USE LESS PLASTIC – AND SAVE MONEY!

We all know we need to cut down on our plastic usage and, happily for us, lots of companies are offering generous incentives to help with our mission. Here’s how to get involved

GET HALF-PRICE THEME PARK ENTRY

Theme park operator Merlin – who own 30 attractions in the UK, including Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland – are trialling a scheme until mid-october, where visitors will get a 50 per cent off coupon for any Merlin attraction when they deposit any empty 500ml plastic bottle at one of the new Coca-cola return vending machines (currently available at Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland). Win win.

SWAP TO SOAP

A bar of soap costs as little as 30p and lasts a lot longer than shower gel and hand wash (which cost £1 plus) – and it generally uses far less plastic packaging. Keep your soap in a proper soap dish so it has time to dry out after each use.

BRING YOUR OWN COFFEE CUP

Most coffee chains now provide discounts on your morning brew if you bring your own reusable mug. Pret A Manger offers 50p off, Starbucks and Leon 30p, Costa and Paul 25p and Greggs 20p. Waitrose, who offers a free coffee with your My Waitrose card, has stopped providing cups, so bring your own to nab your freebie. The WAKEUP range even donates 10 per cent of profits to its eco charity partners, the Marine Conservation Society and A Plastic Ocean.

RETURN PLASTIC BAGS FOR MONEY OFF

Since the government brought in the 5p charge for singleuse carrier bags, it’s been a no-brainer to take your own bags when you’re out shopping. But if you shop online at Ocado and Morrisons, they will actually pay you to recycle bags (5p each). Just hand them over when your driver delivers your shopping and the total will be deducted from your bill. Ocado accepts bags from any shop.

MAKE MONEY ON EMPTY BOTTLES

Supermarket Iceland has launched a vending machine that gives you 10p when you deposit a plastic bottle. It was trialled in one London store, but is being rolled out in Scotland, Wolverhampton and Wales. Co-op is thought to be toying with doing the same after trialling it at popup stores at festivals, so keep an eye open at your local branches.

REFILL FOR FREE

Tapwater.org will reveal your nearest “refilling stations” when you input your postcode on its website, so you can top up your reusable water bottle on the go. Costa and Premier Inn also allow you to fill your water bottle without even being a customer, as they’re part of the Water UK campaign to improve opportunities for free refilling stations. Refreshing stuff.