Tips to reduce your plastic waste

Carry a reusable coffee cup or flask. In 2019, an estimated 4.2 billion disposable coffee cups and 2.9 billion cup lids were sold in the UK (WRAP, 2022)^[2] — contributing to the plastic pollution problem. Of these, less than 7% were recycled (WRAP, 2022), meaning that, after lasting just minutes in your hand, they will sit in landfill or be burnt with other rubbish, continuing to produce pollution. Almost all coffee outlets will refill reusable cups and some offer a discount. There are many eco-friendly options for reusable cups out there so choose one to suit you.

Bring your own bottle

We produce 78 million tonnes of plastic globally but just 2% of this is made from recycled material (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)^[3]. This means common items like plastic bottles are produced from virgin plastic, used once and thrown away, at a cost to our planet. Plastic bottles are one of the most common sources of plastic pollution, and are frequently found on beach cleans globally. The lids commonly end up in seabirds’ stomachs.

If you’re getting lunch while you’re out, consider options to cut down on disposable packaging. For example, could you eat-in at a coffee shop rather than getting things to-go? This allows reusable crockery to be used, removes packaging for lunch options, and reduces waste as reusables will be washed afterwards. Alternatively, if you do need to get food to-go, could you bring your own container to a local café, sandwich shop, or food stall? By asking businesses to refill your container, you save them money and save the planet from disposable plastic! Some businesses will reward customers with a discount for bringing their own reusable lunch container, so always check with the owner.

Some teabags contain hidden plastics such as glues used to seal the bags, in the fabric of the bag itself, or in the packaging. For this reason, not all teabags can go into garden compost as they won’t break down (or may break down into microplastics). And some alternative bags, such as those made from polylactic acid (PLA), can’t go in your council food waste collection. Always check what you can put in your food bin where you live, using your council website. To avoid these plastics, try loose leaf tea which can be used with a strainer, or reusable teabags. Alternatively, look for brands that are taking action to remove plastic from their tea – try bags that are unbleached and organic, in cardboard packaging.  

All glitter is made from plastic. Due to its size and composition, glitter can last for many years in natural environments, breaking down into smaller microplastics and being ingested by wildlife. Even biodegradable glitter is a myth. There is no legal limit on how long it takes to decompose in the natural environment before it is called ‘biodegradable’, so many of the biodegradable glitters could last as long as plastic. It also has the same impact on wildlife and the natural environment – small particles are easily ingested by wildlife and could have harmful effects. Instead, steer clear of all glitter and opt for alternative decorations instead. 

Going plastic-free has its positives and negatives. Plastic weighs less than glass so can reduce transport emissions, but glass is more widely recycled and contains a higher portion of recycled content which can reduce its impact on resource consumption globally. If removing plastic from your life completely is unfeasible, make your plastic containers go further. For example, when a plastic bottle finishes, try your local refill shop and fill those containers with new products including wet and dry goods. We can also reuse containers like old butter and ice cream tubs as sandwich boxes, useful tubs for screws or nails, or planters for seedlings.

Start simple

And if it’s too daunting to know where to start, try making one small change and committing to it. For example, could you switch to a glass ketchup bottle instead of a squeaky plastic one? When you’re finished, wash it out and reuse it, refill it, or recycle it appropriately.