Bin liners to takeaway containers – ideas to solve your plastic conundrums
Plastic has become an environmental disaster. Microplastic pollution has been found in our waterways, fish stocks, salt, tap water and even the air we breathe. Reducing our reliance on plastic by refusing it wherever possible has never been more important, especially as Australia’s recycling system is in crisis.
Yet there are conundrums that continue to defeat even those dedicated to going plastic-free. From bin liners to takeaway containers, Guardian Australia has tried to solve them. And we want to hear from you: share your plastic conundrums and the solutions. We’ll round up the best ideas for a follow-up article.
What should I do about plastic liners for the kitchen bin?
Many people justify their continued use of plastic bags by arguing each one is reused in the kitchen bin. But that’s not actually recycling – it’s barely even reusing, as each bag is still destined for landfill. Others buy bin liners, spending good money on a product made to be ditched after just one use.
Skip the unnecessary plastic bag altogether and simply rinse your bin after emptying it into the council bin. To help cut down on smelly garbage “juice”, separate out food scraps for composting (community compost groups help if you don’t have space) or throw it in the green waste bin. If a naked bin still revolts you, try lining it with newspaper instead.
How can I avoid plastic packaging in supermarkets?
The ultimate solution is filling up your own reusable containers at bulk food stores (check out Sustainable Table’s bulk food directory), but strategic shopping at major supermarkets also helps.
Skip plastic bags altogether – including the smaller produce bags – by taking your own reusable bags. Prioritise nude food: Lebanese cucumbers over plastic-wrapped continental versions, for example. Buy staples such as flour and sugar in paper bags, rather than plastic. Buy cheese and meat at deli counters, using your own reusable container. And if staff refuse BYO containers, or too much food is unnecessarily packaged, write to management demanding change.
Can I take my plastic somewhere to be recycled and transformed directly, rather than rely on non-transparent recycling systems?
Unfortunately not, in most cases. But do go the extra mile to save soft plastics – they can be recycled into sturdy outdoor furniture, bollards and signage. You’ll need to collect them separately, as soft plastics such as shopping bags, courier satchels, bubble wrap and chip packets can’t be processed in council recycling systems. Instead, drop soft plastics – essentially anything that can be scrunched into a ball – at REDcycle bins. They are then sent on to Australian manufacturer Replas to be made into long-lasting recycled products.
What to do about getting takeaway food without plastic containers?
Discarded food and beverage containers made up almost half of the 15,552 ute loads of rubbish collected during last year’s Clean Up Australia Day. Opt out by taking your own reusable containers to the local takeaway. Trashless Takeaway helps consumers find Aussie eateries happy to fill reusable containers, while Fair Food Forager and Responsible Cafes highlight low-waste locations. Boycott places that refuse to embrace sustainable practices – as zero-waste lifestyle advocate Tammy Logan explains, refusing BYO containers is most often a business decision, not a legal requirement.
What’s the best alternative to a plastic water bottle?
Refuse bottled water point blank – plastic bottles are derived from crude oil and take thousands of years to break down in landfill. But select reusable water bottles with care, as many have plastic components, such as lids. Instead, go for brands such as Pura Stainless; it makes stainless steel bottles with medical-grade silicone lids. While you’re at it, grab a reusable coffee cup and stainless steel straw, too.
How do I clean and disinfect the house without using disposable wipes and cleaners sold in plastic bottles?
Most cleaning products are packaged in plastic – and packed with toxic chemicals, but almost the entire home can be cleaned with just three ingredients. Use Castile soap on floors and sinks, baking soda for scrubbing jobs, and vinegar for mould. (Bea Johnson from Zero Waste Home has an extensive natural cleaners recipe list.) Microfibre cloths can also clean windows and more with water only, no products needed.
Avoid all types of cleaning wipes, as they’re designed to be thrown away. As Adelaide zero waster Niki Wallace says: “We don’t need [wipes] for protection from germs and we don’t need them for their cleaning capability or even for their convenience.” Instead use cloths or old clothes cut to size.
Is it possible to get toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner without packaging?
Buying in bulk or making your own are the only real ways to access packaging-free toiletries. Toothpaste is easy to make from coconut oil, bicarb soda and salt, though some dentists baulk at using abrasive materials on tooth enamel. The easiest plastic-free shampoo and conditioner options sidestep bottles completely – choose soap bars instead, preferably unwrapped versions.
Should I be worried about mini toiletries offered in hotels?
Go easy on free toiletries when travelling, as millions of half-used bottles are ditched each day. Take your own or support hotels with more sustainable practices, such as refillable wall dispensers. Also keep an eye out for hotels involved with Melbourne non-profit Soap Aid,
which recycles hotel soaps for distribution in disadvantaged communities.
How can I clean my cat litter without plastic bags?
The key is using natural litter, such as Oz-Pets’ wood pellet litter, made from waste plantation sawdust that would otherwise be dumped. The wood’s natural eucalyptus oils help kill bacteria and keep smells under control. After use, the lot can go straight into the compost (ensure it’s not subsequently used for foodproducing crops, though) on to the garden as mulch or into council green bins. Recycled paper pellets are also an option. Scoop the poop and soiled litter into a small bucket rather than a plastic bag, before turfing into compost or green bins. Disinfect litter trays with boiling water and vinegar before refilling.
How can I ensure my clothes don’t add to plastic pollution?
Microfibres shed by synthetic clothing during washing is a growing concern. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon shed thousands of these tiny plastic particles with each wash, which end up polluting our rivers and oceans. Guppy Friend filter bags, developed in Berlin, are an emerging solution. Washing less, using front-loading machines, and opting for natural fabrics and fibres wherever possible also helps.