The use of single-use plastics has been increasing at an alarming rate. From plastic bags to straws, these products are becoming more and more common in daily life, but the environmental impact is enormous. In the UK, each person wastes 99kg of plastic per year on average. Plastic products are not biodegradable and often end up in the ocean or landfills, causing problems for wildlife and our environment.
Many people don’t think about how much plastic they use every day. From food packaging to personal care products, many of our daily routines rely on plastic. Plastic can actually be fantastic for improving hygiene, reducing breakages during transit and being affordable, but it’s when plastic is single-use that it results in a lot of waste impacting our environment.
The best place to start reducing single-use plastics is in the home. To reap the benefits of reducing single-use plastic, try these easy swaps.
- Cleaning solution bottles
Have a think about all the different cleaning solutions you have at home. Dishwashing liquid, window cleaner, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner, multi-purpose spray, oven cleaner, the list goes on. They all come in bottles which get thrown away and replaced when empty. What a waste!
You can eliminate single-use plastic bottles associated with cleaning by either choosing a refillable option or switching to DIY natural cleaning products. DIY cleaning products often use common household ingredients, so they are easy to make and perfect for anyone sensitive to harsh chemicals.
Bulk stores where you can fill your containers with cleaning products and food are great, but not everyone can get to one either due to time or proximity. Cleaning products that come in tablet form and you dissolve in water to create the cleaning solution are another fantastic option that is becoming increasingly available.
2. Shampoo bottles
Some hair care brands try to be less wasteful by offering bulk-sized bottles of shampoo or using a portion of recycled plastic; however, this only helps a little. A much better way to eliminate single-use plastic from shampoo bottles is by switching to shampoo bars.
I have to admit I am a little in love with shampoo bars. They can sound a little scary if you’ve never used them, but they are amazing! They clean and nourish hair just as regular shampoo would but without any plastic. Even though I now have a convenient option for refillable liquid shampoo available to me, I will continue to use shampoo bars.
3. Cotton buds
Cotton buds are only small, so it is easy to view them as insignificant, but they all add up.
Bamboo cotton buds are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cotton buds. They are made from sustainable materials that can be grown without pesticides. Bamboo is strong, durable, and biodegradable. The process of making bamboo cotton buds is eco-friendly as well, requiring little water and no chemical solvents.
After use, bamboo cotton buds can be easily disposed of with other organic waste.
4. Cling wrap
On top of the food packaging that comes from the supermarket, we often add more disposable materials to help store our food, like cling wrap and ziplock bags.
There are many other ways to store food without adding single-use plastic. And you don’t need to buy fancy stainless steel or glass containers to do it.
Use your existing tupperware. Hold onto plastic takeaway containers to use them again for food storage. Reuse glass jars.
My favourite way to cover food that’s already in a bowl is to simply place a plate on top.
5. Produce bags
Plastic produce bags for fruit and vegetables are totally unnecessary most of the time. Nothing irks me more than seeing someone totally disregard a banana’s perfect natural packaging by further encasing it in a plastic bag.
Certain fruits or vegetables do require a bag, though. Usually something small and numerous like grapes, cherries and green beans. A large number of apples, oranges, potatoes etc., are also more conveniently transported in a bag.
But instead of grabbing a plastic bag, opt for a reusable mesh produce bag. They are lightweight, easy to clean, and their breathability helps to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.
6. Liquid hand soap bottles
Liquid hand soap can very easily be replaced by old fashioned soap bars. However, I must admit I prefer liquid hand soap and particularly foaming hand soaps.
Luckily, several brands are now making foaming hand soaps tablets. They are plastic-free, come in compostable packaging and take up no space in your cupboard. Just fill the dispenser with water, drop in a tablet, and voila!
7. Garbage bags
If you’re reading this article, you are probably already trying to eliminate the amount of rubbish you produce. However, very few (if any) of us manage to achieve a zero-waste lifestyle, so garbage disposal is still necessary.
One option is to simply fill up the bin and then wash it once it is emptied. That can get pretty gross, though, so another alternative is lining the bin with newspaper.
You could also use single-use plastic bags from less avoidable sources as bin bags to give them a second life—bags from bread, crisps, mail satchels etc.
Conclusion
Single-use plastics are present in many areas of our lives, but the good news is that there are easy swaps to reduce the number of disposable items we throw away. Every small change you can make contributes to making a big difference. Which single-use plastic will you commit to eliminating in your house?
Carly Hobbs is the Chief Editor of My Green Toddler. She is passionate about reducing waste, second-hand shopping and creating circular economies. Through her blog, Carly shares simple ideas on how to live a sustainable lifestyle while juggling family life.
Photo by Benjamin Brunner on Unsplash.
