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There are things we can all do to reduce the amount of single use, avoidable plastic we use. Here are some tips on how to have a less plastic lifestyle. Just try one at a time, get used to it and let it settle into your life … then try another. Before you know it you’ll have made a huge difference to your ‘plastic bootprint’.
36.5 million single-use bottles are bought every day in the UK. Only half are recycled. The rest are burnt, buried or end up in the environment. This one action alone makes a big impact on resources, litter, and our pockets. You can save up to £400 a year by refilling with tap water.
Seven million disposable cups are used each day in the UK. 99% end up in landfill, being burnt or polluting the environment. Compostable cups are not a solution so refuse single-use. Most cafes in Penzance and beyond offer a discount for using refill cups. You can save up to 50p a drink.
Straws suck. Refuse them. Even paper straws. If one is put in your drink hand it back explaining you are avoiding unnecessary throwaway items. Some people are reliant on straws, we know that. In those cases check out the great range of re-usable straws, now widely available.
Carrier bags stay in the environment indefinitely. Bio-plastic bags break down quicker, but are still plastic. Marine wildlife mistake carrier bags for jellyfish and eat them. You have to pay for carriers. Pretty good reasons to take your own re-useable bags when shopping.
How can you avoid the mountain of plastic that comes with the weekly shop? Try these top tips and again let each one settle into your lifestyle.
Some things cost more, some things are cheaper and some things you just won’t buy anymore. Reducing single-use plastic is an ongoing commitment. The key is to shop local as much as possible, which has the added benefit of keeping our hard earned cash in the local economy.
As a first step why not decide to stop buying fruit and veg in the supermarket, where it’s plastic wrapped. Head to your local high street grocer, farm shop, roadside stall or order a veg box from a local grower. Less plastic and less food miles = wins all round! You can also buy some fruit and veg loose in the supermarket, just pop it straight in the trolley and then into a reusable bag to take home.
Choose flours, cereals, pasta, rice, sugar and other dried goods in paper bags. Some supermarkets sell more than others … but to be sure head to your local refill shop. We have The Weigh Inn, Archie Browns, Refillution, The Granary and more who offer refill in paper bags and are happy to refill containers from home. Think herbs, spices, pastas, dried fruit, flours, rices, cake mixes, nuts, seeds.
So this can be tricky … and we are all about being realistic and making the changes we can before tackling the harder stuff. BUT, there is a way around this one. Shop at your local butcher and take your own containers! Lenterns in Penzance paper wrap meat and are more than happy to fill tubs from home.
Head to the local bakery and get your loaf, rolls or treats in paper bags. Places like Loafs on Causeway Head are pretty much completely plastic free. Others vary, but all our local bakers are great and have plastic free options. In the supermarket opt for loose bread and take your own washable cotton bag. Even if we just reduce the amount we buy in plastic, it all helps. And it tastes SO much better!
A few ideas to get started: Register with your milkman and go back to glass bottles. Refillution & Archie’s do milk refills in store. Bulk buy yoghurt in bigger containers and decant into smaller pots (reuse the containers afterwards) or have a go at making your own in glass jars. Treat yourself to some paper wrapped cheese from Newlyn Cheese Shop. Make sure you wash and recycle any plastic you do use.
This is where you can get creative. There are loads of fabulous and simple recipes out there for biscuits, granola bars, cakes, savoury bites, energy balls … endless opportunities! Wrap in paper or use a re-useable tub to store and carry around. Also check out local refill shops for nuts, seeds, dried fruit and other treats, and store them in jars at home ready to decant/raid for elevensies.
We are lucky in Penzance to have a refill tea and coffee shop. Didn’t know? Go check out Mr Billy’s in Queens Square. Fresh ground coffee and loose tea galore! In other shops opt for loose tea, cardboard packaging and avoid individually wrapped herbal teas. Get hot chocolate, cocoa and cacao from refill shops like the Weigh Inn or opt for cardboard tubs instead of plastic jars/packets.
Up your game and reduce plastic impact around the home with some easy changes you can make pretty much straightaway. Others will take time to come through as you replace items naturally; things like opting for a natural scrubbers and wooden brushes next time the scourers run out. Replace disposable wipes and cloths with re-useable and washable versions. Here are some first steps to get things going in the right direction.
Refill, Refill, Refill! Washing up liquid and other cleaning fluids are available to refill in Penzance and the fab thing is that the products and the companies behind them are kinder to our world. Reduce the amount of products you buy too – a home made mix of washing up liquid and water in a refill spray bottle and a good scrub really does do most things. Go for polish in a tin and opt for good re-useable cloths and dusters that can be washed time and time again. Did your mum used to save old knickers for cleaning? You could try that too!
Again you can swap to refill here, it’s a fab way to cut plastic and also the eco-impact of what goes down the drains. Laundry liquid and conditioner are available to refill in Penzance as well as cardboard boxes of eco whiteners and stain removers. Other ideas: Swap to washing powder in cardboard boxes, ditch conditioner (do you really need it?) and defo scrap the laundry water. You could even have a go at making your own products, there is no end to the power of bicarb!
You really don’t have to be smelly to be plastic free. There are amazing personal hygiene products on the market which are plastic-free, eco kind … and work. Think deodorant bars in cardboard tubes, bamboo toothbrushes, refill tooth tabs and charcoal floss in a refill jar. Coconut oil in a glass jar is a brilliant all-rounder for moisturising, make-up removal and for deep conditioning hair. Swap to soap bars, shampoo bars and if you really need conditioner, do it on a refill basis – again available in Penzance. Our bodies and hair need time to adjust to not having all those chemicals and ‘buy me’ products on them … but you’ll find it’s worth it and you’ll end up buying less products.
Not all plastic is bad. It’s the way we produce and use plastic that has got out of hand. So don’t go chucking out all your Tupperware. It’s the key to a ‘plastic-free’ lifestyle! Use it for leftovers, packed lunches, storing homemade snacks and treats etc. There is more evidence now on the impact of toxic chemicals in plastic containers so if you are starting to swap out plastic food tubs for non food use then things like ‘Kilner’ jars are great for storing refill goods like cereal, flour, sugar, baking ingredients, pasta, rice etc. Reuse smaller glass jars to store refill seeds, nuts … custard powder (Yes – you can get refill custard powder in town) Don’t buy new plastic for the kitchen unless you have too and invest in great storage tins and boxes. As items need replacing opt for plastic free versions, wooden brushes, scrubbers and pegs all look amazing too.
Make your day extra special and tasteful by ditching single-use plastic. Go for natural table decorations and hire proper crockery/cutlery. If it’s not possible go for wooden cutlery and home compostable bagasse foodware. Avoid the ‘compostable’ plastic pitfall of products like Vegware and other bio-plastics … unless you are arranging for a collection of it all so it can go to the specialist composting unit it needs. Scrap plastic based confetti and go traditional with flower petals or rice. Use washable or paper serviettes, refill drinks cups and carboard or material favours. More tips here
Want to get into the finer detail? This is the section for you. Once we’ve written it. For now check out Zero Waste home for some thoughts