10 Ways to Reduce Plastic

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I remember years ago I decided to remove plastic from my life completely. Fantastic idea! Then I looked around my world, realised just how ubiquitous it is and felt suddenly overwhelmed. Instead, I’ve been taking it one step at a time. Find a plastic in my life, work out how to reduce or completely remove it, then move on to something else. As I build up new habits, taking on others becomes easier rather than trying to tackle everything at once.

1. Stop the takeaway coffee cups

Seriously, just stop. Get yourself a reusable cup or sit down and drink it. You’ll most likely enjoy the coffee more if you can sit and savour it. There’s no good reason for using takeaway cups anymore. 

2. Reusable grocery bags

Lots of places have outright banned the flimsy plastic options so now you have to take your own. This is one place that regulation and consumer demand have been working hand in hand to make progress on waste reduction.

3. Bamboo cutlery

I have a wee pack stashed in the bottom of my handbag so I can refuse those single-use forks if I’m getting takeaways. It even has a set of chopsticks in case I have a craving for noodles (this happens more than it probably should).

4. Naked fruit and veggies

When you’re at the grocery store, you apples can actually go in the trolley next to your oranges. Or, get yourself some produce bags that can hold them separate from each other. Even better, head along to a farmers market that doesn’t have plastic on offer.

5. Head to the refill bins

These are in most supermarkets and there are speciality stores opening now too. Just remember to take your own container or use a paper bag. 

6. Switch your shower routine

Swap out the plastic bottles of shampoo, soap and conditioner for solid blocks that come in cardboard. I’ve just convinced my partner to switch shampoo and he’s seriously impressed with its effectiveness.

7. Swap the cling film for beeswax

Beeswax wraps are honestly a game-changer. I love the way with just a bit of heat from your hand they’ll tightly wrap anything. You also avoid those times where you end up with a piece too small, not the right size or stuck to itself and totally useless.

8. Reusable water bottles

Tap water, in most places, is perfectly good to drink. Save your wallet and the planet in one easy step with this one. If your tap water isn’t drinkable, look into filter options or refillable bottles.

9. Grow your own herbs

I am big on this at the moment. I love having fresh herbs to add to my cooking and if I get them from the supermarket they’re always wrapped in plastic. Having your own means that the rest of the bunch won’t die in the back of the fridge after you’ve added three sprigs of thyme to your risotto.

10. Ditch single-use menstrual products

Menstrual cups and period pants provide a just as good, if not better, way of dealing with your period. Again, I haven’t looked back since making the switch.

Final Note

There are definitely a lot of other steps that can be taken to help reduce the amount of plastic in our lives. I’d love to know, what are your favourite steps to reduce the plastic in your life?