4 Simple Switches To Reduce Your Every Day Plastic Waste

It’s no secret that the extreme amount of plastic used by people daily is causing a large strain on our planet. The headlines have made it clear. Single-use plastics will be the death of our planet if we don’t start to make a change. More and more people across the globe are beginning to realise that something needs to be done before it’s too late. In the last month, plans to ban plastic shopping bags in New York have been released. Sir David Attenborough backed the manufacture of biodegradable glitter. A British coffee company happily took a 25% profit loss in order to remove single-use cups from all of their shops. Governments and corporations have the responsibility to take larger action. But what can we do as individuals to cut down our personal plastic footprints and recycle more?

The idea of living completely plastic free can be frightening. After all, we’ve become so reliant on plastic! There are, however, more and more easy alternatives to help you on your way! I’m not suggesting you quit plastic cold-turkey (unless you’re ready to do that). There are smaller changes you can start with to help you on your way to living a more eco-friendly life. Here are four easy switches to reduce your every day plastic waste.

Easy Sustainable Changes…

Bathroom Routine

We use a lot of plastic in the bathroom. Just go stand in your bathroom, look around and note all of the plastic items you can see. Your toothbrush, razor, shampoo, shower gel, the list goes on and on. Some of these items can be swapped for products that have been around just as long – if not longer – that are completely plastic free. Shower gel comes in a plastic bottle, so instead opt for a traditional bar of soap. Not only does this typically use more natural products, it is also completely plastic free!

Another bar you could switch out a bottle for is a shampoo bar. These products are fairly new and have risen with the fight against plastic, they are a fantastic way to get rid of your plastic bottle. Plastic toothbrushes can also be swapped out for a bamboo toothbrush, which works just as well without the unnecessary plastic waste when you replace it every 3 months.

Another product you may not think about as much when it comes to plastic is razors. Both disposable and reusable razors from the supermarket are mostly made out of plastic. Of course reusable razors are slightly better, though they will still be disposed of eventually as well as having plastic in the razor heads. For plastic free shaving, switch to a safety razor. Not only do they help you cut back on plastic waste (they are completely plastic free), they also help you save money! The English Shaving Company have a fantastic collection of safety razors for both men and women.

Reusable Products

Replacing typical one-use plastic products with reusable ones is a fantastic way to reduce your waste. The plastic bag fee came into place in 2015 to help reduce the amount of plastic bags people use when shopping. This has helped greatly reduce the amount of plastic bags we use, instead replacing them with reusable carrier bags. Get yourself a few material bags of a variety of sizes for all of your shopping! Tote bags are the perfect size to fit inside your everyday handbag, so you always have something with you.

One use water bottles, cups and straws are other big issues when it comes to plastic use. Paper or metal straws are great alternative to your usual plastic straw. If you are wanting something more permanent and reusable then opt for metal straws. These usually come with a tiny brush for you to clean the straw with after you’ve used it, making it a great reusable option that works just as well as the plastic version. To avoid using plastic disposable cups, carry around your own travel mug and ask for tea’s and coffee’s to be put in this instead. A lot of coffee shops are working to reduce plastic waste, so will appreciate the effort you are making!

Packaging

In some cases there is no way to avoid packaging. In the modern world, a lot of our products require some form of packaging, with plastic being the easiest and cheapest for most companies. For items that require packaging, try and look for alternative brands that come in either glass or cardboard packaging. This is all 100% recyclable and a lot better for the environment than plastic products.

There are a lot of occasions where companies put their fruits and vegetables in plastic packaging. This is not necessary, as most produce have their own protective layer or can easily be prepared with a quick wash. Also, paper bags would be just as useful in this situation. When it comes to fresh produce opt for the products the store has available in either no packaging or paper rather than the plastic wrap. If you really want to dedicate yourself to living life with less plastic and helping the environment, you could even begin growing your own produce at home.

Skin Care

Our skin care routines can often involve a lot of one-use plastic products. Earbuds are one of these products, a handy little cotton bud that can be used for various reasons. The one-use items are great to use, but awful for the environment. Luckily, someone has made a bamboo alternative! This means you can carry on using these handy little products without the guilt of using too much plastic.

Although not made out of plastic, cotton pads often come in plastic packaging. Cotton pads are a big part of most of our skin care routines, when it comes to removing makeup and applying toner. Fear no more, reusable cotton pads are now a thing. The handy little pack comes in a material bag for storage and are cleaned by simply popping them into the washing machine. They work just as well as usual cotton pads, without the unnecessary added plastic.

Small Changes for a Big Difference

Although these four switches may seem like small changes, they still make a huge difference to your plastic footprint. If we all just started making these simple life changes and beginning to cut plastic out, we will see a drastic difference to our planet. We are running out of time to save our beautiful planet and the creatures who live on it. What small changes are you making to reduce your plastic use? Share your ideas in the comments below so we can continue discovering more ways to help save our planet.

If you were going to reduce your waste, where would you start?