Plastic Free July - tips to reduce plastic waste

Plastic is something we all use in our everyday lives, whether that’s through plastic bags, plastic containers, plastic bottles or much more.

In the UK we throw away around 290,000 tonnes of plastic bags and wrapping every year. This makes up nearly a quarter of consumer packaging, yet only 6% is recycled. (Source: WRAP)

Most of the plastic we use comes from fossil fuels. These types of plastic are known as synthetic plastic, meaning they come from non-renewable sources such as crude oil, natural gas or coal and aren’t biodegradable.

Plastic, in most cases, is toxic for the environment, dangerous for wildlife and where it is biodegradable, it takes many years to fully compost.

A lot of products we use daily contain plastic or have plastic packaging, which is why as part of Plastic Free July, we want to share some tips to reduce plastic waste.

1. Move away from using disposable razors and plastic toothbrushes, revert to traditional blades, and next time you need a new toothbrush, try one made from bamboo rather than plastic.
2. Switch to a shampoo bar rather than using liquid from a plastic bottle. These last 2-3 times longer than traditional shampoo, so not only is this option good for the environment, it’s also good for your pocket.
3. Always take reusable bags with you when shopping. It can be difficult to remember to bring these with you, so keep them in a handy place to make it easier, such as in the basket of your bike, boot of your car, in your handbag, your workplace or near your front door.
4. Buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than plastic-wrapped ones. Loose products are readily available from greengrocers, supermarkets and farmers' markets. Buying loose can also significantly decrease food waste. In the UK, a household of four people wastes on average £1000 worth of food that could have been eaten every year, with fruit and veg being the greatest part of that wasted food. (Source: WRAP)
5. Buy refillable cleaning products or look for alternative ways to clean that don’t require the use of plastic packaged products, such as making your own all-purpose cleaner using vinegar and water. You can find lots of ways to clean up online without buying products from the supermarket. This makes it not only good for the environment but also for your pocket.
6. Store food in glass containers rather than plastic; you can find glass containers with wooden lids across the high street. Next time you need to buy food storage containers, look for glass ones rather than plastic.

Visit the Plastic Free July website to find more tips on how to reduce plastic waste