner parties or a night on the couch. The set is 100% natural and biodegradable, plus, the eco-friendly packaging is completely plastic free.
Planet Friendly Home & Gifting Swaps
Swap # 9 – A great vegan gift, this swap saves on difficult to recycle cartons and money. Team it up with oats from your local zero waste refill shop to make it the perfect plastic free vegan milk with all the fun of making it at home!
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/make-your-own-oat-milk-kit/
Finally, a kit that helps you to make oat milk for a fraction of the price. Inside the kit is all of the equipment you need to be able to make oat milk in as little as fifteen minutes. Oat Milk has boomed in popularity recently for its wonderful creamy texture but it can be hugely expensive. This often comes in non-recyclable cartons and will usually contain preservatives, emulsifiers and additives. By making it yourself, you can make it just how you like it and save a pretty penny too.
Swap # 10 – Microplastics breaking down into water from sponges leech into water systems and harm wildlife – this complete sustainable swap set will give you the cleaning solution for any situation. Team it up with one of the vegan dishwashing blocs on the platform.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/dish-brush-cleaning-set/
The ecojiko dish brush set makes washing up more enjoyable! The set is lovingly designed so that you can enjoy the retro style, together with the knowledge that your cleaning set is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Swap # 11 – Gifting can be a tricky issue when it comes to sustainability – a lot of cards, wrapping paper and gifts these days might end up being a lot less sustainable than you thought. Non-biodegradable glitter or virgin paper, it can be a minefield. Not only do 1 Tree Cards plant a tree with every card but they also give you seed cards to plant at home for every card – AND those seed cards will grow into plants and trees that help bees.
Winter’s Glow Festive 10 Pack | 1 Tree Cards | 10 Trees Planted | Seed Tokens
1 Tree Cards was born from the idea that the love sent through cards could be amplified to have positive effects around the world.
Every 1 Tree Card plants a tree through their partner charity, Eden Reforestation Projects; an amazing organisation whose planting projects act as a catalyst for good throughout communities.
1 Tree Cards strive to be as eco-conscious as possible. Their cards and envelopes are 100% recycled whilst also being printed with vegan inks and renewable energy.
The cards are sustainably sourced, they plant a tree for each card bought (so far they have planted 250,000!) and you also get as many seed tokens as cards with the order to plant at home. The seed tokens are chosen carefully so that they grow into plants and trees that are specifically helpful for bees!
Swap # 12 – We’ve all been there, the designated wrapping picker upper coming around with a black bin bag to collect all of the waste paper which maybe contain glitter or virgin paper. This swap is designed to be used over and over again, whilst also being made with natural cotton.
Cyclical products are becoming more and more important and this is a fantastic example of that.
https://ecomersh.co.uk/product/fabric-gift-bag-red-bird-design-three-small-gift-bags-bundle/
Give with the gift wrap that keeps on giving – this reusable gift wrap stops the need for the designated gift wrap waste collector at every birthday or holiday gift giving.
Cotton bag, interlined for extra strength and also with a matching stitched fabric ribbon that ties neatly into a bow, requires no tape, making wrapping easy!
Giveaway
The Twelve Swaps of Christmas – Sharing the message of Sustainability over the Holidays
Terms and conditions
The competition closes at 12:00 PM (noon) on 12th of December 2021 and the 12 winners (for each item) will be notified via email within 48 hours.
The giveaway is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over.
There is no maximum amount of times an individual can enter, and each entry will be in with a chance of winning.
TWELVE people will each wine ONE prize of the 12 – and they will be picked at random as a winners. The prize providers will send the prizes directly to the winners as soon as is reasonably possible. (It is the winners’ responsibility to reply with their full name and address in order to receive their prizes).
The winners will have 5 days to respond to their winners’ email. Otherwise we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
No cash alternatives are available.
The winners’ name will be posted onto them Captain Bobcat Blog website.
Check out my other giveaways, I always have some up running!