World Oceans Day 2022: The sustainable swaps to make, from shampoo bars to reusable coffee cups

It is estimated that the UK uses 14.1 billion drink bottles and more than four billion hot drink cups a year – it’s no wonder then that our oceans are drowning in plastic. We can all do our bit by pledging to avoid single-use plastic water bottles in favour of a reusable version.

In our review of best reusable water bottles, the Hydro Flask wide mouth came out on top. Our reviewer loved how well it kept cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for as long as 12 hours. “It also has a wide mouth that makes drinking water a lot easier, and since it holds 946ml, you will hit your daily water quota without taking multiple trips to the tap,” they said.

The average woman spends 2,535 days of her life on her period, and single-use period products are the fifth most common waste product washed up on our shores. The good news is that there are plenty of plastic-free alternatives.

Wuka’s perform seamless midi brief was our favourite sustainable period product, with our reviewer praising “the pants as incredibly smooth and silky” and that “they hug the body but don’t dig in”.

We were also impressed with how discreet they looked. “Even when worn under a satin slip skirt, there was no significant visible panty line (VPL). At the same time, they felt secure and absorbent,” said our tester. Wuka is also donating one per cent of sales to its charity partner, Surfers Against Sewage.

The more you learn about issues facing our oceans, the more you’ll want to help ensure their health, and then share your knowledge and educate others. Written by Lucy Siegle, journalist and presenter of BBC’s The One Show, Turning the Tide on Plastic provides lots of of real-life examples of encounters with unnecessary plastic in her life, and how to overcome it. With plenty of product swaps, helpful links and detailed information on the different types of plastics and how they can be recycled, this is an invaluable resource.

Earning a spot in our round-up of the best sustainable books, our reviewer said: “Given how many single-use water bottles, coffee cups and carrier bags we get through, Lucy reckons that if just 12 readers adopt her ‘reduce, rethink, refill, refuse’ approach, it could save up to 15,000 single-use plastic items from landfill every year.”

Not only do emissions from driving contribute significantly to global warming, but tyres also account for one of the greatest sources of microplastic pollution in our oceans, with Friends of the Earth estimating that up to 19,000 tonnes of tyre fragments get into UK waterways, rivers and seas each year.

Reduce the effects of climate change on the oceans by leaving your car at home and make cycling your new mode of transport. Our beginner’s guide to cycling has all the tips, tools and things you’ll need to get started.

This Raleigh foldable bike is a great option if you’re low on space and it took the top spot in our round-up of folding bikes. “This folder from Raleigh is a great choice for city dwellers and commuters alike,” they said. “At 14.5kg, it’s nippy around town thanks to those small 20in wheels, which are quick to get up to speed. The seven-speed gears, operated by a grip shifter, will also see you up all but the steepest hills.”

Surfers Against Sewage was founded in the 1990s by a group of like-minded surfers, swimmers and open-water enthusiasts who were united by one common goal: tackling chronic sewage and plastic pollution that was not only damaging our oceans but also making people ill. Fast forward to today and the group has grown into a leading marine conservation charity, inspiring ocean activism worldwide. Coordinating beach clean-ups and campaigning locally and nationally, the charity is leading the plastic-free movement with the help of volunteers. Take action by joining or organising a beach clean, fundraising or donating.

Show your support with this ocean people tote bag. It’s made from natural materials, shipped in plastic-free packaging and designed to be sent back and remade into new products, again and again, so replace single-use plastic bags for good.

In the UK, 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away every year – a number that could be prevented with the wider use of reusable coffee cups. In our yearly round-up of the best reusable coffee cups, we’ve repeatedly named the Circular&Co reusable coffee cup as our best buy.

“Even after testing many different mugs, it’s still our favourite in all the factors we consider important – not least because the company helps tackle the problem of takeaway cups in more ways than one,” said our reviewer. The brand collects millions of used coffee cups across the country, cleaning and shredding them to blend the material with recycled polymer to make its reusable cup.

“The smooth cup allows for a 360-degree drinking experience, which means it feels no different to drinking from a standard mug or coffee cup, and it kept our drinks hot for longer than an hour,” praised our tester.