It seems that these days we're all living crazy, hectic lives and we'll do almost anything to save a few minutes and relieve the pressure. From convenient micro-meals to pre-sliced veggies, the amount of plastic we're going through in our weekly shop all adds up.
If thinking about this brings you out in a cold sweat then good - admitting there's a problem is the first step to recovery, plastic recovery. Luckily for you we're here to help get your started with our top tips to help you reduce your plastic waste.
1. Take your own bag
This one’s easy – don’t buy or use plastic bags. Next time you go to the shop take your own reusable bag and ideally make it a canvass or cotton one like our lovely VÄRLDEN tote.
2. Don’t buy water in bottles
Landfills are literally over flowing with plastic water bottles and there’s really no need to buy them. If you’re lucky enough to live in a country where drinking water comes out of a tap, then problem solved – if you really don’t like the taste then invest in something like a BRITA Filter.
3. Stay away from pre-packaged veg
Buy loose fruit and veg where you can – it’s generally the cheaper option anyway. Refrain from using those horrid plastic sacks supermarkets have to bag them up too, trust me you don’t need them, the veg will make it home ok.
4. Ban ready meals
Let’s be honest, these things are terrible for us anyway – packed with E numbers and salt, not to mention the excess packaging. Home cooked is so much better but if time really is of the essence just quickly check that the packaging on the ready meal you’re buying is recyclable.
5. Say no to throw away party-ware
Ok so it’s not going to be on most people’s weekly shopping list but the things you’d typically buy when throwing a soiree are bad news for the environment. Plastic straws, cutlery and paper plates – we really don’t need these things. So crack out your crockery and simply wash up afterwards.
And remember …
Where you’ve not been able to avoid plastic it’s so important to recycle. Most cities have at home recycling collections and others have designated recycling centres.