Top tips to go single-use plastic free this July
This month we celebrate
Plastic Free July and the airwaves are buzzing with single-use plastic pollution notifications, hints and suggestions as to what we can all do in the home and workplace to help reduce plastic with sustainable alternatives or simply cut it out completely.
During these tough times we have seen many people acting irresponsibly with regards to pollution and littering in public spaces. Plus, there is concern that in the COVID-19 pandemic we are creating more PPE-related plastic waste which is hard to avoid. So Plastic Free July comes at a time when we can readdress some of the bad habits that have formed in lockdown.
As a reminder here are some plastic facts according to Friends of the Earth. 12 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the sea each year. Only 9% of all plastic waste has ever been recycled. 700 or so marine species have been found entangled in plastic. 1 million plastic bottles are bought worldwide every minute and 100,000 tiny bits of plastic could end up in the ocean with each shower you take, depending on the products. 9 billion fewer plastic bags used in England since the levy.
How to reduce plastic waste
More and more people are cutting down on the amount of plastic they use. There are some smart ideas out there, and it all helps us do our collective bit. Remember the single use plastic bag levy. How strange that felt at first but is now second nature.
These tips will help you avoid household plastics that can end up in landfill and then the oceans, endangering our dolphins, turtles and other wildlife too. Plus they will enhance your life: saving you cash, replacing aggressive chemicals and give you that contented feeling you are doing good for the planet.
With regard to eating and drinking here are some practical things that you can start implementing right now, and every suggestion has a direct benefit in reducing plastic entering our environment.
Use a lunchbox
Many of us are returning to the workplace where strict social distancing
guidelines are in place including restrictions on public areas such as the kitchen and canteen to avoid spreading germs on hard surfaces.
So, carry reusable utensils and containers to work with your lunch and snacks. Pop your sandwiches and snacks in reusable lunch wraps not cling film which is non recyclable. By the way, foil is 100% recyclable. The new material on the market is beeswax wraps. Made using 100% cotton, pine resin, Jojoba oil and local beeswax they are 100% natural and environmentally friendly.
Choose to refill
It goes without saying to take your own reusable coffee cups and drink bottles to refill. Our
plumbed in hydration stations are very popular and allow staff to refill with filtered and chilled water that tastes great. It’s true to see we are getting in the habit of carrying areusable bottle and there are many great brands on the market including SHO and
Chilly’s. In the UK we use over 35 million plasticbottles every day and this can so easily stop. Refill stations in public places are helping and retailers are installing self-fill hydration stations for their customers, such as seen at Pret, Greggs and Sainsbury’s.
Reuse and recycle
As restaurants are starting to open their doors many have been running a takeaway service in lockdown so try to use your own reusable container for take outs where possible.
As things return to normal try to cut out frozen and ready meals. The food packaging, especially black, is non recyclable. No better incentive to cook from scratch! Take a reusable bread bag to the bakery and pop your loaf inside, it also keeps the bread a bit fresher a bit longer. Same with potato bags, which also cut out the light to stop them going green.
As a result of COVID-19 the UK law to ban plasticstraws and drinks stirrers was postponed to October 2020 which caused some concern. But it will happen.
Paper bags not single-use plastic
Carry a reusableshopping bag for life – there are many to choose from. Avoid excessive food packaging and select loose fruit and vegetables in paper bags so choose your supermarket with this in mind.
Use refill stations for detergents where available. We are sure this sector will continue to expand with dispensers and refill containers available with a deposit scheme. Bars of hard soap save plastic bottles and using a refillable shampoo and conditioner container again cuts out single-use plastic.
We like this one! Bring back the milkman and get yourmilk delivered because glass is 100% recyclable.
[caption id="attachment_2522" align="aligncenter" width="1960"]
multi function hot and cold tap for water as you want it[/caption]
Instant boiling hot taps
Probably having read this you need to sit down with a cuppa to plan your plastic-free moves! Of course, a
KettleTap gives you instant boiling water on tap saving time, money and energy, so convenient, why wait for an old-fashioned kettle to boil? But choose your tea bags with care or go loose leaf. Many tea bags contain plastic, but the growing number of brands such as Brew & Co, Clipper, Pukka Tea and Teapigs are plastic free and PG Tips are biodegradable.
