Festival season is now upon us!

There's never been an easier time to ditch the single use, with tons of plastic free alternatives widely available. pebble's expert team have highlighted some of their favourite plastic free festival must haves.

14 Ways To Have A Plastic Free Festival

1. Plastic-free wet wipe shower

Try ditching throw-away wet wipes for a simple flannel and water. You can even make your own wipes by soaking squares of fabric (an old t-shirt will do) in boiling water with aloe vera, witch hazel, castille soap and essential oil. These will last the whole weekend in a sealable lunchbox and can be washed and reused.

2. DIY dry shampoo

You can use simple cocoa powder instead of dry shampoo – it makes a good cuppa and your hair looks great. If you're blonde you can use arrowroot.

Alternatively make the switch to Hairstory and potentially you wouldn't have to wash your hair the whole time you're away.

3. Ditch the single use cup

The morning caffeine kick is an essential part of a festival but don't add to the billions of throwaway cups we get through each year. Avoid single use coffee cups by bringing a reusable cup along with you for the dawn coffee run. This is our favourite one.

4. Eco-friendly sparkle

This summer, instead of plastic glitter, swap to eco glitter, made from plant cellulose and a small amount of aluminium.

Whether you're brave enough to try 2018's festival trend, the glitter buns, or just add a bit to your face, this biodegradable alternative is a better choice. We're loving Boho Dust, a fab eco glitter brand.

5. Avoid the plastic poncho

Battling the rain is all part of the festival experience (if the heatwave ever ends, anyway). Rather than a flimsy, plastic poncho get yourself a proper waterproof cagoule or pack-a-mac that will be ready to serve you in rainstorms for years to come.

6. Bring a bottle

Staying hydrated at a festival is hugely important. The convenience of a plastic bottle can be tempting but you can avoid a huge amount of plastic pollution by bringing a reusable bottle along to fill up at the water points.

Our favourite plastic free water bottles are here.

7. Pack a bamboo toothbrush

There are a number of bamboo - and therefore biodegradable options - from Mable to subscription based We Are Bristle in the UK. Look for ones which have nylon or BPA free bristles.

Sadly, we can’t get away from plastic bristles but you can do your bit to stop plastic toothbrushes ending up in the sea - which is where 80% of them end up - and most people use 300 in their lifetime - that’s 3.6 billion sold globally every year.

8. Use your own cutlery

Avoid having to use disposable plastic cutlery by investing in your own simple cutlery kit - there are some beautiful wooden or bamboo ones available, in little cloth pouches - which weigh next to nothing.

Stash them in the bottom of your bag, along with a pair of wooden chopsticks and you’ll be good to go.

9. Swap your lipbalm

Say hello to the magical Green Fairy lip balm from MOA. This eco-friendly, ethical skincare brand uses Absinthe and yarrow extract as the key ingredients for this duo hand and lip balm. Organic, vegan-friendly and soothing, it comes in a recyclable steel pot (and won't give you a hangover).

10. Choose a refillable, natural deodorant

Yes we know those tents can get pretty smelly after a couple of days - as can you in the heat and no one wants that. Invest in a natural deodorant that's handy to refill - like this one from Fussy - which works just as hard and will keep you just as fresh and you'll want to keep it and not throw it away.

11. Ditch your plastic chewing gum

Yup, you read that right. Did you know that there is the same amount of single-use plastic in a single piece of chewing gum as there is to make a drinking straw?

That's why we're recommending Nuud's plant based and plastic-free chewing gum. As it is made entirely from plant based ingredients, the products are also entirely biodegradable - degrading as quick as banana skin.

So ditch the plastic, and opt for the natural (and sugar-free) alternative.

12. Have a sustainable period

So many period products are thrown away every year and most of which have plastic. Did you know that on average, a sanitary pad is 90% plastic?

That's why pebble is recommending an easy eco-switch, that'll also be easier on the bank.

We love WUKA or Modibodi for reusable pants or DAME for organic tampons.

Check out one of the many great ways in which you can enjoy a sustainable period - while also having some festival fun!

13. Protect your skin

Protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays to stop burns and skin damage. Save yourself the trouble of burnt skin during festival season.

Use UpCircle's vegan SPF 25 Mineral Sunscreen for a plastic-free and refillable alternative to the standard suncreams, and even makes skin healthier with the antioxidants.

• Suncare Supreme: The Best Organic And Natural Suncream Brands

14. Invest in sustainable sunnies

Sunglasses shouldn't be disposable so move away from cheap plastic and towards sustainable bio-acetate that is certified biodegradable, whether it's sunny or you're hiding from the night before.

We love PALA's sunglasses, which are not only sustainably made but divert profits into vision programmes in Africa. The empowerment that comes with a new pair of spectacles or corrective surgery is emphatic and as a solution, so simple.

Pala gets to deliver lasting change, empowerment and opportunity through funding eyecare projects across Africa - and you get amazing sunnies you'll love forever.

Want to find out what else you can do?

• See what other plastic-free essentials you should get this summer

• Understand the complex issues around plastic pollution
  

• Discover the best plastic-free homewares
  

• Ditch plastic with these skincare products