According to Plastic Oceans UK, around 50% of the world's plastic produced in one year is used and thrown away in just minutes... it is single-use and will stay on this planet for centuries.

7 easy and affordable ways to say no to plastic

It's stating the obvious, that our addiction to throw-away plastic needs to change otherwise the damage to our environment and the ocean biodiversity will be irreversible.

In the words of Anne Marie Bonneau,

"we don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly"

I like to think of it as a journey, as slow as you need it to be, but the fact that you've decided to join the millions on this path to reduce, reuse and recycle is something amazing.

As a mum of two, the terms global warming, climate change or climate crisis didn't even feature in my day to day vocabulary until I was a teenager. Of course we learnt about looking after our planet, but it saddens me when my 5 year old daughter asks me what's happening and what these terms mean.

As a family we are still in the early days of our journey to living more sustainably, but happy with our progress so far, and best of all, our kids are growing up knowing more about how to look after our planet and making more mindful decision about what we buy and consume.

Here are my 7 easy and affordable ways to get you started on the path of reducing your plastic consumption and getting you on your way to living plastic-free...

Get yourself a reusable coffee cup - It requires an initial investment, but if you are a coffee lover like me, then many independent coffee shops and even the larger chains will give you a discount on a brew if you bring your own re-usable coffee cup! Saving you some pennies in the long run Tick

Make sustainable takeaway options - Order takeaway from the many restaurants who are dedicated in making a change to their takeaway packaging, many do now package their food in recyclable packaging, but not all. If this proves tricky in your area, you could politely decline any plastic cutlery as a start. Tick

Say no to plastic straws - This is one the easiest and inexpensive changes to make... it requires you to just say no to a plastic straw if you are offered one at a bar or restaurant. If you feel you need a straw, you could purchase some stainless steel reusable straws that you can keep in a handy pouch in your handbag. Tick

Say no to plastic drinks bottles - According to Recycle Now, everyday we use an average of 35.8 million plastic bottles in the UK alone, and it is estimated that only half of these find their way in to recycle bins. The rest must sadly end up spending a few centuries in a landfill or find their way in to the ocean or our surrounding environment. Simply put, one person in a household using a reusable stainless steel water bottle can avoid approximately 365 plastic bottles being purchased per year (based on 1 bottle per day), saving you around £500 a year. The initial spend of approximately £25 for a stainless steel bottle seems hugely like the more affordable option and it's so much better for the planet. Tick

Buy loose fruit & veg - We as consumers have the power to change how supermarkets supply their produce. If we are wiser with what we buy, the supermarkets are more likely to make more changes to suit our growing needs. Taking your own cotton bags or recycled plastic mesh bags to purchase loose produce becomes second nature after a few visits. Tick

Buy from zero-waste food stores - Simply get online and find your local zero-waste food shop. This is an easy way to say no to the packaging used on household staples such as rice, pasta, lentils, cereals, shampoo and shower gel etc. Many also stock some amazing local zero waste deli items too so I always find it a real treat when I need a restock! Tick

Choose less packaging in your purchases - So many of our day to day items are packaged in unnecessary packaging, just taking a few moments to choose items which are more sustainably packaged can make a world of difference. Tick

Check out Plastic Oceans for more ideas.

In the meantime if you are keen to support eco-minded small businesses in your area why not browse our Low/no plastic gift box collections. Entirely free from single-use plastic and all conventional plastics. You will only find the occasional biodegradable/home compostable plastic in some of our collections. 

Click the image to browse our range.

 

We are proud of the steps we have taken, and thank you for your support in helping us grow by gifting consciously.

Find out more about us and how we help the planet.