Plastic waste is flooding the world: plastic pollutes the water, gets stuck in food chains and lies around in mountains. Here are 15 tips on how to reduce plastic waste in your everyday life.
1. use reusable shopping bags: Always carry a reusable bag with you when you go shopping to avoid plastic bags.
2. use reusable water bottles: Avoid single-use plastic bottles and opt for reusable drinking bottles made of glass, stainless steel or BPA-free plastic.
3. buy loose food: When shopping, opt for loose food instead of packaged goods to reduce plastic packaging waste.
4. avoid disposable crockery and cutlery: use reusable plates, cups, cutlery and straws made from sustainable materials such as stainless steel or bamboo instead.
5. prepare your meals at home: avoid buying ready meals in plastic packaging by cooking yourself and taking your meals with you in reusable containers.
6. buy in bulk: opt for larger packaging or buy products in bulk to reduce packaging waste per unit.
7. choose products with minimal packaging: buy products that are offered in environmentally friendly packaging or without any packaging at all.
8. make your own cleaning products: Make your own cleaning products such as all-purpose cleaners or detergents to avoid plastic packaging.
9. use reusable storage containers: use reusable glass or stainless steel containers instead of disposable plastic containers to store food.
10. buy second-hand or swap: Consider buying second-hand products or swapping items with others to avoid new plastic waste.
11. avoid products with microplastics: Make sure you avoid products that contain microplastics, such as cosmetics and cleaning products.
12. use natural cleaning tools: Use natural cleaning tools such as sponges made from renewable raw materials instead of plastic sponges.
13. bring your own containers to the take-away: If you buy take-away food, bring your own containers to avoid disposable packaging.
14. recycle properly: Dispose of plastic waste properly and separate it for recycling to ensure that it can be recycled.
15. get involved in a plastic-free lifestyle: Find out about plastic-free alternatives and share your knowledge with others to raise awareness of the issue and promote sustainable change.
