Reduce and Reuse wherever possible
Our key message for all products is to reduce and reuse wherever possible. It can save you money and help the planet!
It's important to think about the impact of what we replace single-use plastic with:
- Think about how the new item can be disposed of
- "Compostable" may be compostable only in limited circumstances
- Paper bags take energy and resources to make
- Other alternatives to plastic, such as bioplastic, come with their own problems
In the Home, Office or other Workplace
Generally
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| Store cupboard - zero waste style! |
- Take your own containers to shops that offer refill options for a wide range of food and household products.
- Search for 'zero waste shops' online to find current locations
Kitchen and Refreshments
- Use greaseproof paper, foil, reusable containers or beeswax wraps instead of cling film
- Buy loose fruit and vegetables if possible, or consider subscribing to a vegbox, which will often contain less plastic
- Buy jars and bottles of sauces etc instead of individual plastic sachets
- Consider having milk delivered in reusable glass bottles
- Use glasses for water instead of disposable plastic tumblers
- Use crockery for hot drinks and food instead of disposable cups and plates
- Make coffee in a cafetiere or filter coffee jug instead of a pod-based coffee machine
- Look for plastic-free tea bags or use loose-leaf tea
- Use a loofah scrub and coconut scraper instead of plastic cleaning utensils
- Use cotton or compostable cloths instead of plastic-based wipes
- Refill cleaning products at a zero waste store or buy a larger size - a 5 litre bottle uses less plastic than five 1 litre bottles
- Reuse bags to line bins rather than buying bin liners.
- Look for household cleaning items made of recycled plastic or where parts such as a brush head can be replaced
Bathroom, Personal care, Hair and Beauty
- Personal care products such as toothbrushes, interdental sticks, make-up brushes, hairbrushes and razors are available with bamboo handles instead of plastic. The handles are allegedly compostable but we can't speak from experience. Any non-bamboo parts such as bristles would need removing first - let us know if you've tried it and found it works!
- Refill toiletries at a zero waste store, or buy larger sizes
- Swap to bars of shampoo and conditioner
- Consider using a soap bar (in non-plastic wrapping) instead of shower gel
- Buy products wrapped in paper
- Buy products in tubes and pots made from recycled or biodegradable materials
- Use a metal safety razor instead of a disposable plastic one
- Look for silk dental floss instead of plastic
- Swap to toothpaste tablets instead of tubes
- Consider using eco-friendly feminine hygiene products
- Check whether medicinal products can be bought in a glass jar rather than in a blister pack or mixed material sachet
- Hair and beauty salons could consider reusable capes instead of disposable ones
Stationery and Packaging
- Buy notebooks, pens and pencils made from recycled plastic and other waste
- Buy cardboard folders (ideally from recycled card) rather than plastic
- Consider buying refilled printer ink cartridges if they are suitable for your printer.
- If you need to replace your printer, consider buying one with an ink tank instead of cartridges
- Use paper bags instead of plastic
- Buy biodegradable packing tape
- Reuse bubble wrap and other plastic packaging, or use tissue paper or cardboard instead
- For catering and hospitality businesses, explore sustainable options such as cardboard or biodegradable bagasse containers
Hobbies and Events
- If you need clear bags look for biodegradable alternatives to cellophane
- Eco-friendly glitter is a better alternative for crafting. Bear in mind that cards containing glitter or foil can't be recycled, but you can reuse them to make new cards or gift tags.
- Consider alternatives to laminating posters etc
- Use bunting instead of balloons
- Buy biodegradable packing tape
Out and About
- Take a reusable coffee cup, water bottle and set of cutlery with you
- A number of high street chains and independent coffee shops and cafes will give you a discount for bringing your own cup, or give extra loyalty points
- Water bottles are available locally - including at our Plastic Free Business Champions The Grange at No.5 and Hit the Trail. Hit the Trail also sells reusable mugs.
- Download the Refill app to find outlets, including water stations, where you can refill your water bottle
- Refill also highlights coffee shops that accept your own cup, as well as takeaway outlets that allow you to use your own containers
- Buy biodegradable wet wipes. Try and avoid individually wrapped wipes of any sort
- Take a bag with you
- Do you really need an individual plastic-wrapped towel in a restaurant?
In the Garden
We created this list of suggestions for Open Gardens Day in 2021
