10 Ways to Reduce Plastic
with Lizzie Outside
25 April 2019
As a record-breaking paddle boarder, founder of not-for-profit charity Plastic
Patrol and the face of our ‘Ocean Refresh’ campaign, it’s safe to say blogger,
Lizzie Outside knows a thing or two about the ‘p’ problem. But how to live
with less plastic in our daily lives? Her advice is start small.
Patrol and the face of our ‘Ocean Refresh’ campaign, it’s safe to say blogger,
Lizzie Outside knows a thing or two about the ‘p’ problem. But how to live
with less plastic in our daily lives? Her advice is start small.
JUMP TO SECTION
1.
Invest in a reusable water bottle. Single use plastics are one of the main culprits here. Save the planet and save yourself the effort of buying new bottles.
2.
Visit farmer’s markets to stock up on loose fruit and veg. More supermarkets are also increasing their plastic-free product ranges so keep your eyes peeled.
3.
Choose cosmetics wisely. We’re all familiar with the microbead problem that’s blighting
our seas. Look for brands like Ren Clean Skincare that use natural ingredients and have
pledged to go 100% zero waste by 2021. You can also opt for natural exfoliators like sugar,
jojoba seeds or finely ground grains.
4.
Take a tote bag shopping with you. It’s an easy way to avoid single use plastics. You might have to pay for shopping bags these days, but they’re still a big part of the problem.
5.
Say no to straws. Both unnecessary and harmful, these often find their way into the sea causing immense harm to creatures who mistake them for food. A stainless steel reusable straw is a great alternative.
6.
Bring back the milkman. Plastic milk bottles will outlive you for hundreds of years. Switch back to reusable glass bottles for an environmentally friendly alternative.
7.
Avoid disposable cutlery. A tricky one to evade when you need to grab a quick lunch on the go. Get around this by carrying a spoon or fork in your bag for when the hunger strikes.
8.
Find alternatives to clingfilm. It’s a quick fix when you have leftover food, but it’s another serial offender when it comes to plastic pollution. Use beeswax wrap or go back to the old bowl in the fridge with a plate on top.
9.
Change up tea time. Plastic has made its way into even seemingly innocent teabags where it is often used as a seal. Experiment with loose leaf tea instead or brands like Pukka or Teapigs who keep their bags plastic free.
10.
Take part in a Plastic Patrol clean up. Get hands on in the fight against plastic by protecting your local area. There are Plastic Patrol clean ups that take place throughout the year and there’s nothing to stop you organising your own. Top tip: log all the plastic you collect in the #PlasticPatrol app to help collect the data needed to make long term change.
Latest Articles
