10 Quick Ways to Reduce your Plastic Consumption
Going Green for Plastic Free July
Be an earth lover and join more than 120 million people all across the globe who are choosing to refuse single-use plastics this July with our top ten simple swaps!
We don’t need to preach to you about the impact of plastic on our planet. We all know the devastating effects it’s having on our natural environments and animal populations. Plastic stays around forever, it’s not recyclable.
By 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than there are fish.
About 8.3 million tonnes of plastic has been produced since the 1950s - that’s equivalent to roughly a billion elephants or 47 million blue whales.
A whopping 70% of this plastic has ended up in landfills or worse, the environment!
But unfortunately plastic has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. If you made a diary recording the plastic your family uses every day no doubt you’d end up with a pretty long list! What’s more you’d be surprised to learn some of the products that actually contain plastic. For example, chewing gum, tea bags, paper cups, wet wipes and even glitter! Evidently cutting plastic out of our lives completely isn’t easy but there are some quick ways you can reduce your family’s consumption, from simple zero-waste swaps to re-purposing plastic products, and help make a difference to our planet this Plastic Free July. Here’s our top ten!
Stay hydrated and help save the earth with a refillable water bottle. We love the collection at https://www.babame.com/reusable-water-bottle-why-use-one.html
Swap plastic straws for an eco-friendly alternative such as these bendy silicone ones from Kidly or this colourful biodegradable pack from LEON.
If you can’t refuse, then reuse. Turn empty yoghurt pots into your next art project or use them to plant herbs or flowers in. Here’s some more great ideas using plastic bottles - https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/diy-plastic-bottles-recycling/
Swap cling film in your lunchbox or picnic hamper for beeswax wraps which also support the bee population! Check out our colourful Stib pack for children HERE. It includes four wraps which can be used again and again each saving at least 200 pieces of plastic going into landfill!
Pick up a bar of soap wrapped in paper instead of a plastic bottle of hand wash.
When you go shopping, remind your adult to use a ‘bag for life’.
Swap your toothbrush for a bamboo one - 100% natural and biodegradable!
Try overhauling your eating habits. Instead of snacking on crisps or sweets choose a piece of fruit and purchase loose as opposed to in plastic packaging (extra bonus points for being healthy!). Try making your own ice lollies (we love this fun fun umbrella shaped set).
) rather than buying new and if you’re having an ice cream when out and about opt for a cone over a tub with a plastic spoon.
Rather than buying new toys can you organise a toy swap with a friend and when you’ve finished with those you have, pass them on or donate them to a charity.
Have a go at making some of your own resources such as cornflower glue, deodorant, colour catchers or toothpaste or ‘bag for life’. Here’s a simple how to - https://www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/make-your-own-bag-for-life/
So, make a plastic pledge, choose to refuse for July and hopefully it won’t be long before your trial run becomes a habit!
For more information, tonnes of resources and top tips on how to reduce your plastic consumption check out www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk set up by Earth Lovers Amy and Ella Meek, aged 16 and 14.
Or visit the official Plastic Free July website at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/