How best we can avoid using single-use plastics
Plastic is everywhere. It’s now even been found in human blood, in our lungs and in the placenta of unborn babies.
As we all know from watching David Attenborough documentaries, it takes a very long time to break down and then creates the dangerous microplastics that are getting inside our bodies.
The best thing we can do is try to avoid plastic.
Here are my tips ...
Fruit and veg Whenever possible, opt for unpackaged fruit and veg.
Bring along your own bags to the supermarket.
You can buy reusable organic cotton produce bags on Etsy or you could just reuse old plastic bags.
Try to avoid buying anything in a plastic bottle.
Take a reusable water bottle when you’re out and about.
Encourage kids to carry their school water bottles on the weekend.
Their teeth will benefit from a reduction in sugary drinks!
Takeaway sandwiches and salads are so convenient – but they’re packaged in plastic.
If you eat lunch at work, challenge yourself to see how often you can make your own.
You’ll save so much money too!
Refill
Drinks Lunch box
Refill old containers! A growing number of refill shops are springing up, where you can refill bottles of things like washing up liquid, laundry detergent and fabric conditioner – as well as shower gels, shampoos and conditioners.
You can also take along food containers and fill them with store cupboard staples, like oats, rice and pasta.
Supermarkets are getting in on the act too.
Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado and Marks & Spencer recently joined a refillable grocery partnership.
By the end of the year, they plan to roll out both unpackaged options in-store and prefilled mini bulk containers for home deliveries, which customers return when it’s their next delivery.
Coffee cup
Most takeaway coffee cups are lined with a plastic coating, to stop them leaking.
Each one contributes to the plastic problem, so try and invest in a reusable cup.
Once you get into the habit of taking it with you, it becomes the norm!
More than 1.2 billion metres of cling film is used by British households every year.
See if you can manage without it by covering bowls of leftovers with a plate or storing them in Tupperware.
You could also invest in reusable beeswax wraps. Lakeland has a good selection. Online, you can try eco shop Peace with the Wild.
Clingfilm