How else can you cut down on your plastic waste?
At the start of the month, we challenged you to two weeks of
challenges for Plastic Free July! As we approach the end of the month, we
explore what other ways we can cut down on plastic waste.
Plastic Free July and documentaries such as the BBC’s War on
Plastic have brought attention to how we should be cautious of committing to
“better recycling” of plastic. Most supermarkets have signed up to The UK
Plastics Pact, which means they’ve pledged that 100% of plastic packaging will
be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. However, more widely
recyclable plastic does not necessarily equal better for the planet. It may
trap us into thinking we can use as much plastic as we like – as, well, it’s
recyclable after all, isn’t it? Yet, as the BBC’s War on Plastic finds, our
focus should be on reducing, not just recycling because the process is never
100% clean, is costly and uses up a lot of energy.
To keep things simple, for us and for the planet, we’re
better off ditching plastic all together where we can! Explore our 100% plastic
free aisle HERE.
Week 3: Plastic-free on the go and in the home
Using your own carrier bags when out and about is a
no-brainer and many shops have ditched plastic bags in favour of paper. Reusable
coffee cups have also been around for a while, but how often do you forget to
bring one out? We know we often do – in fact, only 1 in 6 who own reusable cups say they remember to use them every time they buy a hot drink. So, we’re here to remind you! You can even
save yourself a few pennies every week since many coffee shops offer discounts
for bringing your own cup.
While they may be convenient, sadly a lot of on-the-go meal
deals are abound with plastic packaging. Changing up to homemade lunches can
help you reduce your plastic waste – plus, there’s endless delicious and
healthy options. Try out our yummy recipes below which are perfect for
batch-made lunches. Keep them in reusable containers in the fridge for that
same on the go convenience, just without the single-use plastic!
Roasted Mediterranean vegetable couscous
In the spirit of summer, whiz up our watermelon smoothie
recipe and serve in a pretty glass mason jar and garnish with mint for a
refreshing drink on a warm day. Often, blending up the ingredients yourself
feels more special than buying a smoothie, not to mention they’re heaps
healthier than supermarket ones that are full of sugars and preservatives.
Discover the full recipe HERE.
Week 4: Reward yourself with plastic-free treats
Going plastic-free doesn’t mean skimping out on your
favourite treats. In fact, many of your favourite local producers’ jams,
relishes and condiments already come in pretty glass jars. From Mrs
Darlington’s delicious preserves, jams and chutneys made to traditional recipes,
to a host of cheese truckles crafted by The Cheshire Cheese Company (think gin
& lemon, garlic & black pepper, and even chilli, lime & tequila,
plus many more!), going plastic-free can certainly be very rewarding…
And that’s not forgetting our glass bottled fizzy drinks.
Our retro fizzy drinks offer a taste of nostalgia and, along with your milk
bottles, can be popped back on your doorstep when they’re empty for your
milkman to collect. Explore our full range of plastic-free treats HERE!
Once you’re finished with your glass jars, the possibilities
are also endless! You can reuse your glass jars for overnight oats, serving up
crudites or to store homemade sauces.
Or why not get crafty with your jars? An afternoon of painting and crafts is a great way to get the kids creative over the summer holidays – a crafty glass makes for a lovely personalised penholder or storage! Used glass jars can also double up as makeshift lanterns with tealights. If you’re after a night of DIY relaxation, why not make a homemade face mask? After pampering, you can save the rest in a jar for later.
