Can I really go plastic free in just seven days?
As thousands around the world take part in Plastic Free July, Kelly Rose Bradford embarks on a mission to eliminate it from her life
Ilike to think I’m environmentally friendly, and I recycle as much as I can. But although I’ve swapped to metal straws and reusable coffee cups, I only have to look at the plastic food wrappers in my kitchen bin to know I can do more.
So when I heard about the Plastic Free July initiative, I was intrigued. Launched by the Plastic Free Foundation, it’s a global challenge asking participants to reduce (and eliminate if possible) single-use plastic waste.
As someone who loves a challenge, I decided to start with a one-week blitz. First up, I stocked up on some essentials.
Usually to save money I go to a discount supermarket for things like lentils and pasta – but they are packed in plastic. I headed instead to M&S to check out their refill stations where you dispense dried foods into your own container. I was amazed to find that per 100g, lentils were cheaper than their own-brand packaged ones.
I added a container-full (I brought my own) to my basket, along with ingredients to make a salad. I’d usually choose a readybagged option, but this time I opted for loose tomatoes, lettuce and spring onions.
It was only when I got to the till that I realised I’d forgotten a bag. Nightmare. I bundled the loose veg into my arms and staggered out of the shop, trying not to send tomatoes plummeting to the floor. Heaven knows what I would have done if chicken breasts were on my shopping list.
Afterwards, I visited a friend for a cuppa. She rolled her eyes when I turned down an iced bun because it was in a plastic wrapper.
“You’re taking this a bit far,” she said, scoffing both cakes.
As the week continued, it was the stuff you don’t associate with plastic that caused problems. My son, 19, swatted my hand away as I reached for chewing gum in the newsagents.
“Hidden plastic!” he hissed, dispensing a lecture on how it’s in gum, clothing and even teabags. I vowed to investigate alternatives.
He was later pleased to find our plastic kitchen scrubbers had been replaced with Composty Pop-Up Sponges (composty.earth) which can be composted when they reach the end of their life. They intrigued him so much he even helped clean the surfaces and wipe down the cooker.
The next day, I stocked up on sanitary and beauty products. My usual pads are wrapped in plastic, so I searched and came across Bp3 Underwear (bp3underwear.com) – absorbent pants designed to replace towels and tampons. At £18 a pair they were an investment, but when I worked out how much I spend on sanitary products over a year, I realised it was a worthwhile one. I was quickly converted and will not be buying pads again.
After a quick inspection revealed my bathroom was a veritable hotspot for single-use plastic, I also stocked up on plastic-free shampoo bars and conditioners to cut back waste.
As my week of going plastic-free came to an end, I was proud. I made some real changes – many of which were surprisingly cost effective. All it took was a bit of green thinking.
Visit plasticfreejuly.org for more information.
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It’s stuff you don’t associate with plastic, like chewing gum, that caused issues