It isn’t any secret that single use plastic is a B I G issue. If you counted up each piece of single use plastic you use each day you would be surprised. It would take over 400 years for the plastic bag that you got your morning croissant in to decompose. And that’s just one small item that gets used millions of times a day.
Single use plastic items aren’t only in our shops any more, they are EVERYWHERE! In our oceans, lining our streets, covering our woods & moorland areas. Even appearing in the stomachs of the animals we share the planet with.
Below you will find a few easy swaps that everyone can do to help reduce their carbon footprint. Even the smallest changes make a big difference.
Getting yourself a good quality reusable Coffee Cup.
In the UK we use 7 million disposable coffee cups every day – that’s 2.5 billion every year. And less that 1 % of coffee cups are recycled – the rest are littered or just chucked into landfills. This rubbish has a detrimental effect on the planet. BUT there is something you can do yourself to help this – Get yourself a good quality reusable coffee cups.
I love love LOVE my Keep Cup https://uk.keepcup.com and my Stojo Cup https://stojo.co They are both super stylish and easy to carry around in your handbag. The Stojo cup is collapsible too so extra points there!
Most high street coffee shops and many independent shops now offer benefits when using a reusable cup. Such as money off your coffee and extra stamps on your loyalty card. Getting you that step closer to that freebie flat white 😉
Invest in a Snazzy Reusable Water Bottle
Reusable water bottles… Groundbreaking… But in all seriousness in the UK we use a staggering amount of single use plastic bottles. If you buy a good quality water bottle you can save yourself a pretty penny and cut down on plastic. When i have been in a cafe or restaurant they have never not filled my bottle up when i have asked either. I really like the metal ones.. I find the plastic ones smell after a while but, you do you! You can get some in some really beautiful designs as well – you go crazy and get the snazziest bottle you can find!
Some of my favourite brands are :
Chilli’s https://www.chillysbottles.com
Swell https://www.swellbottle.com
Built https://www.builtny.com
Reusable Shopping Bags & Vegetable Bags
I always have a canvas bag rolled up in my handbag so I don’t need to get a single use plastic one. In my car I have loads of reusable shopping bags and mesh vegetable bags as well – you can buy these mesh bags in a lot of shops or even Amazon.
Say NO to the Straw
Do you really need that straw with your G&T? No, probably not. So when ordering a drink tell the server that you do not need a straw – or ask if they have paper ones if you want one (tbh paper straws are s*** though) An insane amount of straws are used every year in the UK and how often do you see them littered on the street or washed up on a beach? Best just to go without – OR invest in metal or bamboo straws.
Food Wraps & Reusable Food Containers
I used to go through cling film and foil like no ones business. I then discovered Bees Wax warp! It is so easy to use and can be used over and over again. You simply warm the waxed ‘paper’ with your hands and wrap it around your food or over a bowl and then just wash it with cold water & soap. If you look after them you can use them for up to a year – they are biodegradable too!
I also invested in a few Stasher Bags which are made from silicone. They aren’t just for taking food with you on the go – you can use these to cook with as well! They are great for when you are marinading things too. I got mine from a local shop but you can buy them from Amazon & Lakeland – They also come in loads of gorgeous colours too!
This one sounds pretty obvious. A good quality reusable lunch box is invaluable. Working in an office for years I noticed how many people will go and buy a meal deal daily. This isn’t only expensive but your plastic use will go up and up. I really like the Japanese style metal Bento Boxes. The plastic ones I find smell after a while , but, you do you! . Make an extra portion of dinner, pop it in the box and grab it before you head out the door in the morning. Sorted.
Eco Friendly Period Products
Yep you read it correctly – Eco Friendly Periods! On average we ladies will individually go through more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in our lifetime. That is a staggering amount of waste that ends up in landfills and our oceans. Not to mention sanitary products are pretty pricy when you add it all up. Single use pads & tampons seem like the most practical products however there are so many alternatives now that are better for our environment, our purses and our vaginas too (woohoo!)
- Menstrual Cups
- Period Underwear
- Reusable Pads
- Softdiscs
I personally use a Mooncup, which is a cup made from silicon. It is reusable (you just wash it and pop it back up there) so you can use it for years. Like our dietary needs our Vag jay jays are subjective to each person.. so what works for some may not work for others. Shop around and see what works for you!
Mooncups : https://www.mooncup.co.uk
What are your sustainable swaps? I would love to know!
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