Plastic-Free July

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, are 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

1. Bar Over Bottle – Chuck a Shampoo Soap Bar in your carry-on; airport security won’t bat an eye.

2. Paper Over Plastic – Finish your current lip balm, then try our paper-tube version.

3. Glass Over Can – The roll-on works upside-down in your gym bag and never leaves white spray clouds.

4. 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! 🐝