For World Environment Day (June 5, 2025), we asked ourselves: What can we swap to stop plastic pollution?
Plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. According to the UN Environmental Programme, plastic pollution has impacted every corner of the world, clogging our oceans, harming our wildlife and seeping into the water we drink, into the food we eat, and our bodies. Fortunately, it is also one of the most fixable of today’s environmental challenges and each of us can make a difference with small, conscious changes in our daily lives.
At Porterhouse, we’re proud to support this year’s World Environment Day theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.” As part of our commitment to sustainability, we’re inviting our teams to take part in our Plastic-Swaps Challenge — a simple way to reduce our plastic footprint, one item at a time.
✅ Plastic-Free Swaps We Can Make
Below is a checklist of everyday items that can be swapped out to reduce single-use plastics — both at work, at home and on the go.
✅ Plastic-Free Swaps Checklist
| ✔️ | Plastic Item | 🌿 Sustainable Swap |
| ☐ | Plastic water bottle | Refillable stainless steel or glass bottle |
| ☐ | Disposable coffee cup | Reusable coffee cup or travel mug |
| ☐ | Plastic grocery bags | Cloth or foldable reusable shopping bags |
| ☐ | Plastic cutlery | Bamboo or stainless steel cutlery |
| ☐ | Cling film (plastic wrap) | Beeswax wraps or silicone lids |
| ☐ | Plastic straws | Metal, bamboo, or silicone straw, or skip straw |
| ☐ | Liquid soap bottles | Bar soap or refillable dispensers |
| ☐ | Plastic toothbrush | Bamboo toothbrush |
| ☐ | Shampoo in plastic bottles | Shampoo bars or refillable alternatives |
| ☐ | Toothpaste tubes | Toothpaste tablets or glass jar alternatives |
| ☐ | Takeout in plastic containers | Bring your own reusable container |
| ☐ | Plastic lunch containers | Glass or stainless steel containers |
| ☐ | Plastic-packed snacks | Bulk snacks in reusable containers |
| ☐ | Plastic razors | Reusable metal safety razors |
| ☐ | Synthetic sponges | Natural loofah or biodegradable scrubbers |
| ☐ | Plastic pens | Refillable pens or digital note-taking apps |
We’re challenging our teams to make at least 3 swaps over the next week and share examples and photos of our choices with the Porterhouse Environmental team. Those who complete the challenge will be entered into a draw for an eco-friendly prize!
Together, we can make a meaningful impact by turning intention into action this World Environment Day — and working towards a cleaner, greener future for everyone.
If you would like to read more about this important initiative, visit: https://www.unep.org/ietc/news/blogpost/5-june-world-environment-day-2025-beatplasticpollution
Proud and passionate (about our planet), we are Porterhouse
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