#PlasticFree

Our single use, minute by minute lifestyle is having a serious and long term impact on the world. It doesn't have to.

The problem with plastic

Plastic is so ingrained in our everyday lives that it can be difficult to avoid. Challenge yourself with Plastic Free July, and find out how to avoid the pitfalls of plastic.

Only 8% of plastic is recycled worldwide

Chemicals leach from plastic into our food and drinks, creating worrying concerns for our health.

Microfibre contamination from plastic clothing affects 83% of the world's water supply.

Plastics are reaching the shores of uninhabited islands, and creating rubbish dumps in the sea.

Sea birds are getting stuck in plastic debris, and are regularly eating it as it emits a smell like food.

Go plastic free

Get a refillable bottle. Carry a stainless steel bottle with you. You're entitled to request tap water for free as a customer at any licensed premises, or look at the Refill campaign for friendly places to refill your bottle.
Use a reusable cloth shopping bag. Leave cloth bags in the boot of your car, and a fold-up one in your handbag or rucksack so it's always handy on the go.
Carry a reusable flask for hot drinks. Ask coffee chains to fill your flask. You'll reduce plastic waste and avoid the #LatteLevy, saving money.
It's the last (plastic) straw! Say NO to plastic straws when ordering a drink out, or take a reusable one with you. #StrawsSuck.
Choose natural fibre clothing, like organic cotton, hemp or bamboo. Polyester, lycra and nylon are all plastic fabrics and cause micro fibre pollution. Sustainable clothing choices can be more expensive, so consider waiting for the sales to purchase. Nevertheless, they last longer, and the 'per-wear' cost works out much cheaper than fast fashion.
Go for cloth nappies instead of disposable.
Swap wet wipes for a flannel and water. Switch your makeup wipes and baby wipes for a flannel, and any cleaning wipes for rags or towels.

What else can I do?

Work out how much waste you create in a week. Simply store up all the plastics you use for a week. With your plastic stash, see:

which items are single-use that you can find an alternative to. Can you find fruit and veg which don't come in plastic packaging? Could you sign up to a milk round instead of buying milk in plastic bottles?
which items in your rubbish resulted from a lack of preparation. For example, disposable coffee cups, drinks bottles or ready meals. How can you make sure you're prepared in the future?
could you avoid buying packaged meat or cheese by buying from a butcher or deli counter? Take waxed paper or foil (alternatives to cling film) and ask for your purchase to be placed in that.
which manufacturers you could write to encouraging them to seek alternatives to plastic packaging.
if you could reduce your need to buy ready meals by looking at our #WorthSaving avoidable food waste campaign for how to cook more from scratch and freeze your leftovers.

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#PlasticFree

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