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Each year, the global Plastic Free July movement helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet due to the rapid increase in production of single-use plastics.
We have all become used to having single-use plastic in our daily lives, with the durable, cheap and versatile nature of the material making plastic perfect for almost every food and drink carton across the world.
But this has resulted in an overwhelming amount of plastic waste, which can take up to 500 years to decompose and often ends up in our oceans, threatening wildlife.
The good news is that reducing your consumption of single-use plastic can be incredibly easy. If we all try some simple hacks to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic, we can together make a huge impact during Plastic Free July – and beyond.
This year, global non-profit organisation The Breteau Foundation has set out on a mission to inspire over 1 million children to become ambassadors for change in the fight against plastic via its Plastic Changemakers initiative.
As part of the initiative, environmental and educational experts have come together to provide a comprehensive education pack all about plastics, and how we can kickstart a global movement on tackling plastic pollution.
Below, The Breteau Foundation’s plastic pollution experts have given their top tips on how to reduce plastic use.
You may not be aware that one of the major sources of plastic pollution is our clothes, with materials such as polyester, nylon and other synthetic fibres all being forms of plastic.
So, when your favourite T-shirt has had its day, think twice about automatically throwing it in the bin, as there are many ways it can continue its life!
Old clothes and materials make great cleaning rags and cloths – simply tear them or cut them up. Not only does this reuse your clothes, it will also save you money on cleaning rags – win, win!
When shopping for groceries, choose loose fruit and vegetables where possible, instead of pre-packaged ones in plastic bags.
The more we all switch to doing this where possible, the more our supermarkets will get the idea that we don’t need plastic for our veg!
If you still want to organise or protect your fruits and vegetables, consider using reusable produce bags instead.
Reusable bottles are everywhere these days, with many companies springing up selling stylish, affordable and leak-proof bottles.
While it may seem like a small swap, humans use approximately 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total, so switching to a reusable water bottle can save billions of plastic bottles going to landfill each year.
With many major cities, including London, investing in handy water refill points, using a reusable water bottle is as simple (and cheap) as ever.
Plastic toothbrushes contribute to the growing plastic waste problem. Make a sustainable switch by opting for bamboo toothbrushes.
Bamboo is a biodegradable and renewable resource, offering a planet-friendly alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes.
Avoid single-use shopping bags where possible and opt for reusable bags, which are sturdy and longer lasting.
We aren’t all perfect and won’t always remember our reusable bags, so a great idea is to have a foldable bag in your regular handbag, your car or work bag, so that you always have one with you.
If you know you will have to eat lunch on the move, why not plan ahead and prepare your lunch at home in a Tupperware or reusable container.
By doing so, you will not only save yourself a hefty sandwich price tag, but you will avoid the plastic waste that comes with shop-bought sandwiches and lunch items.
A great overall tip for reducing single-plastic use is to ask yourself these two simple questions:
1. Will I use this plastic more than once?
If the answer is no, ask yourself if you really need this item or if there is another option where plastic won’t be used.
If the answer is yes, is there a reusable option you can purchase?
2. Does this need to be made out of plastic? Are there other material options for this product or packaging which are biodegradable, more easily recycled or will last longer? If so, seek these out.
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