This is why we have named this the ‘Eco Living Guide’. Be mindful of your own needs, and don't be afraid to put them first. NEVER feel bad about plastic waste when it comes to necessities such as medication, or things that are essential to you.
This is why it is everywhere and this is why I have tried to be aware that lower waste substitutes can have higher upfront costs (although you will often save money in the long run), and have tried to find cheaper but equally effective alternatives.
Simply making small efforts to change the habits you can will go a long way. If you yourself aren't currently able to make a particular swap, due to personal or financial reasons, why don't you encourage a friend or family member who may be able to instead?
No one is perfect and trying is a big step in the right direction! Remember that this is just a guide, it is not comprehensive nor do you need to follow every suggestion, just do what you can.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing Zero Waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Contrary to popular belief, most coffee cups can't be recycled. As takeaway culture has taken over our high streets, its worth considering the effect these single use plastics (yes, almost all takeaway coffee cups have a plastic lining) have on the environment. I go into more detail about this in another article, here, in case you want more information.
Until then, here is a summary of your easy-peasy options: Take your own cup! Pop one or two in your bag or car so you never forget one. Don't forget to find out if the coffee shop offers any perks for bringing your own!Research which coffee shops use recyclable or compostable takeaway cups and try to stick to those when you've forgotten your own cup. If you do need to use an ordinary take away cup, find somewhere that collects and recycles them.Finally, consider sitting in and using a china cup instead!
Straws are used for only moments and end up in landfill for hundreds of years. No doubt you have also seen the destruction they have caused in seas, and hopefully I need not remind you of the viral footage which showed a straw being pulled from a turtles nostril. Thankfully, this message seems to have hit home, and after the success of David Attenborough's Blue Planet a wave of straw rejection crossed the country. Many restaurants and cafes have now switched to paper straws in an effort to meet customer demand - look at what happens when public opinion changes! At home, use metal or glass straws instead, and take one with you in your bag (alongside your other reusable cutlery of course) if you're desperate enough!
Since the plastic bag charge came in in 2015, plastic bag sales have fallen by 86%. That being said, 1.04 billion plastic bags were sold by seven main supermarkets in 2017-18 and on average 19 bags were sold per person in the UK. This may be an improvement from 140 per person, but this is still not enough. Invest in a 'bag for life' and use it until it breaks, or even better, spend a little more on a canvas or more sturdy hemp bag that will biodegrade quicker if you do need to throw it away, and should last a lot longer. It is so easy to remember to take some bags when you are heading out to the supermarket (or even better - local greengrocer!), or keep a foldable keyring bag on your set of keys. Don't forget to remind your friends and family to do the same! It's often just a case of remembering to take them than a refusal to use them, find your own way to make sure you remember - be it a phone notification, a note by your door or keeping your bags somewhere you will always see them.
I go into more detail about this in a longer article here, so click through if you want a more in depth explanation of the negative aspects of plastic toothbrushes and some recommended alternatives. If you don't then all you need to know is that plastic toothbrushes are BAD and you shouldn't use one, and bamboo alternatives are GREAT and you should definitely start buying those instead.
Single-use plastic water bottles wreak havoc on the environment. In almost all European countries most tap water is drinkable (and non-drinkable tap water requires signage), so bottled water is really not necessary. Invest in a reusable water bottle and remember to fill it up before you leave the house in the morning. Apps like Refill indicate places to get free drinking water in the UK. In London, participating retailers will often have a sticker in the window, and the app has a good database for Cambridge too! When purchasing a reusable water bottle, really think about your needs for sizing and design, try to buy a bottle that will last you a good few years and a design you won't get fed up of. Best to buy are plain metal flasks, that can also be recycled at the end of their life, and will survive a good bashing. Buying flask style bottles also means you can keep your water cold, or ever use them to keep warm drink! Bear in mind water bottles also need a good wash and scrub every now and then, so think about getting a thin cleaning brush if you buy a bottle with a thin neck. If you tend to not drink tap water due to the taste, consider a bottle with a built-in filter to improve it, or a little basket to add fruit. For more information and some snazzy infographics head to https://greenerideal.com/infographics/the-environmental-impact-of-plastic-water-bottles/
Most kitchen sponges are very wasteful, they don't last very long and also harbour a lot of bacteria. They are also made of plastic, so don't break down when you throw them away. There are many alternatives to plastic scrubbers and sponges, which often last a lot longer, and will break down in landfill when they reach the end of their lives. If you prefer a scrubber with a good handle and bristles, wooden options are available, some of which have exchangeable heads so you don't have to throw the product away each time. An alternative that could last you a lot longer is a silicone scrubber. These are cheap and very long-lasting. They can also be put in the dishwasher to regularly disinfect them, so are more hygienic than most sponges. Although silicone is not as good for the environment as using natural materials, the durability of this product reduces the waste enough to weigh it out! Another option for complete zero-waste, is compostable scrubbers, made of sustainably sourced organic materials that can be cut up and disposed of in your own compost heap! These can be a little more expensive and harder to source, but are perfect for those looking for a zero-waste lifestyle.
