Not perfect, just better

Small steps to cut plastic - for World Environment Day and beyond. 

Plastic’s everywhere. In our packaging, our clothes, our kit. It’s cheap, convenient, and hard to avoid - but sticks around way longer than we need it to. It’s piling up in oceans, harming ecosystems, and breaking down into things we can’t even see. 

This year, World Environment Day is all about ending plastic pollution. That might sound like a big goal - because it is - but we’re not about preaching or panic. Just doing a bit better, where we can. Small steps, realistic swaps, no guilt.

Here’s what that looks like at flatspot.

Doing more with less

We’ve kept our packaging minimal for years: recyclable mailers, cardboard boxes, paper tape. No extras, no fuss. And we’ve always looked for brands that care about the same things - products made with recycled or low-impact materials, built to last, and made for real use.

A few picks from brands we stock: 

Patagonia NetPlus® gear - whether it’s caps, baggies, shorts, or down sweaters - it’s crafted from fishing nets rescued from the ocean. It’s a smart way to turn waste into something useful and durable. And with their Worn Wear program, you can shop pre-loved gear or trade in your old favourites, helping keep great kit out of landfill for longer.

Cotopaxi Del Día gear - from backpacks and duffels to hip packs and travel essentials - is made using deadstock and repurposed fabrics that would otherwise be discarded. Each piece is hand-assembled by skilled sewers, making every item truly one of a kind. It’s gear that’s built to last, with a story and personality all its own.  Some styles might be sold out (they go quick), but more is always on the way.

Merrell footwear – from trail runners to everyday hikers, their shoes are designed with the planet in mind. They’re using more recycled materials in every pair, cutting down on water waste, and stripping back plastic packaging. It’s all part of their bigger goal to keep gear out of landfill and on your feet for the long haul. And when they can, they give leftover materials a second life - turning scrap into seriously solid shoes.

Nike Move to Zero - it’s all about getting to zero carbon and zero waste, and that starts with the materials. ACG gear and other staples are now being made using more recycled fibres, less water, and smarter design choices. Think tees with organic cotton, jackets built from recycled polyester, and footwear that turns waste into something wearable. It’s Nike performance, just done cleaner.

Organic cotton tees – no plastic blends, just breathable, everyday basics. We’re proud to stock organic tees from brands like Service Works, Mollusk, Columbia, Poetic Collective, Carhartt, and Parlez - who also give back through 1% for the Planet, supporting environmental causes with every purchase. Quality gear that’s better for you and the planet, no fuss.

Yeti drinkware - tough, refillable tumblers, mugs, and bottles made to go the distance. By cutting down on single-use plastics, they’re a simple swap that makes a real difference whether you’re out on the trail or just out and about.

What the flatspot crew’s doing

None of us are perfect, but the small things add up. We asked around the team for the simple swaps that stuck:

“I take the same bottle skating, hiking - everywhere. Better than buying plastic every time.”

“Stopped using cling film for packed lunches. Wax wraps do the same job.”

 “I’m washing fleece less - keeps it lasting longer and means fewer microplastics in the water.”

Nothing radical. Just things that make sense.

Want to do the same? Five easy changes to try:

Bring a reusable water bottle
Pick gear that’s made to last
Repair what you can instead of binning it
Wash synthetics less often
Support brands doing things differently

It’s not about being perfect

We’re not claiming to have all the answers - but we are trying. Cutting back where we can. Backing brands doing the same. Making it easier to shop well.

Because small steps still count. And they all add up.