This month, we’ve celebrated Plastic Free July, a month where people are being encouraged to use less plastic or to even live a plastic-free life. As the month is drawing to a close, we wanted to share a few ways you can make changes in your day-to-day lives and to do your part to reduce the amount of plastic being discarded.
Firstly though, let’s discuss just how plastic is having a negative impact on our planet. According to The Wildlife Trust, “Plastic is choking our seas and natural world. It poses a huge threat to wildlife because it doesn’t just disappear; it simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.” Not only does it harm our wildlife, but it also clogs up street drains, and as most plastic can’t be recycled, it’ll stay around forever.
Here are some ways we can all make a difference to the amount of plastic we use in our daily routines:
It’s tempting and perhaps more convenient to just grab a plastic carrier bag when you go through checkout, but opting for reusable bags that you can take with you each time you shop can significantly reduce the amount of plastic bags being used and thrown away.
Many supermarkets and shops that sell products such as toiletries or cleaning products have a range of refill options available, so you can reuse and refill your plastic bottles. There are also package-free stores opening up across the globe such as this Asda store in Leeds, which we love!
Refillable water bottles and reusable cups, for example, are a great way to reduce the amount of single-use plastic. The Welsh Government alone has stated that there are 33 million units of disposable cups and stirrers sold per year in Wales. Switching to reusable options can significantly reduce this number, especially if implemented worldwide.
Cling film is bad for the environment and is clogging up our oceans along with every other piece of single use plastic. However, there are some brilliant eco-friendly alternatives, made from things such as beeswax and tree resin. You can even use your reusable tupperware boxes or silicone reusable lids!
Usually, kitchen sponges are made from plastic, but there are plenty of alternative options using more sustainable materials. Green and yellow plastic sponges in particular are made from synthetic fibres that not only pollute waterways, but they aren’t biodegradable either.
Even though pre-packaged fruit and vegetables can be the convenient option, it also creates unnecessary waste and, in many cases, a lot of plastic. To reduce this, simply opt for loose fruit and veg or use paper bags that are available from many supermarkets today.
There are so many ways we can do our part to reduce plastic and to help the planet. Our solutions are also created with sustainability in mind, and we have three powerful solutions for energy and grease management;
For more information about any of our products or for details about how we can help you, get in touch with the team by calling 0118 973 9310.