Easy ways to consume less plastic

Like it or not, the world is currently indulging in a brazen love affair with plastic. From supermarket bags and children’s toys to pharmaceuticals and electric cars, plastic is everywhere. It’s a hugely diverse material, but it’s also having an alarming impact on the environment. In fact, according to the latest research, the South Pacific is currently harbouring an enormous ‘raft’ of plastic debris spanning more than 965,000 square miles. If this makes you think twice about forgetting your reusable bags, these tips are for you.

Simple and easy to action, here’s 10 genuinely effective ways you can cut down your plastic use, and help save the planet.

Say no to straws

Every day, American’s alone sip their way through more than 500 million drinking straws. To put that into perspective, that would fill over 125 school buses. Whether you’re in a restaurant, a bar or a general store, make an effort to tag a “no straw please” onto your drink order. If you simply can’t live without a slurp stick you can invest in a reusable stainless steel or glass straw.

Stock up on reusable bags

This one’s not exactly new, but it can’t be said enough. Swap plastic bags for reusable shopping bags and you can make a huge difference. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to degrade, which means with every shop you leave an eco-legacy.

Buy boxes over bottles

Next time you’re shopping try to buy boxes over bottles. From flour and oatmeal to laundry detergent and baking soda, there are so many scenarios where you can say no to plastic packaging.

Buy bulk

Another great idea is to start buying in bulk. Check out what’s on offer in your local area, and think about purchasing items like cereal, pasta and rice from bulk bins. Not only will you save money but you’ll also cut down on unnecessary packaging.

Embrace the reusable water bottle trend

We call it a trend, but really it’s a revolution. Brands like Swell have completely reimagined the way the world sips on H2O. Bottles come in a kaleidoscope of colours, which means they’re both pretty and practical.

BYO plastic

If you really want to get serious about cutting down your plastic use you can start bringing your own containers when necessary. Reusable coffee mugs are a great place to start. If you can never finish your meal at a restaurant and are continually asking for a takeout container you can also BYO Tupperware as many restaurants use Styrofoam.

Buy fresh

In the frozen food aisle, even products that appear to be made from cardboard are often coated in a thin layer of plastic. For this reason it’s best to buy fresh where possible, as long as your fruit and veg doesn’t come in a Styrofoam container wrapped in Clingfilm.

DIY juice

If you love juice why not start squeezing your own instead of buying countless plastic bottles? It’s healthier and better for the environment.

Make your own cleaning products

Most households tend to power through their cleaning products, which goes hand in hand with plastic bottle waste. From kitchen spray and bathroom scrubs to toothpaste and , making your own household cleaners is a great way to minimise your eco footprint. Here’s some clever cleaning ideas to get you started.

The final verdict

Over the course of a day, think about situations where you use plastic and then consider how you could cut down. For example, you could start spending a little more on wooden toothbrushes. Or using a razor with replaceable blades instead of plastic disposables. The key is to get creative, and think about ways you can reduce your own unique footprint. Don’t be disheartened if you can only come up with a few, because even the smallest changes can make a big difference!

Do you have any great tips to help cut down on plastic? We’d love to hear them.