Simple Ways To Use Less Plastic
We get it, trying to avoid plastic on a daily basis is like navigating a mine field. Here is a list of simple swaps to make avoiding plastic that much easier.
Words: Sasha Wardrop
In celebration of the beginning of Plastic Free July, we have compiled a comprehensive list of simple ways you can use less plastic every day:
Bring your own shopping bag – I’m starting with the simplest of them all here. It’s really not that hard, keep a couple of bags in your car, a couple by your front door and you can even get those bags that fold up really small to keep in your bag, this way you will never have to use the single use plastic bags from the shops
Bring your own reusable cup to the coffee shop – There are too many great reusable cup companies out there to not be using one! Huskee, Frank Green and Sol are amongst our favourite.
Opt for cardboard, glass or metal packaging at the supermarket – when there is the option, choose products that come in recyclable packaging
Say no to straws – and save the turtles!! OR get some fun reusable ones.
Be mindful of the plastic in your beauty routine – packaging isn’t the only place plastic occurs in your beauty routine. Micro-plastics are commonly added to face washes, tooth pastes and more. Wastewater treatment facilities aren’t able to remove these from water and they end up in the ocean and worse, in animals’ stomachs. For some of our favourite plastic free beauty products, read this article.
Rethink your food storage – say goodbye to zip lock bags and invest in some good containers to store your food in.
Stop buying plastic water bottles – More than 8 million tonnes of plastic water bottles end up in the ocean each year. So do the ocean a favor and buy yourself a cute reusable water bottle instead of picking up a plastic one.
Shop in bulk – For many households, the majority of plastic waste is generated in the kitchen. There are so many great bulk food stores around that let you stock up on essentials, using paper bags or your own containers and this is often a cheaper way of shopping
Swap glad wrap for reusable wrapping – You can make your own, beeswax wrapping or by some here. Many companies also sell silicone food covers.
Pick up your meat and cheese from the deli – Pre-packaged meat and cheese is usually sold in plastic or styrofoam trays, but if you buy directly from the deli butcher, you can bring your own container to transport your goodies.
Buy refills – rather than buying new products each time, start looking for products that can be refilled over and over. This can apply to anything from the kitchen to your beauty routine
Swap out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one – they do the same job and bamboo toothbrushes are stocked in all major supermarkets now!
Bring your own produce bags to the supermarket – there are some great options out there like these great mesh ones.
Give up gum – gum is the second most form of litter after cigarettes and conventional gum does not biodegrade because it is made up of synthetic plastics.
Getting Takeaway? Over 120,000 of plastic and foam take out containers combined were found in beach cleanups last year. Prepare beforehand and bring your own next time you go out to eat.
Swap to shampoo bars – and don’t stop there! It started with the humble old bar soap but now you can get just about anything in a bar; shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant and more.
A fun last one for those of you who made it to the end – Treat yourself to an ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, after all cones = zero waste
