Find five easy tips on how to start using less plastic on a daily basis that will help you live more sustainably and plastic-free
I’m sure you’ve been hearing and reading about the significant shifts that our mother Earth is undergoing in response to the centuries of our reckless behaviour. Climate change is a reality, and it doesn’t paint a pleasant picture. To be completely frank, I’m scared, and I’m guessing you might be too. So, let’s begin by taking action within our own lives.
I’d like to share five valuable tips on how we can reduce our reliance on that environmental monster known as plastic.
1. PLASTIC BAGS
One of the most common and straightforward plastic swaps is replacing single-use plastic bags with reusable ones. Instead of paying 10p (in the UK) for a plastic bag every time you shop, invest in a few reusable bags that can serve you for years, and many of them are machine-washable for convenience. Furthermore, there’s a wide selection of affordable, stylish, and fashionable tote bags available that you can carry with you for your shopping needs.
It’s common for people to forget their reusable bags when they make impromptu trips for food or shopping after work. So the best advice is to always aim to have a reusable bag with you, regardless of where you’re headed.
2. SINGLE-USE CUPS
Hello coffee/tea addicts, this one is for us. Due to the nature of my job, I don’t usually drink coffee or tea on the go but for everyone who does, I think it’s a major problem. Tons and tons of cups, actually, to be precise, 2.5 billion coffee cups are used and thrown away each year in the UK. a BILLION. If you can’t imagine the number, I’ll paint it for you. That would be enough to stretch around the world roughly five and a half times. Well, hope you get it and like, REALLY get it. You can get a reusable cup online, in any coffee shop, bigger stores like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and also every zero waste/byo shops.
Fun fact: Some coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own cup
Check out my plastic-free bathroom tips
3. PACK YOUR LUNCH
I understand that preparing your lunch in advance isn’t always the easiest task, especially when you’re juggling a busy schedule. However, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture – to think about the countless animals suffering from plastic pollution every second because we can’t be bothered to make our packed lunch.
I know this might sound a bit harsh, but I want to be candid with you. When you make this effort, you’re not only doing it for yourself, your kids, and your family, but you’re also doing it for the well-being of future generations.
The challenge here is that the impact of our choices isn’t immediately visible, which can make it more difficult to stay motivated. But in the long run, the effort is undeniably worth it.
FOOD PREP
An additional benefit of food prep is that you’ll have complete control over what you’re consuming, typically leading to healthier choices. During your lunch break, which often provides a brief window of 30 minutes to an hour for a moment of peace and sustenance before returning to work, it’s tempting to opt for a convenient sandwich encased in plastic, a salad in a plastic container, or a ready-made meal that contributes to the plastic waste that can persist on Earth for up to a staggering 1,000 years.
I’m committed to sharing easy and healthy lunch ideas that are not only good for your well-being but also minimize plastic use. Together, we can make a positive change.
You can find great lunch boxes online but please, use plastic containers that you already have for as long as possible.
4. LOOSE FRUIT AND VEG
Once upon a time, I would use over 10 plastic bags while buying fruits or veg in store. 5 lemons, one plastic bag. 2 oranges, one plastic bag. Broccoli, one plastic bag. When you think about it, it’s totally unnecessary. I know it might be convenient but instead of using plastic bags, get reusable cotton bags. I got mine from andkeep.com. They are very affordable, washable in a washing machine and you can reuse them over and over and over again. Most of the shops now have a huge choice of loose produce next to the packed ones. So go for the loose ones. Or even better option is to check your local markets and get most of the stuff there.
5. BUY IN BULK
This might be tricky but when you start, it’s actually fun. And very easy. You’ve probably heard of BYO (bring your own), zero waste shops where you bring your own jars/bottles and refill them. Some stuff like pasta, rice and nuts could be more expensive than in regular shops but start small and buy what you can. If you choose to get a bar of chocolate, washing-up liquid or oats for a start, it’s better than nothing. Don’t worry yourself about other things you can’t afford. Baby steps are better than no steps, right?
SUMMARY
And that would be it for a start.
If you’ve recently embarked on a journey toward more conscious living, the array of changes might feel overwhelming at first. I assure you, it does get easier over time, and there’s no need to stress about it. I, too, still make use of plastic containers to refill certain cleaning products, and that’s absolutely okay.
The key is to use and reuse the plastic items you already have for as long as they’re functional. I understand that all of this might sound a bit unconventional. If you had told me that I would be using toothpaste from a glass container, preferring not to buy certain foods if I forget my reusable produce bags, creating my own makeup remover, using reusable cotton pads, and even caring deeply about these choices, I would have likely responded with sarcasm, claiming that I neither have the time nor the resources for such changes.
If you currently feel the same way, that’s perfectly acceptable. Let all of this information settle in. Take your time, perhaps revisit this post in a week or so, do some additional research, and then consider your options once again.