Top tips to go single-use plastic free
You may have noticed that this week held the second annual #OnePlasticFreeDay and the airwaves were 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 waste with sustainable alternatives or simply cut it out completely.
It was also the week when Waitrose announced a trial in a ‘bring your own container’ to a store that has installed product dispensers across hundreds of items with the absence of food packaging, reflecting a 15% price drop. So well received and setting a benchmark for other retailers to follow.
In true Sir David Attenborough style, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall features in his new War on Plastic BBC One programme starting on Monday at 9pm. We will be glued and the power of TV will help to further accelerate change.
But first 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 5p charge. These shocking stats speak for themselves.
It goes without saying to take your own reusable coffee cups and drink bottles to refill and self-fill. Our plumbed in hydration stations are very popular and allow staff to refill with filtered and chilled water that tastes great. Increasingly we are getting in the habit of carrying a reusable bottle because in the UK we use over 35 million plastic bottles 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.
Use your own reusable container for takeout and leftovers at the local eateries.
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.
Say no to plastic straws and drinks stirrers although they have now been restricted/banned by UK law.
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 singe-use plastic.
Say no to disposable cutlery and avoid beauty products that contain microbeads.
Did you know that plastic toothbrushes never degrade so choose a bamboo one that does decompose in six months? Give up chewing gum. Who knew gum contains plastic so go for a plastic free alternative such as Glee or Chewsy! As we face the festival season with Glastonbury at the end of the month, choose eco friendly glitter for parties and events to sparkle.
In true Sir David Attenborough style, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall features in his new War on Plastic BBC One programme starting on Monday at 9pm. We will be glued and the power of TV will help to further accelerate change.
But first 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 5p charge. These shocking stats speak for themselves.
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 giving 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.Bring back the lunchbox
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.
It goes without saying to take your own reusable coffee cups and drink bottles to refill and self-fill. Our plumbed in hydration stations are very popular and allow staff to refill with filtered and chilled water that tastes great. Increasingly we are getting in the habit of carrying a reusable bottle because in the UK we use over 35 million plastic bottles 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.
Use your own reusable container for takeout and leftovers at the local eateries.
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.
Say no to plastic straws and drinks stirrers although they have now been restricted/banned by UK law.
Paper bags not single-use plastic
Carry a reusable shopping 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 singe-use plastic.
Say no to disposable cutlery and avoid beauty products that contain microbeads.
Did you know that plastic toothbrushes never degrade so choose a bamboo one that does decompose in six months? Give up chewing gum. Who knew gum contains plastic so go for a plastic free alternative such as Glee or Chewsy! As we face the festival season with Glastonbury at the end of the month, choose eco friendly glitter for parties and events to sparkle.