THE TIDE IS TURNING IN THE WAR ON PLASTIC
EASY WAYS TO FIGHT SCOURGE You don’t have to wait for a plastics ban to tackle scenes like this.. there are plenty of alternatives on market
BY anna.burnside@trinitymirror.com THE tide has turned against plastic.
Everyone from Theresa May to the nation’s schoolchildren has been shocked and appalled by the damage “disposable” cups and bottles are doing to marine life.
Most of these go to landfill sites but the environment can’t cope with the amount of plastic that is leaking into the sea and soil.
Last year, plastic fibres turned up in tap water. Discarded bags and bottles have been found in the stomachs of creatures who live at the bottom of the ocean.
Scientists predict that, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.
The Scottish Government are ahead of the game. They announced plans to ban the manufacture and sale of plastic-stemmed cotton buds in January.
These are often flushed down the toilet and then become a major cause of marine pollution. Birds and fish eat them. They add to the estimated 150million tonnes of plastic floating around in the world’s oceans. Every year, more than 100,000 sea mammals die after eating or getting tangled up in plastic waste.
Drinking straws and coffee stirrers are the next products in the Government’s sights. A ban could be in place as early as next year. Other ideas include a levy on disposable coffee cups and a deposit scheme for plastic bottles. Plastic microbeads, which were used in body scrubs and face washes, have already been banned. We are happily exfoliating with sugar, salt or ground-up peach stones. Now it’s time to rethink how we clean our ears and drink our flat whites. Single-use plastic products are not essential. There are plenty of much lower impact alternatives out there already. And it’s amazing how quickly we can get used to life without plastic. Remember free carrier bags? Thanks to a 5p charge, we now use nine billion fewer of these a year because shoppers use their own bags. Here’s how you can swap to environmentally friendly versions.
COTTON BUDS
Buying huge tubs of plastic sticks in the pound shop is no longer acceptable. Until the high street catches up, there are plenty of alternatives online: 200 cotton buds with bambo sticks, Amazon, £1.57; 200 organic cotton buds with paper sticks, Amazon, £2.99.
COFFEE CUPS
Starbucks, Costa, Pret a Manger and Greggs all offer a discount to customers who BYOC (bring your own cup) and Waitrose are about to banish takeaway cups from all their cafes. Look for recyclable products for extra green points: Bamboo fibre travel mug, John Lewis, £10; KeepCup, John Lewis, £15.
WATER BOTTLES
A distinctive water bottle that keeps liquid cold, with a wide enough top to take an ice cube, is perfect for commuting and hot days. Sporty types need something that’s easy to drink from when sweaty: Corickle canteen, root7. com, £20; Camelbak, Amazon, £15.19.
STRAWS
Turtles rejoice, there are plenty of alternatives to plastic straws. Although, for those of us with an age in double figures, is it such a hardship to drink out of a glass? Summer Brights, Sainsbury’s, £2; Blue paper straws, Tesco, £3.49.
DISPOSABLE CUTLERY AND STIRRERS
The best option here is using proper metal cutlery and washing it up. But if that is out of the question, there are alternatives: Compostable teaspoons, Amazon, £4; Compostable cutlery set, Amazon, £12.99.
TOOTHBRUSHES
The plastic handles of toothbrushes often wash up on otherwise beautiful beaches. Bamboo is a good alternative: Environmental toothbrush, natural collection.com, £2.95; Jack n’ Jill child’s toothbrush, Holland & Barrett, £3.69.
SHOPPING BAGS
The 5p charge has persuaded lots of consumers to use their own carriers. Keeping a folding bag in a pocket or handbag means you’re always prepared for an impulse purchase. A trolley is easier for heavier messages or a trip to the market: Sabichi Palms shopping trolley, Argos, £22.99; Red string bag, rexlondon.com, £3.95.
SANDWICH/FREEZER BAGS
Closeable plastic bags are handy but they hang around forever. There are biodegradable versions, or paper ones for a US brown bag lunch vibe: 100 biodegradable food bags, Amazon, £4.22; 48 multi-purpose paper bags, Amazon, £5.85.