Plastic Free July: Why It’s More Than Just a Month for Us

If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably already know—we’ve never been big on trends.

We didn’t ditch plastic because it was fashionable. We did it because it made sense.

When I first started The Australian Natural Soap Company in a tiny kitchen, I wasn’t dreaming of global plastic-free movements or viral hashtags. I was dreaming of something simple: skin care that was good for people, and good for the planet. No nonsense. No plastic. No palm oil. Just soap—real soap—made from beautiful Australian plant oils.

And here we are. A decade later. Still plastic-free. Still loud about it.

So yes, Plastic Free July is our kind of month—but for us, it’s not a one-month gig. It’s built into everything we do.

Why We Still Talk About Plastic

Sometimes people ask, “Isn’t plastic-free a given now?”

I wish.

The truth is, plastic still dominates bathrooms and beauty aisles. Liquid cleansers in plastic bottles. Shampoo in squeeze tubes. Moisturisers in tubs that look recyclable but really aren’t.

We’re sold convenience, but at what cost?

The average Aussie uses over 130kg of plastic every year, and only a tiny fraction of that is truly recycled. The rest? It ends up in landfill, or worse—our oceans.

What Plastic Free Means to Us

For us, plastic-free isn’t a marketing angle—it’s the baseline.

It means:

• Using compostable packaging (home compostable, not greenwashed nonsense).

• Shipping without plastic void fillers or tape.

• Making solid bars instead of liquid where we can.

• Offering bulk options so customers can refill instead of rebuy.

It also means taking responsibility for every part of the product’s life cycle—not just what happens when it’s on your shelf.

And let me tell you, it’s not always easy. It’s definitely not cheaper. But it’s the right thing to do. And that’s how I sleep at night.

Why Bulk Matters (and Why We’re Making More of It)

This year, for Plastic Free July, we’re leaning even harder into bulk. You can now grab 1kg soap blocks, 2L liquid refills—and for the first time, our limited 5L Olive Castile drums.

It means fewer deliveries. Less packaging. Less pressure on our team to hand-box everything individually. More value for you. Less impact on the planet.

Win-win-win.

We’re also bringing back some cult classics (yes, I see you Activated Charcoal fans) in raw 500g blocks. Less packaging. More of the good stuff.

So What Can You Do This July?

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight.

But maybe this is the month you:

• Switch to a solid shampoo bar.

• Skip the body wash and try a handmade soap instead.

• Refill your hand wash instead of rebuying the plastic pump bottle.

• Share your bulk order with a friend.

Little steps. Thoughtful choices. Big difference.

We’ll Keep Doing Our Bit—Every Month of the Year

Plastic Free July is a great moment to reflect and reset. But we’re here, doing this, every single month.

So if you’re already on the plastic-free journey, thank you. If you’re just getting started—welcome.

And if you’re somewhere in between? You’re in good company.

Soapy hugs,
Emma xx