Single-use plastic products, defined as those that are intended to be used just once or for a short period of time before being disposed of, are a big concern in industrialised nations due to their negative environmental impact.
As part of the Plastic Free July campaign, 21 organisations across the UK signed an open letter to ask the British government to tackle plastic pollution. At the same time, EU countries have started to implement the EU Single-Use Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) in their national legislations to ban single-use plastic in certain objects like cutlery, plates and food containers.
But reducing the amount of plastic waste is not just a government decision. We can start by taking simple measures in our everyday life or incorporating new habits that will allow us to have a more eco-friendly lifestyle and reduce our carbon footprint.
Doop has conducted research and contacted experts to reveal a list of 10 ways in which we can be more sustainable by swapping single-use plastic with reusable alternatives.
Tip 1. Use a glass or stainless steel water bottle or coffee mug.
This will help you save money and produce less waste in the long run. You can take the bottle or mug with you wherever you go and fill it with your favourite drink.
Tip 2. Buy unpackaged goods.
Next time you go to a supermarket choose loose items like fruits and vegetables instead of those that come wrapped in plastic trays. There is an added value: these products are probably fresher.
Tip 3. Buy in bulk.
“Purchase food, like cereal, pasta, and rice from bulk bins and fill a reusable bag or container”, says Shiv Misra, co-founder and owner of plastic zero waste online shop Roots and Hoots.
There are more stores than ever offering the possibility of buying in big quantities. Shopping in bulk allows you to reduce your packaging waste since it eliminates the need for fancy packaging which is usually made of single-use plastic.
This applies to all kinds of products, but especially cleaning products and food. Cleaning products usually come in small size plastic containers. When buying in a larger package (often reusable), you are using less plastic bottles.
Tip 4. Remove plastic cutlery & straws.
Replace your plastic cutlery with stainless steel sets and your plastic straws with paper or sugarcane straws.
Tip 5. Refill your ink cartridges.
Now that we are mostly working from home or in a hybrid work environment it is easier than ever to keep control of our working supplies. Refilling our printer ink cartridges is both a cost-effective solution and it’s an efficient way of reducing plastic waste.
Tip 6. Choose local businesses and open-air markets.
If a product has to travel less, then less plastic will be used to protect it as part of its packaging. It’s a good option to choose local food suppliers, because you will be promoting sustainability and the economy in your neighbourhood.
“Buy your produce from a farmer’s market or greengrocer, instead of purchasing apples and cucumbers wrapped in plastic”, says Abigail Ireland, Peak Performance Strategist and founder of Third Planet Collective.
Tip 7. Change your traditional plastic toothbrush to a recycled plastic option.
According to the British Dental Association, “if we each use one toothbrush every three months in the UK, we are disposing of approximately 200 million brushes each year”. It’s important to generate less waste, even when you brush your teeth, but keep in mind that not all plastics are bad.
“Recycled plastic that is also recyclable is a better alternative. Over 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year and at least 8 million tonnes somehow end up in our oceans, so it’s a very sad state of affairs. The more we can stop single-use plastic being produced and use existing plastic in a productive way, the better”, reminds Abigail Ireland.
Toothbrush bristles are the part that should be replaced every 3 months as they lose effectiveness in cleaning and begin to damage gums, but there is no need to replace the whole toothbrush. Alternatives like Doop are made of recycled plastic with removable heads. Instead of buying 20 toothbrushes in 5 years, you would be buying just one and replacing its head every 3 months, significantly reducing the quantity of waste.
“We believe that plastic pollution is a problem mainly created by irresponsible design practices. We focussed our energies on responsible design and not creating one more unnecessarily disposable object”, says Bernardo Lourenço, CEO at Doop.
Tip 8. Start using shampoo and soap bars.
Since we are talking about objects we use in the bathroom on a regular basis, it’s important to highlight options like soap and shampoo bars.
Soap and shampoo bars are plastic-free as they don’t come in plastic bottles like their liquid versions. Moreover, they are usually made of natural ingredients and in most cases they come in recyclable packaging.
Tip 9. Wear reusable menstrual cups.
“Around 45 billion period products are disposed of every year and because these products contain a high proportion of plastic (usually around 90%) they take a long time to break down in the natural environment”, says Sarah Jordan, CEO and Founder of the sustainable shop Y.O.U Underwear.
One cup produces 0.4% of the plastic waste generated by single-use pads and 6% of the one created by tampons in 10 years, according to a recent study published by The Lancet. So, it makes them a more sustainable alternative than the other period products.
Tip 10. Get rid of plastic bags.
Use jute, other fabric bags or a rucksack everytime you go to the supermarket to get your groceries. They are generally very resistant, can carry heavy weight and can last longer than plastic bags.
Instead of implementing all changes at the same time, try to use a step-by-step and lasting approach to a more sustainable life. “Don’t try and switch everything all at once. It will cost you a lot of money and you’ll likely get overwhelmed. Start small, making little changes as you go and enjoy the process. Sustainable living is a journey and it takes time and effort to get it right but it’s worth it”, says Georgina Caro, sustainable lifestyle expert at gypsysoul.co.uk.
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Source: http://hrnews.co.uk/10-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-plastic-waste-in-your-everyday-life/
