Plastic-Free July
A Chat About How We Cut Waste at the Indooroopilly Pop-Up (and How You Can, Too)
“Does Plastic-Free July really move the needle?”
Short answer: yes. Last year 174 million people worldwide took the challenge, think of it as a global nudge to rethink throw-away habits. (Plastic Free Foundation)
Australia still bins about 100 kg of plastic per person every year, and only 13% of that gets a second life. (Agriculture Dept.) So every small swap we make inside the stall, and every swap you make at home, really does matter.
We don’t have to be perfect; just little swaps make a difference.
A Walk-Through of Our Low-Waste Popup Store
- Repurposed Paper Barrel – Scored from the legends at Reverse Garbage QLD and given fresh life by our sign artist @nburkedesign. The barrel’s curved surface makes a gorgeous corner podium!
- Vintage Steamer Trunk – Also rescued this time from FB MarketPlace; we added salvaged plexiglass again from Reverse Garbage QLD for a flat lifted surface and another beautiful painted artwork from Nicole Burke.
- Artwork, Not Clutter – Nicole Burke (our artist) paints directly on the repurposed pieces, so there’s no need for vinyl banners. Plus our printed posters are on cardboard or paper.
- Tester Sticks – Plain mini popsicle wood sticks for testing our balms, fully compostable after use.
- Paper Product Labels – They aren’t oil-proof (we know, we sometimes smudge them too!), but they break down quickly once you’re done.
- Digital Receipts First – Printer stays on standby unless you really need a paper copy.
The Products Pulling Their Weight (or… Not Adding to It)
| Swap | Old Way | Mantra Bee Way | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo Bottle | Plastic bottle | Solid Shampoo Soap Bar | One bar ≈ 2 bottles saved, and it lives in a paper band wrapper, not shrink-wrap. |
| Twist-Up Lip Balm | Plastic wind-up tube | 100% Paper Tube (twice the size of a normal lipbalm) | Bigger dose, compostable tube, surprisingly can survive a washing machine adventure. |
| Plastic stick Deodorant | Plastic wind-up tube | Glass Roll-On Deodorant | Recyclable glass + no pulled arm hairs in winter. |
| Virgin-PET Hand Soap | New plastic pump bottle | Bottle made from 100% rPET Real Liquid Soap | rPET cuts greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 79% vs virgin PET. EMBACO A/S Plus Australian made for less transportation emission |
Four Easy Swaps You Can Start This Week
- Bar Over Bottle – Chuck a Shampoo Soap Bar in your carry-on; airport security won’t bat an eye.
- Paper Over Plastic – Finish your current lip balm, then try our paper-tube version.
- Glass Over Can – The roll-on works upside-down in your gym bag and never leaves white spray clouds.
- Recycle What Exists – If glass is a breakage hazard in the shower, choosing rPET still slashes carbon footprints.
For our Hive Loyalty members; Earn Honey Drops for Being a Good Bean
- Return any empty tin this July (pop-up store or the markets) – 10 Honey Drops credited on the spot.
- Vote in our Friday Stories poll – 20 Honey Drops if you help us pick between the upcoming Hand Sanitiser vs Body Mist concept.
- Tag us re-using a Mantra Bee sustainable product – another 10 Honey Drops (because seeing you up-cycle makes our day).
(Remember: 250 Honey Drops = $5 off. Sustainability pays, literally.)
Come Say Hi
- Indooroopilly Shopping Centre – Level 2, outside H&M/Target, 7 days
- West End Market – 12 Jul | Powerhouse Market – 19 Jul
Bring an empty balm tin for an instant 5 Honey Drops bonus. Tiny swaps, big ripple; let’s make Plastic-Free July the start of a year-round habit. See you at the store! 🐝
